Moose

Moose are considered one of the most important game species in the province.  There are three subspecies of moose occurring in British Columbia: Alaskan (or Yukon or tundra) moose (A. a. gigas) in the far north-western corner of the province; north-western moose (A. a. andersoni) throughout much of the rest of the province; and Shiras (or Shira’s or Shiras’ or Yellowstone) moose (A. a. shirasi) in the extreme south-eastern part of the province. Moose, with their long legs, do well in deep snow country (although they have trouble at depths above about 95 cm).

Map

Biodiversity Interactive Map - Moose

Range

Moose in North America have expanded in recent decades into areas considered previously unoccupied, including coastal temperate rainforests of British Columbia.  Moose (Alces alces) are found throughout much of interior British Columbia.   Highest densities occur in the central and northern portions of the province but they generally occur throughout the Columbia Basin.

Habitat

Moose habitat varies widely across its holarctic range, including northern boreal forests, deciduous dominated and mixed forests, mature coniferous forests, delta floodplains, and stream valley shrubs.

Reproduction

• Most female moose produce their first calves at 2 to 3 years of age, but poor physical condition may delay this until age 4
• Pregnancy rates of yearlings (which will give birth at 2 years of age) appear to be inversely related to carrying capacity (K) of the habitat.
• Pregnancy rates of adult moose are typically >70%, with singles or twins (very rarely triplets) produced. Twinning rates depend upon the nutritional status of cows.
• Female moose begin reproducing at about 12–13 years.
• Calves are generally born in late May.

Listing and Date

Threats to Species

• No threats to the populations
• Globally, they are demonstrably widespread, abundant and secure.

Select Reports

• Population Review of Moose in the Kootenay Region
• The Predator-Prey Dynamics of Wolves and Moose in the Northern Columbia Mountains: spatial and functional patterns in relation to mountain caribou decline

Full Report Listing (most recent on top)

• Kinbasket Moose Inventory 2005-2006
• Mortality Sources and Spatial Partitioning Among Mountain Caribou, Moose, and Wolves in the North Columbia Mountain, British Columbia
• Ungulate Aerial Survey Analysis and Summary
• The Predator-Prey Dynamics of Wolves and Moose in the Northern Columbia Mountains
• Winter habitat selection by moose in the East Kootenay, British Columbia, final report
• Donald Block 1995-96 Winter Moose Inventory
• A Fisheries Investigation of Moose & Yellowhead Lakes
• Robson Valley Aerial Moose Survey

For more information on this species, visit The BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer and enter “moose” in the Species Name field.