Editing Moose (section)

== Relationship with humans ==

===History===
[[File:A moose with reflection in Grand Teton NP.jpg|thumb|A moose and its reflection]]
[[File:Collared muddy moose yearlings.jpg|thumb|Two young moose wearing radio tracking collars]]

European [[rock drawings]] and [[cave painting]]s reveal that moose have been hunted since the [[Stone Age]]. Excavations in [[Alby, Öland|Alby, Sweden]], adjacent to the [[Stora Alvaret]] have yielded moose antlers in wooden hut remains from 6000&nbsp;BCE, indicating some of the earliest moose hunting in northern Europe. In northern Scandinavia one can still find remains of [[trapping pit]]s used for hunting moose. These pits, which can be up to {{cvt|4|x|7|m|ft}} in area and {{cvt|2|m|ftin}} deep, would have been camouflaged with branches and leaves.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} They would have had steep sides lined with planks, making it impossible for the moose to escape once it fell in. The pits are normally found in large groups, crossing the moose's regular paths and stretching over several km. Remains of wooden fences designed to guide the animals toward the pits have been found in bogs and peat. In Norway, an early example of these trapping devices has been dated to around 3700&nbsp;BC.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} Trapping elk in pits is an extremely effective hunting method. As early as the 16th&nbsp;century the Norwegian government tried to restrict their use; nevertheless, the method was in use until the 19th&nbsp;century.

The earliest recorded description of the moose is in [[Julius Caesar]]'s ''[[Commentarii de Bello Gallico]]'', where it is described thus:

<blockquote>There are also [animals], which are called ''[[alces]]'' (moose). The shape of these, and the varied color of their skins, is much like roes, but in size they surpass them a little and are destitute of horns, and have legs without joints and ligatures; nor do they lie down for the purpose of rest, nor, if they have been thrown down by any accident, can they raise or lift themselves up. Trees serve as beds to them; they lean themselves against them, and thus reclining only slightly, they take their rest; when the huntsmen have discovered from the footsteps of these animals whither they are accustomed to betake themselves, they either undermine all the trees at the roots, or cut into them so far that the upper part of the trees may appear to be left standing. When they have leant upon them, according to their habit, they knock down by their weight the unsupported trees, and fall down themselves along with them.<ref>{{Cite book|publisher = Harper & brothers|last1 = Caesar|first1 = Julius|first2=Aulus|last2=Hirtius|title = Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic and civil wars|chapter = XXVII|page = 154|year = 1879|isbn = 978-0-217-45287-8}}</ref></blockquote>

In book 8, chapter 16 of [[Pliny the Elder]]'s ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Natural History]]'' from 77&nbsp;CE, the elk and an animal called achlis, which is presumably the same animal, are described thus:

<blockquote> ... there is, also, the elk, which strongly resembles our steers, except that it is distinguished by the length of the ears and of the neck. There is also the achlis, which is produced in the land of Scandinavia; it has never been seen in this city, although we have had descriptions of it from many persons; it is not unlike the moose, but has no joints in the hind leg. Hence, it never lies down, but reclines against a tree while it sleeps; it can only be taken by previously cutting into the tree, and thus laying a trap for it, as otherwise, it would escape through its swiftness. Its upper lip is so extremely large, for which reason it is obliged to go backwards when grazing; otherwise, by moving onwards, the lip would get doubled up.<ref>{{cite web |title= Pliny the Elder, The Natural History |editor= John Bostock |editor-link= John Bostock (physician) |editor2= Henry Thomas Riley |editor2-link= Henry Thomas Riley |access-date= 2009-11-08 |url= http://old.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+8.16 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20120713100336/http://old.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?lookup=Plin.+Nat.+8.16 |archive-date= 2012-07-13 }}</ref></blockquote>

===As food===
[[File:Alces alces elan trophee chateau Tanlay.jpg|thumbnail|Moose [[Trophy hunting|trophy head]]]]
[[File:Snowpoop.JPG|left|thumb|Moose [[Feces|scat]] is commonly found on trails. Some souvenir shops sell bags of it, sealed with [[shellac]] and labeled with humorous names.]]
Moose are hunted as a [[game (hunting)|game]] species in many of the countries where they are found. Moose meat tastes, wrote [[Henry David Thoreau]] in ''The Maine Woods'', "like tender beef, with perhaps more flavour; sometimes like [[veal]]". While the flesh has [[protein]] levels similar to those of other comparable [[red meat]]s (e.g. [[beef]], [[deer]] and [[wapiti]]), it has a low [[fat]] content, and the fat that is present consists of a higher proportion of [[polyunsaturated fat]]s than [[saturated fat]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c22al.html |title=Moose, meat, raw (Alaska Native) |publisher=Nutrition Data |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080521095638/http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c22aL.html |archive-date=May 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dr. [[Valerius Geist]], who emigrated to Canada from the Soviet Union, wrote in his 1999 book ''Moose: Behaviour, Ecology, Conservation'':

{{Blockquote|In Sweden, no fall menu is without a mouthwatering moose dish. The Swedes fence their highways to reduce moose fatalities and design moose-proof cars. Sweden is less than half as large as the Canadian province of British Columbia, but the annual take of moose in Sweden&mdash;upward of 150,000&mdash;is twice that of the total moose harvest in North America.|author=|title=|source=}}

Boosting moose populations in Alaska for hunting purposes is one of the reasons given for allowing aerial or airborne methods to remove wolves in designated areas, e.g., Craig Medred: "A kill of 124 wolves would thus translate to [the survival of] 1488 moose or 2976 [[Caribou (North America)|caribou]] or some combination thereof".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/wolves/story/410461.html/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213031137/http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/wildlife/wolves/story/410461.html/|title=adn.com|archive-date=February 13, 2009}}</ref> Some scientists believe that this artificial inflation of game populations is actually detrimental to both caribou and moose populations as well as the ecosystem as a whole. This is because studies have shown{{citation needed|date=July 2019}} that when these game populations are artificially boosted, it leads to both [[habitat destruction]] and a crash in these populations.<ref>[http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/policy_and_legislation/aerial_hunting_q_and_a.pdf Aerial Hunting FAQs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100712145731/http://www.defenders.org/resources/publications/policy_and_legislation/aerial_hunting_q_and_a.pdf |date=July 12, 2010 }}, Defenders of Wildlife - Protect America's Wildlife (PAW) Act - Aerial hunting FAQs</ref>

==== Consumption of offal====
[[Cadmium]] levels are high in Finnish moose [[liver]] and [[kidney]]s, with the result that consumption of these organs from moose more than one year old is prohibited in Finland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Food-Alerts/All-clear-for-Finnish-foods |title=All-clear for Finnish foods |date=11 August 2003 |publisher=Food Quality News|access-date=November 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110081823/http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Food-Alerts/All-clear-for-Finnish-foods |archive-date=November 10, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> As a result of a study reported in 1988, the [[Ministry of Natural Resources (Ontario)|Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources]] recommended against the consumption of moose and deer kidneys and livers. Levels of cadmium were found to be considerably higher than in Scandinavia.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Cadmium levels in Ontario moose and deer in relation to soil sensitivity to acid precipitation |journal=Science of the Total Environment |date=June 1988 |volume=71 |issue=2 |pages=173–186 |doi=10.1016/0048-9697(88)90165-9|last1=Glooschenko |first1=V. |last2=Downes |first2=C. |last3=Frank |first3=R. |last4=Braun |first4=H.E. |last5=Addison |first5=E.M. |last6=Hickie |first6=J. |pmid=3381081 |bibcode=1988ScTEn..71..173G }}</ref> The [[New Brunswick]] [[Department of Natural Resources]] advises hunters not to consume cervid [[offal]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Health and Wellness Public Health Advisory / Hunters and wildlife diseases (05/09/16) |url=https://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/he/2005e1188hw.htm |agency=New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health |issue=NB 1188 |publisher=www.gnb.ca |date=September 16, 2005 |access-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703172302/https://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/he/2005e1188hw.htm }}</ref>

Cadmium intake has been found to be elevated amongst all consumers of moose meat, though the meat was found to contribute only slightly to the daily cadmium intake. However the consumption of moose liver or kidneys significantly increased cadmium intake, with the study revealing that heavy consumers of moose organs have a relatively narrow safety margin below the levels which would probably cause adverse [[health effects]].<ref>Vahteristo, L., Lyytikäinen, T., Venäläinen, E. R., Eskola, M., Lindfors, E., Pohjanvirta, R., & Maijala, R. (2003). Cadmium intake of moose hunters in Finland from consumption of moose meat, liver and kidney. ''Food Additives and Contamination, 20'', 453–463.</ref>

===Vehicle collisions===

The [[center of mass]] of a moose is above the hood of most [[Sedan (automobile)|passenger cars]]. In a collision, the impact crushes the front roof beams and individuals in the front seats.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.vti.se/sv/publikationer/pdf/algdocka-av-gummi-for-krockprov.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311184713/http://www.vti.se/sv/publikationer/pdf/algdocka-av-gummi-for-krockprov.pdf |archive-date=March 11, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Collisions of this type are frequently fatal; [[seat belt]]s and [[airbag]]s offer little protection.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080529203439/http://www.vti.se/nordic/2-04mapp/annosv.html Traffic Management for a Sustainable Environment] Number 2, 2004, of Nordic Road & Transport Research. Annotations Sweden</ref> In collisions with higher vehicles (such as trucks), most of the deformation is to the front of the vehicle and the passenger compartment is largely spared. Moose collisions have prompted the development of a vehicle test referred to as the "[[moose test]]" ({{langx|sv|Älgtest}}, {{langx|de|Elchtest}}). A Massachusetts study found that moose–vehicular collisions had a very high human fatality rate and that such collisions caused the death of 3% of the Massachusetts moose population annually.<ref name=ZellerWattles2018>{{cite journal|last1=Zeller|first1=Katherine A.|last2=Wattles|first2=David W.|last3=DeStefano|first3=Stephen|title=Incorporating Road Crossing Data into Vehicle Collision Risk Models for Moose (Alces americanus) in Massachusetts, USA|journal=Environmental Management|volume=62|issue=3|year=2018|pages=518–528|issn=0364-152X|doi=10.1007/s00267-018-1058-x|pmid=29744581|bibcode=2018EnMan..62..518Z|s2cid=13700403}}</ref>
[[File:Moose carcass at a solid waste facility, Homer, Alaska.jpg|thumb|Moose carcass, cause of death unknown, at a solid waste transfer facility in Alaska.]]
Moose warning signs are used on roads in regions where there is a danger of collision with the animal. The triangular warning signs common in Sweden, Norway, and Finland have become coveted souvenirs among tourists traveling in these countries, causing road authorities so much expense that the moose signs have been replaced with imageless generic warning signs in some regions.<ref>{{in lang|sv}} "[http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/algsafari-lockar-tusentals-turister-1.560803 Älgsafari lockar tusentals turister]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''[[Dagens Nyheter]]'', August 12, 2007. Accessed November 6, 2009."</ref>

In Ontario, Canada, an estimated 265 moose die each year as a result of collision with trains ({{as of|2019|lc=yes}}). Moose–train collisions were more frequent in winters with above-average snowfall.<ref>Hamr, Joe, Mike Hall, and Jesse N. Popp. "AN ASSESSMENT OF MOOSE AND ELK TRAIN COLLISIONS IN ONTARIO, CANADA." Alces: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose 55 (2019): 1-12.</ref> In January 2008, the Norwegian newspaper ''[[Aftenposten]]'' estimated that some 13,000 moose had died in collisions with Norwegian trains since 2000. The state agency in charge of railroad infrastructure (Jernbaneverket) plans to spend 80 million [[Norwegian krone]]r to reduce collision rate in the future by fencing the railways, clearing vegetation from near the tracks, and providing alternative snow-free feeding places for the animals elsewhere.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928100858/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2222872.ece|archive-date=September 28, 2008|url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2222872.ece|title=Railroad takes steps to reduce moose crashes|newspaper=Aftenposten|date=January 28, 2008}}</ref>

In the Canadian province of [[New Brunswick]], collisions between automobiles and moose are frequent enough that all new highways have fences to prevent moose from accessing the road, as has long been done in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. A demonstration project, Highway&nbsp;7 between [[Fredericton]] and [[Saint John, New Brunswick|Saint John]], which has one of the highest frequencies of moose collisions in the province, did not have these fences until 2008, although it was and continues to be extremely well signed.<ref>[http://www.gnb.ca/0113/moose/alert-e.asp Moose-Vehicle Collision Information] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114141943/http://www.gnb.ca/0113/moose/alert-e.asp |date=January 14, 2007 }}, New Brunswick Department of Transportation</ref><ref>[http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/tran/2008e0411tr.htm More wildlife fencing to be installed on Route 7 in 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110117200940/http://www.gnb.ca/cnb/news/tran/2008e0411tr.htm |date=January 17, 2011 }}, Communications New Brunswick, April 8, 2008</ref> [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] recommended that motorists use caution between dusk and dawn because that is when moose are most active and most difficult to see, increasing the risk of collisions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.roads.gov.nl.ca/moose.htm |title=Highway Driving Conditions – Department of Transportation and Works |publisher=www.roads.gov.nl.ca |access-date=November 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513202718/http://www.roads.gov.nl.ca/moose.htm |archive-date=May 13, 2008 }}</ref> Local moose sightings are often reported on radio stations so that motorists can take care while driving in particular areas. An electronic "moose detection system" was installed on two sections of the [[Trans-Canada Highway]] in Newfoundland in 2011, but the system proved unreliable and was removed in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/moose-detection-lights-being-removed-not-effective-for-n-l-1.2951688|title=Moose detection lights being removed, 'not effective' for N.L.|publisher=[[CBC News]]|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123113917/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/moose-detection-lights-being-removed-not-effective-for-n-l-1.2951688|archive-date=November 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> {{as of|2024}}, the moose population in Newfoundland was increasing along with the number of road accidents.<ref>{{cite news |first=Ian |last=Austen |title=A Menace to Motorists, but the 'Noble' Moose Is Adopted by Newfoundland |date=October 5, 2024 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/05/world/canada/newfoundland-moose-car-accidents.html |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

In Sweden, a road will not be fenced unless it experiences at least one moose accident per km per year.<ref>{{in lang|sv}} [http://ttela.se/start/mellerud/1.595186-manga-viltolyckor-inget-gors?NewUrl=null Många viltolyckor – inget görs – Mellerud] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719070131/http://ttela.se/start/mellerud/1.595186-manga-viltolyckor-inget-gors?NewUrl=null |date=July 19, 2011 }}. www.ttela.se (December 21, 2010). Retrieved on 2011-01-09.</ref>

In eastern Germany, where the scarce population is slowly increasing, there were two road accidents involving moose since 2000.<ref name=":0" />
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Moose crossing warning sign.jpg|Canadian road sign.
File:Finland road sign A20.1.svg|Finnish road sign.
File:NO road sign 146.1.svg|Norwegian road sign.
File:Sweden road sign A19-1.svg|Swedish road sign.
File:Moosecrossingkenaiak.JPG|[[Warning sign]] in Alaska where trees and brush are trimmed along high moose crossing areas so that moose can be seen as they approach the road.
File:Moose crossing a road.jpg|Moose (''A. a. gigas'') crossing a road in Alaska.
</gallery>

===Domestication===
[[File:Vyborg ElkMonument 006 9848c.jpg|thumb|Sculpture by the Finnish Jussi Mäntynen from 1923. The statue was preserved intact from the [[Second World War]] and is located in [[Vyborg]]]]
Domestication of moose was investigated in the [[Soviet Union]] before [[World War II]]. Early experiments were inconclusive, but with the creation of a moose farm at [[Pechora-Ilych Nature Reserve]] in 1949, a small-scale moose domestication program was started, involving attempts at [[selective breeding]] of animals on the basis of their behavioural characteristics. Since 1963, the program has continued at [[Kostroma Moose Farm]], which had a herd of 33 [[Domestication|tame]] moose as of 2003. Although at this stage the farm is not expected to be a profit-making enterprise, it obtains some income from the sale of [[moose milk]] and from visiting tourist groups. Its main value, however, is seen in the opportunities it offers for the research in the [[physiology]] and behavior of the moose, as well as in the insights it provides into the general principles of animal [[domestication]].

In Sweden, there was a debate in the late 18th century about the national value of using the moose as a domestic animal. Among other things, the moose was proposed to be used in postal distribution, and there was a suggestion to develop a [[Moose cavalry|moose-mounted cavalry]]. Such proposals remained unimplemented, mainly because the extensive hunting for moose that was deregulated in the 1790s nearly drove it to extinction. While there have been documented cases of individual moose (eg [[Älgen Stolta]]) being used for riding and/or pulling carts and sleds, Björklöf concludes no wide-scale usage has occurred outside fairy tales.<ref>Björklöf, Sune. (1995). [http://www.nordicacademicpress.com/o.o.i.s?id=52&vid=123 "Har älgar tämjts till kavalleri?"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714194546/http://www.nordicacademicpress.com/o.o.i.s?id=52&vid=123 |date=July 14, 2011 }}, ''Populär Historia'', no 5. Visited May 17, 2010.</ref>

===Heraldry===
As one of the Canadian national symbols, the moose occurs on several Canadian coats of arms, including [[Newfoundland and Labrador]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Newfoundland Quarterly, volume 057, no. 2 (June 1958) :: Newfoundland Quarterly|url=http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/quarterly/id/31852|access-date=2021-04-14|website=collections.mun.ca|archive-date=2020-06-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200626011931/http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/quarterly/id/31852|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Ontario]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.gov.on.ca/MBS/english/about/emblems_symbols/emblems.html#Coat| title = Coat of arms of Ontario – Government of Ontario| access-date = 2021-04-14| archive-date = 2005-09-20| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050920121006/http://www.gov.on.ca/mbs/english/about/emblems_symbols/emblems.html#Coat| url-status = live}}</ref> Moose is also a common coat of arms in Europe as well; for example, in Finland, it appears on the coats of arms of [[Hirvensalmi]] and [[Mäntsälä]] municipalities.<ref>{{cite book | title = Suomen kunnallisvaakunat | publisher = Suomen Kunnallisliitto | year = 1982 | isbn = 951-773-085-3 | language = fi}}</ref> The seals of [[Seal of Maine|Maine]] and [[Seal of Michigan|Michigan]] feature moose as well.<ref>{{cite web |title=SOS - History of the Great Seal and Coat of Arms |url=https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_95527_95528-22823--,00.html |website=www.michigan.gov |access-date=29 September 2021 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929111624/https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1633_95527_95528-22823--,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Hirvensalmi.vaakuna.svg|thumb|center|A moose in the coat of arms of [[Hirvensalmi]], Finland]]