Wildlife researcher: “Reduced elk strain since the 1980s”

Throughout Sweden, the moose population has declined since the 1980s and one explanation is that more moose have been shot than born.

But it is not just the moose hunting that affects. The quality of the moose's food has deteriorated. It is planted more and more spruce instead of pine and it does not eat the moose. Better fodder is needed for the king of the forest to thrive.

- More berry rice would be needed, and this is achieved through lighter mixed forest and pine forest. The moose also like to eat deciduous trees such as sallow and rowan. Unlike pigeon and deer deer, the moose cannot fully feed on grass, says Fredrik Widemo, game scientist at the National Agricultural University.

Climate is another factor that affects. When it is over 20 degrees hot, the moose do not like. They can then hide in dense forest and do not eat enough.

The number of calves per elk cow has also decreased in recent years, according to the researchers. It can be linked to the supply of feed, the age of the cows and the climate.

- During last year's drought, we saw a decrease of ten percent of the calves and the weight of the slaughter became smaller, says Fredrik Widemo.

How to increase the moose strain?

- In the long run, it is then necessary for the moose to grow, to shoot the young animals and to save the old ones to raise the middle age. The growth must of course be higher than the shoot if you want a stronger moose strain. It is important that forest owners and hunters agree on how to regulate the moose trunk, says Fredrik Widemo.