Moose
Alces alces
Appearance
Range & Habitat
Reciprocal Relationships
Moose are solitary animals and spend most of their life alone until mating season when they gather in groups of up to 20. Male moose use their long antlers to fight each other to win a female’s affection.
Adult moose are eaten by packs of wolves and grizzly bears. Calves are eaten by black and grizzly bears, cougars and sometimes wolverines. There are many threats to moose nowadays including hunting, land use, ticks, parasites and competition for food from beaver, deer and rabbits.
Moose are important to human beings throughout the province. For the Dene Tha’, moose are hunted throughout the year, and every part of the moose has a purpose. The hide and bones are made into clothing and moccasins. The meat is eaten, frozen, or dried. The moose is also an important food source for Tŝilhqot'in communities and is especially important for social and ceremonial hunting. People throughout the province are constantly working to protect moose populations.