Complex criteria needed to help mainland moose thrive in N.S.
What would Nova Scotia look like without mainland moose?
Biologists in the province are doing everything they can to prevent a future without them.
Species-at-risk biologist and mainland moose recovery team leader Mark McGarrigle estimates Nova Scotia’s moose population at about 1,000 animals or less.
According to a 2021 report prepared for the Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables, “moose is considered nationally and provincially/territorially secure throughout Canada except for Nova Scotia” since 2003.
From data gathered from 1999 to 2011, the report also says “mainland moose have retained a similar distribution since the 1960s, with localized groups occupying the northern Cobequid Hills and Pictou-Antigonish Highlands, the southwestern interior in and around the Tobeatic Wildlife Management Area and scattered pockets along the eastern shores of Guysborough, Halifax, Shelburne, Queens and Yarmouth counties.”
Although moose do not have known natural predators, humans have been the cause of some of the population decline. Since Nova Scotia’s populations are so low, a moose sighting brings a good amount of attention. One person revealing the location of an animal can lead poachers to their target.
Nova Scotia has some significant biological threats as well, some of which impact moose habitat and others that endanger the species themselves. McGarrigle says populations have been in considerable decline during the past 90 years.
“We would have had significant habitat changes, not just in Nova Scotia but elsewhere. It would have resulted in considerable population declines,” McGarrigle says. “But in some cases, populations may have dropped to the point where it’s just a harder recovery trying to bring the numbers back up.”
Between 1947 and 1948, 18 moose from Alberta were moved to Cape Breton to aid population growth. McGarrigle says implementing new animals into Nova Scotia would not work for two reasons: these moose from Alberta are a different subspecies than the mainland moose. If Albertan moose breed with mainland moose, the species could be eradicated. Also, if the province’s threats are not managed, these new moose will soon suffer the same fate as their endangered predecessors.
McGarrigle says one of the biggest threats to moose populations in Nova Scotia is a parasite called brain worm. It’s transmitted to moose from white tailed deer. This parasite is passed to snails through the deer’s feces.
Snails then get into contact with vegetation which is then eaten by moose.
McGarrigle says when deer are infected, they do not experience any issues. They have lived with this parasite through generations and have
since adapted. Moose have not been exposed to this parasite for as long. Once infected with brain worm, moose experience neurological issues that impact their function and the animal cannot recover from the damage. There is no threat to humans but for moose, it is fatal.
Only two parks in Atlantic Canada have captive moose. The Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park and Twin Rivers Wildlife Park in Cape Breton. Twin Rivers currently has one male moose in its park and Shubenacadie has one female moose. Both came from Newfoundland. Although they are not the same subspecies of mainland moose, they give their keepers an idea of how difficult it is for moose to thrive.
Shubenacadie used to be home to a bull moose alongside their current animal. Although it was not the park’s intention to breed the animals, they did not deter them from mating. The female moose gave birth to twins on May 12, 2018. Unfortunately, both calves were born with poor immune systems and a failure to thrive. The park’s staff did everything they could but the animals could not recover from multiple infections and were humanely euthanized within a year.
As the largest animal in the deer family, moose need plenty of habitat area. Education co-ordinator Bronwynne Conrad-Martin says moose “need a lot more space than really any other species ... in Nova Scotia.”
Moose need the ability to move around and access different plant types to thrive.
Vegetation is important for moose in terms of habitat and food. Conrad-Martin says moose need a combination of regenerating forest for food, like maple, aspen or birch saplings ranging from five to 10 years old. They also need mature foliage to help shield them from the elements.
McGarrigle says another big stressor moose experience is temperature. These animals need the ability to regulate their temperature with what McGarrigle calls “thermal refuges” which is cover from deep snow in winter and shade for the summer. Incorporating wetlands in moose habitats is also important as they help cool down the animal.
McGarrigle and his team are currently focusing on fixing road density. When roads are created, animal habitats are diminished and fragmented which can lead to vehicle collisions involving moose. Roads also allow access to these areas and McGarrigle says “with access comes disturbance.” Not only from poachers but moose are susceptible to light and noise stressors as well.