Moose dies at school; students disciplined

PALMER — On Monday, a moose died at Colony Middle School, but questions remain regarding its death.

Before teachers realized there was a moose on the grounds, a class of eighth-graders was released for P.E., said Mat-Su School District spokeswoman Catherine Esary. By all accounts, a group of students proceeded to taunt the moose, said Esary.

Two to three minutes after the class was let out, the teacher saw the moose, caught the students who were taunting it, and sent the rest of the class inside, Esary said. She would not be more specific about what exactly the students did.

An Alaska State Trooper responded to the school. According to spokeswoman Megan Peters, the trooper arrived right as the students were let out. The moose was injured upon his arrival and was so frightened it threw itself into a wall repeatedly until it died, Peters said.

The administrators have taken the necessary disciplinary actions, but Esary would not give any more details about the number of students or their punishment.

“People will say, ‘Nothing’s being done,’” said Esary. “That’s not true. But to protect the students’ privacy, I cannot discuss specific things.”

The principal held an assembly to reinforce proper actions and behavior around moose, actions and behaviors the students already knew, said Esary.