Minister discourages removal of moose calves

Clyde Jackman, Minister of Environment and Conservation, today reminds the public that as the season of camping, fishing and other outdoor activities gets underway, this is also the season when people will encounter wildlife with their newborn young, or young animals on their own.

Each year government officials deal with moose calves and occasionally young of other species, removed from the woods by well-meaning people. "The removal of what the public assumes is abandoned wildlife is done with the best intentions in mind but the public�s desire to help nature in these situations is usually misplaced," said Minister Jackman. "These animals should be left where they are found unless an animal is obviously injured, or it is certain that the mother is dead."

Minister Jackman said the general public are putting themselves in a potentially dangerous situation by removing a moose calf which appears to be abandoned because its mother is off feeding or because a disturbance from people caused the mother to move a short distance away. People have been injured by female moose defending their calves.

Each year many young animals, including moose, taken from the woods are treated at the Salmonier Nature Park. Like most zoos and wildlife parks in Canada, Salmonier Nature Park has limited space to care for young moose. Releasing a calf back to the wild is usually inappropriate because the animal�s ability to survive is compromised.

Minister Jackman said the best thing the general public can do if they encounter a young moose or calf or other wildlife species while out in the woods, is to leave the animal in its natural surroundings. "You are not helping wildlife by taking them away from their environment", said the minister.

For more information, contact the Salmonier Nature Park at 729-7888 or visit online at: //www.gov.nl.ca/snp/

Media contact: Tina Coffey, Communications, (709) 729-5783, (709) 728-8650

2006 05 17                          3:25 p.m.