Hope for the Wild Moose in a warming climate

The thermometer is showing minus 30 degrees celcius (-22F) and most animals are hibernating or snuggled up in their nests, but the Wild Moose roams the Arctic forests as matter of course. It has been doing this for thousands of years, and is perfectly built for the extreme temperatures of the Arctic. But what happens to the Wild Moose as the temperature is rising due to climate changes?

The Bardufoss Region is one of the locations in the Arctic with the highest density of Wild Moose. In winter the valleys of Målselv in the Bardufoss Region is home to more than a thousand moose, and the chance of getting a glimpse of these majestic inhabitants is very high. This iconic species of the northern forests is facing several challenges due to the continuous changes in the climatic conditions. However, with knowledge and cleverness there is a great hope of keeping the Wild Moose as a part of the rich fauna of the Arctic.

Winter coat

The physiology of the Wild Moose has been nearly unchanged for five thousand years. It is built for extreme conditions. Their winter coats works as a perfect layer of insulation to keep the heat trapped in their bodies, so that when the snow falls on their fur the snow will not melt, and their bodies stay dry. Exactly like your down parka! The Wild Moose has long and thin legs to stay out of the deep snow, and to protect their legs fruther from the cold the lower parts have low muscle mass. So the moose will manage to keep the heat loss to a minimum even during the coldest of winter. Their food mainly consist of twigs and shoots, and unlike the Reindeer the moose will not have to dig through the snow to find food. It even has the ability to go into “energy saving mode” in cold periods by lowering their body temperature and heart rate.

New opportunities and threats

In a warming climate the Wild Moose will experience both new opportunities but it will also uncover new potential threats. Areas which has earlier been inaccessible to the moose due to the lack of vegetation will possibly create larger habitats. In addition, rising temperatures will cause earlier snow melting which will affect the food accessibility in critical period after a harsh winter.

As the Wild Moose is on the lookout for new potential grazing areas, it will also experience increased competition from other species. A warmer climate in the Arctic will welcome other deer species like the Red Deer and Roe Deer. Over time this can result in a reduced Wild Moose population. The current population of Wild Moose is very healty and well managed, so the migration of other deer species into the Arctic will cause a great threat to the Moose by bringing increased competition and new diseases.

Disease spreading

Parasites and many diseases are more easily spred between populations but also across species when the temperature is higher. The Wild Moose is already prone to fleas and ticks. This can cause anemia and other health issues, even death. A mild winter increase the survival rate of parasites, which in turn can lead to a decreased Wild Moose population and ability to survive in changed conditions.

Conservation

Populations of Wild Moose in the Arctic is carefully managed by the governments, and is considered high priority for managing wildlife in total. The moose populations in Norway are surveilled and regularly counted to create the best regulations for moose hunting. Authorities, scientists, hunters, and preserving organizations work together to develop the best measures to help the Wild Moose populations stay strong and healthy during times of climate change.

Symbol

The Wild Moose is not just a symbolic species for the northern areas, it also plays a large role in our ecosystems. To preserve the King of the Arctic forests is crucial to sustain the balance of the Arctic nature.