REVIEW OF THE HISTORY AND PRESENT STATUS OF MOOSE IN THE NATIONAL PARKS OF THE ATLANTIC REGION: MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS?

Abstract

Moose (Alces alces americana) where reported to be relatively common and widespread in Canada’s Maritime provinces (New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia) but absent in Newfoundland when European explorers arrived. Their distribution and abundance were to change dramatically as human settlement and land use spread across the region. In New Brunswick, moose became so scarce that hunting seasons were closed by 1937. When Fundy National Park was established in 1948 the moose population there was estimated at 160 animals, growing to 260 during the 1950’s but declining to 130 in the 1960’s and to 40 by 1970 where it may remain today. Kouchibouguac National Park had a moose population estimated at 30 animals when it was established in 1979, however with protection, the herd has grown to over 100 moose. On Prince Edward Island moose had disappeared by 1900, long before a national park was established there in 1937. Moose numbers declined in the area of Nova Scotia which became Kejimkujuk National Park in 1974 and are rare today. Moose became rare on Cape Breton Island by 1900 and were extirpated by 1924. Cape Breton Highlands National Park was established in 1936 and moose were successfully reintroduced to the park in 1947/48 with the release of 18 moose belonging to the andersoni sub-species. Present population densities for the area exceed 5.0 km² in some forest types. Moose were successfully introduced to Newfoundland in 1904 and increased so dramatically that a moose hunting season was possible by 1935. A healthy population existed when Terra Nova National Park was established in 1957 and remains at a stable density of 0.4 moose /km² today. Gros Morne National Park was established in 1973; the moose population was estimated at 0.4 animals /km² in 1977. Protection and favourable habitat have allowed the population to grow to densities of almost 7.0 moose /km² in lowland areas. Sport hunting is not permitted in national parks, which are managed to maintain ecosystems in as natural a state as possible, unimpaired by human activities. However, where man has seriously altered the structure and function of park ecosystems, intervention to restore natural processes is permitted. The gray wolf (Canis lupus) was extirpated in Atlantic Canada by 1920. The non-native Status of moose in Newfoundland and the loss of the wolf, a natural control of moose populations, could be considered a serious alteration of natural processes presenting an interesting challenge to modern policy and management of national parks.