Friday, May 27, 2011

Canadian Moose Hazard

Over a century ago local leaders of Newfoundland introduced the moose to the island with the hopes of attracting more hunters and tourists to help what was then a struggling colony. The moose has become known as a Canadian icon and it is of no surprise that moose roam freely in many parts of the country. However, the uniqueness of Newfoundland is that it lacks natural predators of the moose. Consequently, the moose population has increased immensely, numbering in the hundred thousands. Although this may appear to be a hunter's paradise, this is not the case because moose like to roam around the highways. Their half a ton bodies have cause roughly 700 collisions a year, most of which occur at night. In an attempt to control the moose population and reduce road hazards, the government will grant an additional five thousand hunting licenses this year and extend the moose season by one week.

-Gilberto Perez

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