OBSERVATIONS OF PRE- AND POST-PARTUM BEHAVIOUR OF MOOSE IN CENTRAL ONTARIO

• Main Authors: Addison, E. M., McLaughlin, R. F., Fraser, D. J. H., Buss, M. E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1993
• Subjects: Many Islands; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/975

During May, 1981-1984, observations of female moose (Alces alces americana) with neonates were recorded on 55 occasions. Presence of parturient but no non-parturient adult moose on islands is consistent with moose selecting islands for calving. Alternative explanations for this distribution are discussed. Newborn calves were first observed between May 11 and 16. Thirteen females arrived on islands a maximum of 1.5-7 days prior to being found there with calves. Many islands and some of the same bedding sites were used in more than one year but not always by the same moose. Scratch holes at calving sites were created by moose and may constitute territorial marking. Birthing membranes observed may have been expelled a number of days after parturition. Meconium and other calf feces were seldom present.