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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo welcomes orphaned Alaska moose calf

Moose calf arrives at Cheyenne Mt. Zoo
Posted at 9:54 AM, Jul 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-15 18:25:22-04

COLORADO SPRINGS — The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has welcomed an orphaned, 8-week-old Alaska moose calf.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said Wednesday that the moose has arrived in Colorado Springs and is doing great.

Visitors could see the new arrival Wednesday as "he'll have access to his barn and a small part of the yard, close to the porcupine habitat, which has great viewing opportunities for guests."

Zoo officials said the moose was orphaned when it was 6 days old after its mother died in a "human-wildlife contact" in Anchorage, Alaska.

"Moose are extremely rare in zoos, and this arrival comes only two months after the loss of the Zoo’s beloved 12-year-old Canada moose, Tahoma," the zoo said ahead of the Alaska moose's arrival Wednesday.

The zoo reported in May that the decision was made to humanely euthanize moose Tahoma, less than two weeks shy of his 13th birthday.

Tahoma experienced chronic arthritic pain and other conditions that could no longer be controlled with medication and treatment. The zoo said he passed peacefully on a soft bed of cedar shavings, surrounded by his loving keepers and vet staff.