It is not only the Swedish moose population that is shrinking. The animal also gets a less and less physique as a result of the increasing temperatures.
– When it gets warmer and drier, the moose feel bad, says Daniel Ligné, national hunting conservation consultant, Swedish Hunters’ Association.
The Swedish moose are getting worse and worse, which P4 Sörmland was the first to report. The reason is that it is becoming both drier and warmer in the country. Statistics from the Swedish Hunters’ Association show that the moose are both getting fewer – and smaller.
– We want sun, bathing and warmth. The moose wants rain, wind and cold. The moose is a special species for Sweden as it is adapted to northern climates and has its southern border in Sweden. So when it gets warmer and drier, the moose feel bad, says Daniel Ligné.
For several years, the Swedish Hunters’ Association has been able to note the trend. The moose calves that are weighed in are getting cuter and cuter.
“Getting smarter”
– For six or seven years, we have been able to see that they are getting smaller. We weigh a lot of elk calves every autumn during the hunt and we see that we have a steady downward trend, he says and continues:
– We also see that they are becoming fewer, however, this may be due to other reasons; bears and wolves are increasing and the forest companies have wanted to reduce the moose population, he says.
The situation for the moose is most critical in the southern parts of the country.
– If we look in southern Sweden, there is no room for moose hunting in very many places. There are not enough moose, he says.