Outside a hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, a rare scene of a caribou mother giving birth to a calf was witnessed by many recently. The heartwarming moment unfolded in front of the Providence Alaska Medical Center, the largest hospital in Alaska, known primarily as a birthplace for babies, but on rare occasions, it becomes a perfect setting for the birth of wild animals as well.
On the morning of May 15th, a mother caribou was seen giving birth to her calf on the grassy area outside the hospital. Spectators inside the hospital captured the scene through the glass windows, including a woman named Louise. In a short video recorded by Louise, the caribou mother can be seen standing up shortly after the birth, licking and nursing her newborn calf.
Louise mentioned that she noticed a crowd as she walked towards the hospital’s coffee shop. Curious, she approached and witnessed the extraordinary sight of a caribou just giving birth to a calf. She expressed her excitement, stating that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The hospital’s emergency department manager, Michael Kubler, stated that while approximately 2,300 babies are born at the hospital each year, what they witnessed this time was truly remarkable. Welcoming new life on the grass is definitely an unusual experience.
Warning signs have been placed in the area by the hospital to alert people to the presence of the caribou mother and her calf still in the vicinity. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game noted that caribou can exhibit aggressive behavior during the calving season. On the morning of May 16th, the mother caribou charged at least one person.
Cory Stantorf, an official from the department, mentioned that this is one of the times of the year when mother caribou become particularly defensive in protecting their calves. He explained that with the calf being unable to stand, run fast, or keep up with the mother, their defense mechanism is to defend anything approaching the calf.
Fortunately, the mother caribou selected a good spot for giving birth, at the back of the building, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt the flow of people entering and exiting. The hospital is keeping a close eye on their safety to ensure the mother and calf can peacefully acclimate during this period.
Kubler reminded the public that the hospital is a healthcare facility and not a tourist spot. However, if people happen to be at the hospital, perhaps they can safely observe the caribou mother and calf from a distance at the coffee shop.