If you remember last Fall’s warning from Finland that September is the top month for car-and-moose collisions, you might be thinking, “well, we’re past that,” but maybe we’re not. There’s a new warning about young moose in the Springtime.
Apparently, Spring and early Summer are when young moose begin moving independently and searching for new homes—occasionally wandering onto roads or into inhabited areas. According to Antti Rinne, whose title at the Finnish Wildlife Agency is ‘Moose Management Area Planner,’ “Usually, it’s a young moose that has just separated from its mother. It can appear confused and curious near settlements.”
Animals in unfamiliar environments may act unpredictably, he said. If startled, they may flee in a random direction, creating danger for both motorists and the animal. The agency wants to hear from the public when this happens; the police and Large Game Response Units try to guide the animal to safer areas.
But collisions happen, and all are required to be reported to emergency services, since even a minor collision can seriously injure the animal. “Without a report, an injured animal might be left to suffer if tracking can’t begin in time,” Rinne said.
Once alerted, SRVA personnel are dispatched to the scene. If the animal has died, it will be retrieved. If injured, trained dogs are used to track the animal. If necessary, it is euthanized for humane reasons.
