Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/375259
drive smart Of Moose and Motorists Tracking moose movements to make our roads safer by Lawrence Herzog lars ardarve f a l l 2 0 1 4 | W E S T W O R L D 39 Last year we reported on new initiatives to control the province's burgeoning moose population as well as public awareness campaigns to help motorists be more mindful of the hazards on our roads. Here's the latest update. U sing satellite-based GPS collars, the Sas- katchewan Farmland Moose Project is track- ing the movements of 50 of the large ungulates. Coordinated by a team from the University of Saskatchewan, with the support of the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment and Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF), the four- year research program began last year and is aimed at identifying key habitats and movement patterns for farmland moose. "We're working to identify areas with a high risk of moose-vehicle collisions," says Dr. Ryan Brook, moose project director at the University of Saskatchewan. Findings from the study will help the province develop a long-term moose management strategy. It's just one of several initiatives now underway in the province to tackle the challenges of a growing and spreading moose population. Over the past 30 years, moose have expanded their range from the boreal for- est in northern Saskatchewan into the parkland regions and farmlands of the south. e population of about 50,000 is now spread throughout the province. As moose have migrated into more populated areas, there's been an increase in collisions. There were 532 registered collisions with moose in 2013, resulting in total claims of nearly $3.6 million, reports Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI). Because moose are large, weighing up to 600 kilo- grams, and long-legged, they sometimes come crash- ing right into the passenger compartment during a collision, making them more dangerous than deer and elk. In the past eight years, at least 14 people have died in motor vehicle accidents with moose. "Moose like to travel at dusk and in the overnight hours, and that makes them even harder for drivers to see," says Darrell Crabbe, executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation. "At this time of year, fall rutting season, the bulls are on the move looking for cows to mate." Rob Tether, wildlife biologist with the Saskatche- wan Ministry of Environment, calls moose "selective generalists" when it comes to eating. "ey can adapt to different food sources. eir thick coats mean they cannot stand too much heat, so they need a water source. If they've got food, water and shelter, they are happy to stay." With moose now frequenting roads province- wide, public awareness of the hazards is crucial. e Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation's Moose on the Loose campaign is aimed at urging motorists to slow down and stay alert. Saskatchewan's moose population is controlled through hunting, with licences handed out in the big game draw. "We're targeting areas where the wildlife population is still growing and where the greatest hazards exist," Tether says. e province's long-term goal is to stabilize the moose population at about 50,000. "The moose collaring project has mostly tagged cows to this point, and we're looking at targeting young bulls," Crabbe says. "We're seeing interest in this project from across Canada and are helping Dr. Brook identify additional funding." Hunters are being asked to refrain from shooting animals collared by the Farmland Moose Project. e moose can be identified by their white collars and clearly visible ear tags. Regular updates on the project are available online at facebook.com/Saskatchewan FarmlandMooseProject. W BE MOOSE AWARE Remember that moose are often on the move from sunset to sunrise. • Scan the roadsides for moose, and watch out for their distinctive "white socks." • Be aware of moose habitat hot spots. • Pay particular attention near coulees and valleys. • Slow down when you see a moose crossing the road, as others could be in the area. Sources: Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation, SGI