Man 1, Moose 0 In Alaska

Pilots flying into the Wasilla Municipal Airport north of Anchorage, AK now have one less thing to be (quite as) worried about: the area's large moose population should now stay far away from the field's runway.

That's because of an electrified 'anti-moose mat' surrounding the field. Similar in concept to grated cattle guards that keep ranch cattle off highways, the barrier is designed to keep local wildlife far away from aircraft utilizing the airport's 3700 ft. runway.

"They'd feel a shock and they'd also hear a snap. Those two things would cause the moose to not go in there," said Archie Giddings, public works director for Wasilla, according to Reuters. 

Workers have regularly had to chase moose off the airfield, said Giddings, and the wily creatures have also learned how to get through the gates and fence surrounding the airport.

Now, the large animals (see photo above for a size comparison) should have sufficient motivation to root for food elsewhere. Good thing, too, as an airplane vs. moose collision would be disastrous for both parties involved.

"If they ever did come to the runway and have a collision... an airplane could disintegrate if it hits a moose," said Giddings.

FMI: www.airnav.com/airport/PAWS