Moose

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At the end of the Western Brook Pond tour, two moose calves were feeding near the visitor's center. These beautiful animals were not stressed by the tourists. They continued observing the humans and drinking water for about ten minutes until we'd all had a chance to take their photograph. Approximately 40,000 moose calves are born in Newfoundland each year. Moose cows and calves do not grow antlers and bulls only have them during the rutting season each autumn.

The same moose calves before one returned to the forest.

Moose are not native to the island of Newfoundland but were introduced in 1878. While this attempt failed, four more moose from New Brunswick were introduced in 1904. This second attempt was successful beyond their wildest dreams and in 2001 the moose population was numbered at 150,000. According to research carried out in the park, the moose population at Gros Morne stands between 7,000 and 8,000 animals, the densest population anywhere in the world. Because of isolation, nine of the fourteen land mammals are different from their mainland relatives. New species are still finding their way to the island.

While touring Trout River, the guide pointed out a heard of five moose part way up the mountain. This photo shows two bulls and one cow. We watched the animals with binoculars before the boat tour resumed. Each adult moose weighs from 453 to 816 K (1000 to 1800 pounds) and eats up to 136 K (300 pounds) of vegetation a week. There is concern the ecological balance of the island may change as many balsam fir and hardwood shoots are devoured before they mature. Each year a government regulated moose hunt helps assure a healthy moose population.

White moose are rare. These are not albino moose. It is presumed that some moose turn gray as they age.