MOOSE RESPONSES TO WILDLIFE VIEWING AND TRAFFIC STIMULI
Abstract
We examined behavioral response of moose to wildlife viewers and traffic stimuli at a moose viewing blind located on a roadside salt lick in northern New Hampshire during summer, 1997-1999. Feeding, fleeing, alertness, looking, grooming, and moving were measured relative to a standard viewer and a variety of stimuli associated with viewers and traffic. In general, moose were reasonably tolerant of most stimuli as moose never fled the lick > 15% of the time. Educational material likely influenced viewer behavior. Stimuli that caused a reduction in feeding and increased fleeing were loud viewers, cars stopped, and trucks passing, as well as combinations of stimuli including these factors. Viewing satisfaction and impacts can be addressed by considering these findings at moose viewing sites.
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