Moose Cull Needed in Newfoundland

Background information

There are approximately 600-800 moose-vehicle collisions (MVCs) per year in insular Newfoundland resulting in an average 2 human fatalities annually.  Collisions with moose result in human injury, fatalities and millions of dollars of property damage each year. 

Moose densities in Newfoundland

Moose are not a native species on the island of Newfoundland.  Government introduced them in 1904.  They have no natural predators here.  At the time of introduction, the wolf was being extirpated. 

Our island environment is congenial to moose population growth.  Nature has taken her expected course, impeded only by a government hunting management policy which has been unequal to the task of containing the burgeoning moose population.

Newfoundland has become home to a disproportionately large part of the North American moose population, representing >10% of the total number of moose with <2% of the species range.  Moose densities in Newfoundland are reported to be the highest in North America. According to current estimates approximately 125,000-150,000 moose live in Newfoundland today. This is not only the largest density of moose in North America but worldwide.  Moose numbers in Newfoundland have been increasing for the last 40-50 years.  Moose densities range from < 1 to > 7 moose/km, however, the average density island-wide is roughly 1.7 moose/km. The current system of moose management through a regulated fall hunt has not been able to stabilize the growing population on the island.

Jurisdictions with similar transportation and resource management issues of moose and motorist safety (Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Maine, Vermont) all have significantly lower estimated moose densities, well below 1 moose/km.  Further, all of these jurisdictions have implemented mitigation techniques to reduce MVCs on their roadways in the last 10 years. These measures include wildlife fencing and wildlife underpasses, which have not been implemented in Newfoundland.

Three moose vehicle collision mitigation approaches are currently in use by the Government of Newfoundland.  These are public awareness campaigns, signage, and clearing brush from roadways.  All of these are either known to be ineffective, or are not recommended by leading authorities. 

Regardless of the merits of moose fencing, all the jurisdictions with an MVC problem have implemented mitigation measures from the starting point of much lower moose densities.  The solution to the Newfoundland problem has to begin there also: we have too many moose.

Fewer Moose Equal Fewer Accidents

There is resounding concordance from studies indicating that there is a positive correlation between moose densities and MVCs, particularly on a national scale.  In other words, fewer moose equal fewer traffic accidents. 

Thus, a strategy to reduce overall moose numbers on the island, and one aimed at reducing moose numbers in targeted areas with high MVCs, would result in a reduction of MVCs at both island and local scales. The burgeoning moose population in Newfoundland is having a significant impact on forest ecology, primarily balsam fir forests, impacting a suite of species that the forest health is dependent upon. Management of moose population through a strategic plan aimed at reducing moose numbers in high density areas will have benefits beyond reducing MVCs but restoring forest health. Ultimately, effective mitigation of MVCs will depend largely on integrated management of the surrounding landscape and moose population, and to a much lesser extent on the increased awareness of individual motorists.

The policy of the Government of Newfoundland toward the MVC issue is contained in a strategy paper now in the public domain.  The strategy paper states correctly that only a drastic reduction in moose population on the island will result in a discernable reduction in moose vehicle collisions.  This strategy document was generated by officials in the Department of Environment.  The paper further states that a drastic reduction in moose population would be socially unacceptable in Newfoundland and   Labrador.  Is this assessment of public opinion correct?

Moose Cull the Obvious Solution

Government agrees that a drastic reduction in moose population would result in a drastic reduction in moose vehicle collisions.  This is being done now in Gros Morne and Terra Nova National Parks for ecological reasons - a cull of the moose population in the parks by up to 80% or 4,000 animals.  There is no debate as to whether a moose cull would drastically reduce traffic accidents.  All agree this is true.  The questions are:  Are the officials correct in stating that Newfoundlanders would not accept a cull?  Are the politicians correct in accepting the advice that a cull is not socially acceptable?

The new Chair of the Advisory Board of SOPAC is an individual with a long and respected experience in Newfoundland public life, and a record of care and commitment to the wellbeing of Newfoundlanders.  Richard Cashin says a moose cull on the island of Newfoundland is socially acceptable and a necessity for public safety.  Mr. Cashin calls for a moose cull.

Artists are often perceptive in seeing the need for change.  In the concluding words of the Bill Luffman song, "Always be watching for moose":

They could make our highways more safer

If they declared open season on moose.

For safety sake, let's act now.  When it comes to highway safety, it's us or the moose.  It's time to choose sides.

To express your views and learn what you can do to focus the politicians on taking action, go to www.toomanymoose.com.

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*Statements of fact contained in this briefing note are taken from Clevenger, "Moose-vehicle collisions and their mitigation in Newfoundland" and are extensively footnoted in the source document.