NLIS 14
May 17, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
 

Tourism, Culture and Recreation discourages removal of moose calves

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation reminds people as the season of camping, fishing and other outdoor pursuits kicks off, this is also the season when people will encounter wildlife with their newborn or young animals who appear to be on their own. Every year government officials have to deal with moose calves, and occasionally other young animals, removed from the woods by well-meaning people.

If people remove a calf which appears to be abandoned because its mother is off feeding, or because a disturbance caused the mother to move a short distance away, they are putting themselves in considerable danger. A mother moose, sensing that her calf is threatened, may attack and cause considerable injury to someone. Such instances have occurred in the past.

Only if a calf is obviously injured, or if you are certain that the mother is dead, is there any reason to do something about it. In addition to moose calves, this rule should also be applied to other wildlife species. In such cases people should contact a conservation officer or the Salmonier Nature Park.

Many calves taken from the woods go to the Salmonier Nature Park each year. Despite the fact that a considerable effort is involved, it is impossible to raise them all. Even if they are successfully raised, the problem of what to do with them still exists. Like most zoos and wildlife parks in Canada, Salmonier Nature Park has a very limited capacity to raise moose.

Releasing a calf back to the wild is usually inappropriate, because the animal�s ability to survive is compromised. Hand-rearing makes the animal quite tame, and it is likely it would end up as a nuisance or even cause a highway accident, if released. Therefore people are asked to please leave young moose or any young animal where they are. These animals must stay in their natural surroundings to ensure that they live long healthy lives.

For more information, contact:

Tammy Keats, Manager (A), Salmonier Nature Park, (709) 729-6974 or (709) 229-7189

Mac Pitcher, Animal Curator, Salmonier Nature Park, (709) 729-6974 or (709) 229-7189

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2002 05 17                           4:45 p.m.


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