Reindeer Farm adopts moose calf

BUTTE — The Reindeer Farm has a special new member of their furry family, a moose calf named Lilly.

Lilly is just a little over three weeks old, according to the farm manager Lauren Waite. She said they acquired her from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game after she was found on a beach in Ninilchik towards the beginning of the month.

"We're not going to say no, obviously. It's a baby that needs a home," Waite said.

Moose learn to walk immediately after birth, usually within an hour. The adolescent animal is growing quickly, gaining about two pounds a day during the nursing period.

"She'll be taller than me by September," Waite said.

According to Waite, a full grown moose typically consumes about 200 pounds of food a day and a large portion of that diet consists of willows. She said something they really enjoy as a treat is fireweed.

"It's like moose cotton candy," Waite said.

Waite said they're planning to introduce Lilly to their other resident moose Lucy during the fall. She said that moose are normally solitary animals in the wild but they usually do well together in captivity.

"Moose are usually pretty low drama," Waite said.

Lucy joined the Reindeer Farm three years ago. She said her full name is Lucille Ball, based on the iconic actress from "I Love Lucy." She said they decided to name their newest moose Lilly because the alliteration sounds good with Lucy.

"They're special," Waite said. "We're really happy to have Lilly and Lucy here."

The Reindeer Farm has a special permit that allows them to raise rescued moose on the property. Waite said they've had seven moose stay on the farm since the 1990s. She said that having moose on the farm was always a part of her grandfather, Tom Williams' original vision.

"We love the moose. It always reminds me of my grandpa," Wait said. "His dream was actually to have a moose farm before we had a reindeer farm."

There are currently two moose living at the Reindeer Farm. Waite said they had a bull moose named Rocky but he died last fall.

"I'm still sad about it. They're special to us," Waite said.

Guests cannot per the moose, but they observe both moose and even feed them with staff/volunteer guidance anytime during their visit at the Reindeer Farm. Waite said being able to safely observe moose is a rare opportunity that delights many who find out it's possible.

"Everybody in Alaska loves moose," Waite said. "They're just so beautiful and they're really sweet too."

Reindeer and moose are far from the only animals that can be found at the Reindeer Farm. Visitors have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals including chickens, horses, pigs, bison, alpacas, yaks, and Highland cattle.

"We're just animal lovers," Waite said. "We love having a variety of different animals here. We also know that people are pleasantly surprised to find out we have more than reindeer here."

The Reindeer Farm now offers self guided tours during the summer. Guests can wander around with their friends and family at their own pace. There is also a new area dedicated to children that has a hay bale maze, a playground, and other fun features.

"We want people to feel welcome," Waite said.

For more information, reindeerfarm.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com