In early June of 2011 a cow moose was killed in a vehicle accident near Pembroke. This resulted in the orphaning of two three week old moose calves, which were transferred to Haliburton Forest. Chances for their survival were very slim… and in fact one of the calves died within hours of arrival.
However, the second defied all odds … and to this day developed splendidly!
In the meantime, the calf, which arrived as a female, turned out to be a young bull … and with all the confusion, the back and forth, is it a “she”, a “he”, a “him” or “her”, the name “Hershe” developed. Today Hershe is roaming a spacious 4 acre treed enclosure with 2 ponds which can be visited at the Base camp. Hershe enjoys company, be it horses, humans or dogs and consumes over 50 lbs of fresh leafs and twigs on a daily basis.
Moose Facts
- Moose are the largest members of the deer family.
- Large bull moose may reach a shoulder height of 6feet and weigh between 800 to 1800 pounds.
- Female moose (cows) average between 700 and 800 pounds in weight and do not grow antlers. The cows are mature and mate yearly from two years of age onwards. After a gestation period of 240 to 246 days they usually give birth to one calf or occasionally to twins in May or June. If they survive moose may live to be 20 years of age.
- Although moose mainly eat twigs from brushes and shrubs, their favorite food in summer is aquatic plants that grow in marshes and lakes.
- There are 4 sub species of Moose in North America – the Yukon/Alaska moose is the largest, the Shiras Moose, the Western Canadian Moose and the species found in Haliburton County – the Eastern Canadian Moose.
- The Eastern Canadian moose of Haliburton County are well suited to the wilderness regions of the County. Their long legs and wide flat hooves, allow them easy passage over all types of terrain. They can step over deadfall in the woods or effortlessly walk through deep snow that hinders most other large animals.
- For more information on moose please click on the following informational link – www.mooseworld.com