Moose study

Moose summer diet study underway

May 13, 2022 | 12:18 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – There are reports of moose dying of apparent starvation in some areas of north-central B.C.

So, with support from the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, the Macleod Lake Mackenzie Community Forest, UNBC is leading a project to identify the plants and habitats moose rely on to survive during the summer.

UNBC Biologist Dr. Roy Rea and his team will analyze moose scat to identify essential plants to the moose diet.

The research goal is to determine essential habitats and improve understanding of the animal’s summer diets.

According to Dr. Rea, the growth of summer foods is vital to moose as it allows moose to build their body mass to survive northern B.C. winters sufficiently.

The research will also help the UNBC team determine what can be done to ensure plant habitats important to moose and be considered in forest management plans.

The project is scheduled to be complete in the spring of 2023.