Moose crossing
Residents in Abercrombie continue to report sightings
Young male making the rounds in Abercrombie; wildlife officials suggest people should be respectful, keep their distance
Alec Anderson has lived on Smith Lane in Abercrombie for about 55 years, and while deer are always plentiful, this is the first time he’s seen a moose in the neighbourhood.
For about a month, a young moose has been hanging out in the area. “He hasn’t been here in the last day or two,” said Anderson, whose property has a willow tree that the moose likes to eat. “I came out one night… and he was munching away.”
Melissa Grant lives across the street and said Anderson’s field seem to be the moose’s favourite spot. She said he eats bark off the trees and even sleeps there.
She said the moose was a novelty at first – her three-yearold son likes to look at it from a distance – but now she’s more surprised when she doesn’t see it. “It was exciting the first time, but now we’ve seen it so much.”
Her sister Sarah Grant said: “It’s small, but I still wasn’t ready for how big it is.”
Melissa added that while it’s a small moose, it’s still a big animal – bigger than a horse.
Nancy Strickland, who lives farther down the road, said the moose has been in her yard about four times – appearing for a few days, going elsewhere for several days and then returning. She said a lot of cars have been driving up and down the lane looking for it.
“We see deer all the time, but never a moose. It’s just so rare.”
After examining a photo of the Abercrombie moose, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources biologist Shavonne Meyer said it’s a young male mainland moose, about two years old.
She said the low population density of moose on the mainland makes it less likely that one of the animals would stay around a residential area for this length of time, but it’s not unheard of.
“Moose and deer alike are not always deterred by presence of people, especially in residential areas that have the trees and habitat features that attract moose,” she said.
Meyer said the peninsular areas surrounding Pictou Harbour are known traditional moose grounds, and despite the small numbers of mainland moose, sightings are still reported every year.
“The moose will likely move on with seasonal changes. Food sources, like deliberate feeding or ornamental trees and shrubs, can attract moose.”
Grant said she’s seen people get a little too close to the wild animal, which makes her nervous.
Meyer said bull moose should be respected, and people should keep their distance, as they can be dangerous at times, especially if sick, injured, in poor body condition, or when they feel threatened. “Residents should refrain from approaching, baiting, feeding, calling, or provoking the animal in any way.”
She noted that the mainland moose is an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, and any interference with it could be considered harassment, which is illegal. She recommends that people keep a good distance away, out of respect for the animal and as a public safety precaution.
DNR advises people to call the department’s toll free hotline (1-800-565-2224) for any immediate concerns about public safety, illegal activity, or the animal’s welfare.
“Otherwise, residents are encouraged to enjoy the rare sighting from a distance and continue to report sightings about the moose’s whereabouts and DNR will continue to monitor the situation,” she said.