Moose cull
Almost three-dozen moose claimed in Parks Canada population-reduction initiative
Parks Canada thins out the herd in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
There are fewer moose on the loose in northern Cape Breton following the latest population reduction harvest of the large ungulate.
Parks Canada announced on Thursday that 35 moose were harvested in a “humane and respectful manner” during the four-week cull that wrapped up on Dec. 1. Last year’s harvest yielded 50 moose, while in 2015 there were 37 moose taken down.
The harvest, carried out by Mi’kmaq hunting parties, is part of Parks Canada’s “Bring Back the Boreal” initiative in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The pilot restoration project was launched four years ago after it was determined a hyper-abundance of moose was threatening the area’s fragile ecological system.
Parks Canada conservation officer Derek Quann said all reports indicate the harvest was successful in its defined 20-square-kilometre area on North Mountain.
“Operationally, the population reduction on North Mountain went extremely well, it went safely, and we achieved our objective,” said Quann, who added that with no predation, except for the highland’s harsh winters, the largest member of the deer family is likely to continue to destroy its own habitat unless there is an intervention.
“The reduction of populations is something that is done by Parks Canada in situations of absolute necessity after considering the ecological impacts and the various feasible options that present themselves for giving population reductions.”
While the number of moose harvested sounds high, it is estimated there are about 5,000 in Cape Breton, with close to 40 per cent of those found in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
According to research conducted by Parks Canada, there are approximately 1.9 moose per square kilometre in the park, a figure that is four times greater than what the habitat can support.
While this year’s harvest is over, Quann said Parks researchers are still waiting for the result of an aerial survey of the harvest area.
“When we have those results we’ll be able to speak a bit more inclusively to achieving all of the objectives, but for sure, we noticed that as the operation proceeded, we certainly achieved what we wanted to see in the field in respect to depletion,” he said.
The bodies of the harvested animals will not go to waste, as the meat is being distributed to both Mi’kmaq and non-mi’kmaq communities, while the hides and other materials are being used by elders to make clothing and other traditional items.
While the harvest, which has raised its share of controversy, may be the most talked about measure, other components of the project include tree planting and building fences to keep moose from browsing young trees.