Residents warned not to approach moose calves

The Department of Natural Resources today warned residents not to approach or interact with what may appear to be stray or abandoned moose calves, which are commonly sighted this time of year, in the best interest of the animal.

"Moose calves are cute and approachable, but they are still wild animals and should always be treated as such," Natural Resources Minister Ed Byrne said. "Calves are about two to three weeks old this time of year and are totally dependent on their mothers. Any human contact may force the mothers to abandon them and they can�t survive at this stage on their own."

Young moose calves are friendly and curious as they explore their new surroundings, but human contact seldom has a happy ending for these calves. The province�s conservation officers know from experience that moose calves seldom survive without their mothers. In many cases the mother may actually be close by, but human contact by well-intentioned people may actually force the calf to be abandoned by its mother.

Anyone who encounters a moose calf that appears to be abandoned should immediately call their local forestry/wildlife office. Trained conservation officers can attempt to reunite the calf with its mother, or attempt to make other arrangements to save the animal.

Conservation officers successfully transported a stray young male calf to the Salmonier Nature Park�s animal care facility earlier this month after several attempts to reunite it with its mother were unsuccessful. The calf had wandered onto personal property near Springdale. The animal was taken to the local forestry/wildlife office and, after regaining its strength, made the six-hour trip to the Salmonier Nature Park. The animal was stressed after its ordeal, but is recovering. The park is currently caring for three male moose orphans at its animal care facility, which is off limits to the public. The moose calves will be accessible to the public when they are older.

If anyone encounters a young moose calf, call the local forestry/wildlife office immediately to request the assistance of a conservation officer.

Photo #1: This male moose calf wandered onto personal property on Little Bay Road, near Springdale, in early June. After several attempts to reunite it with its mother, conservation officers transported it to the local forestry/wildlife office to regain its strength. The animal made the six-hour trip to the Salmonier Nature Park the following day. The animal is recovering from its ordeal.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 690-1703

2006 06 14                       2:00 p.m.