Dear Jeff Corwin, Love your show. Always stop to watch when we see you on TV. Happened to actually catch your Alaska show while visiting the Kenai from TX. Had a wonderful two weeks and personally was physically shocked when I returned to the DFW heat of 106. :-)
I have something I would like to see in relation to the moose of AK. You see, it is my perception (based on common grapevine talk) that the moose population of AK is declining albeit the state seems to dance to a different tune. Seems to be quite controversial and might make a HUGE show.
State officials have actually been known to euthanize orphans under care. see links: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/moose/story/7864579p-7757052c.html http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/moose/story/8959266p-8873780c.html AK Moose Federation: http://www.growmoremoose.org/programs.asp
I cannot find any specific current moose population stats from the AK state websites. It is all speculative. In other words, no current census data. (Which is rather shocking as our Texas Dept of Parks and Wildlife are so open and thorough with their data.) One would think that a state that is FIVE times the state of TX and considered to house our nation's most abundant wildlife would have a better grasp on exactly what they have. Just a look at Denali alone might be revealing.
It is also my understanding that there are more protective measures in place in AK for bears and wolves, but not moose, especially the calves. The Kenai Peninsula had a sign posted as we entered on the highway from Anchorage that read: Moose accidents on this highway year to date: 178.
It is another understanding that Sweden culls more moose annually than AK actually HAS! I realize that the moose in Sweden are of a smaller variety...but it is interesting to me from the lower 48 that the state seems to be ignoring the plight of the moose. It is a major food source for many indigenous groups in that area. Why are moose being killed so frequently on the highways? Is it because the food foraging areas are easier where the grass is mowed along the highways and easier to get to? What has the state done to protect this natural food source aka the moose? Do they have cinderos with food plots? Do they have "moose crossings"? Nothing is found on the internet in regard to this.
I would appreciate your research into this matter. Quite frankly I am at a loss being informed on this issue.
As an elementary librarian, poised to be a sister school with native Alaskan village that survives off moose, it will be important information to share with my TX students. It is because of this new relationship that the demise of the moose in AK has become such a heart felt topic to me. I hope that you and your show can do a special on moose from AK.
"...my perception (based on common grapevine talk)..."
"I cannot find any specific current moose population stats..."
"It is also my understanding..."
You admit you have no facts, then say that the Alaskan moose is in a state of demise as if you knew what you were talking about. Talk about a leap of illogic...
"One would think that a state that is FIVE times the state of TX and considered to house our nation's most abundant wildlife would have a better grasp on exactly what they have."
Five times the size of Texas geographically!! Of course, you can't be bothered to consider that much of the Alaska geography is difficult to get to (if not down-right impossible) as compared to a state like Texas which is (generally speaking) flatter than a pancake. Nor can you be bothered to consider that the Dallas-Fort Worth area alone has more people are than Alaska does in the entire state( I just double-checked my figures. Dallas itself has double the population of the entire state of Alaska. Austin is about the same population as the entire state of Alaska). It is easy to criticize the 'failures' of the state leadership when you ignore reality and the fact that there are not enough honest people (as opposed to outside radicals who have a vested interest in falsifying the facts since they make their living from selling those 'facts', be they based on any sort of reality or not) to do a decent count. Talk about typical outsider arrogance....
Why don't you worry about the lack of Bison and other wildlife which once well populated your state but do so no longer and leave Alaska to Alaskans?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: alaskahome1959,
Let me respond as an someone who has been on the the highways you spoke of, most commonly the Glenn Hwy coming from Wasilla to Anchorage. Moose, unlike deer, are tall. You see legs crossing the highway before you see the moose hit your windshield, but no eyes like the deer. (The belly of an Alaskan moose is at the top of a dumpster.)The sign is an Alaskan "Moose Crossing" sign for those who drive that highway. It reminds us to watch out for them. They forage everywhere, not just along the highway, and are easily seen in the summer when it's light. The killings are mostly in the winter because of the darkness. There are no road signs, farm lights, frequent houses, highway signs that are lighted, etc. After living in AK, driving down I-70 in MO is LIGHT EVERYWHERE!
The other thing that we asked about while living in AK was about that sign of "XXX moose killed this season"--they don't tell you 1 person is killed in every 3 accidents. What has happened in the state, like everywhere, is that we have invaded the mooose's territory. There are 2000 resident moose in Anchorage alone (just drive around at night in the winter and you're apt to see one). They also go into Ft Richardson Army base and Elmendorf AF base on their own through the fence--there are places for them to get through and they know where they are. They go wherever they want to.
I read the articles you referred to. Note that two said leave the calves alone because 1) you could get killed by mom; 2)they do try to place them when people don't leave them alone but like animal shelters here, may have to euthanize them so they don't starve as they aren't enough funds to run a moose shelter. They are better left in the wild for nature to take it's course: survival of the fittest.
I hope this has helped to calm some of your fears. There is a limit on moose season for hunting, and they do keep in an eye on the population. The only people allowed to take moose out of season are natives as they use them for ceremonial purposes in "funeral dinners" (potlatch).
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