A female moose probably was just as baffled as the patients and staff when it walked into a hospital, causing quite a stir.
The sizeable animal got into the Providence Health Park in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, April 6, and wandered into the building's lobby for a while.
Patients, staff, and security officers were all stunned as she then began munching on some decorative plants by the entrance.
Videos of the incident quickly went viral on social media, with one person exclaiming, "There's a moose in our hospital, guys!" and "It's just chillin'. Hungry."
According to the staff at the hospital, the deer relative walked in through the front door of the lobby after sighting decorative potted plants through the panels of glass on the front of the building.
Once inside, the moose walked straight up to what appeared to be a type of umbrella tree and sampled a few of the stems. As it ate, patients, healthcare staff, and security officers watched in amazement.
Some bystanders tried to coax the moose towards the building's exit by pushing large pieces of furniture, such as couches and chairs, towards it.
Others even picked up broken branches off the lobby floor to tempt the moose with a treat. Eventually, the moose walked towards the door and went back outside. Bystanders then cheered at the security officers' efforts.
The moose is likely female as it doesn't have the distinctive broad antlers that adult males are, although it could also be a young male.
Moose may look cute and cuddly, but they can be extremely dangerous. In fact, more people are injured by moose than bears in Alaska each year.
Alaska's Department of Fish and Game advises that moose will usually flee when threatened but they can become aggressive when they are harassed by people, dogs, and traffic.
The moose may also attack when they feel hungry and tired, especially during this time of the winter when they must walk through deep snow.
They are also dangerous particularly during their breeding season in the early autumn, and people can be hurt when they charge, stomp and kick to protect themselves or their young.
A moose that is ready to attack will raise the long hairs on the hump on its back and it may lick its lips too — but “if you can see this, you are way too close.”
The department also reminds that it is illegal to feed wildlife, as well as dangerous.
The department shares an educational video produced in collaboration with middle school students at Mirror Lake Middle School, aimed at teaching young Alaskans how to co-exist with the large animals.
The programme is hosted by student narrators and a guest biologist offers advice for staying safe around moose.
