Biologist Says Anchorage Moose Fence Could Increase Crashes

A state agency opposes another agency's proposed fence to keep moose off a stretch of road in Anchorage.
   
Alaska wildlife biologist Jessy Coltrane of the Department of Fish and Game says erecting a fence to keep moose off Minnesota Drive and O'Malley Road could hurt the animals and could even increase the number of collisions with cars.
   
Coltrane says her agency opposes the plan by the state Department of Transportation and has provided comments to traffic planners.
   
The Anchorage Daily News says traffic planners estimate the fence would cut the number of vehicle-moose collisions in half.
   
Coltrane says the project would not reduce the risk to moose or drivers because the sections of fence have to open at intersections along the five-mile stretch.