Moose Study Helps Reduce Collisions with Autos

Posted Saturday May 27, 2017 by wf_admin

Noticing an increase in moose mortality, biologists at Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge asked Wildlife Forever for help. More than 350 moose spend their winters at the refuge. When a nearby highway was expanded to four lanes, auto traffic increased in speed and volume, resulting in a subsequent increase in moose-auto accidents. Wildlife Forever agreed to help with a crucial research project to study moose movements in an effort to reduce accidents — a decision that “got the whole project of the ground,” according to wildlife biologist Mark Masteller. Drugs to capture cow moose were purchased, and the captured moose were radio collared so their movements could be monitored. By determining the direction moose enter the refuge and the regions from which they travel, biologists were better able to manage the population and reduce collisions with automobiles.