Ontario Moose Decline: Mystery Deepens

The moose population in Ontario has experienced a substantial decrease, dropping by approximately 20 percent since the early 2000s, with some northern areas seeing over a 50 percent reduction. A multi-year research project, initiated in 2024 near Thunder Bay, is examining various factors contributing to this decline.

Early findings suggest low calf survival, with only one-third of calves surviving their first year, largely due to predators like wolves and black bears. While adult moose survival rates are higher, vehicle collisions and hunting are noted causes of mortality for males, and unknown health issues affect females.

Conservationists suggest that while predators play a role, climate change may be a more significant underlying issue. Rising temperatures can cause heat stress in moose, impacting their feeding and reproduction. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the impact of forestry herbicide spraying, with some suggesting it negatively affects vegetation crucial for moose.

Hunters in northern Ontario have also observed the declining numbers, reporting fewer sightings in recent years. This trend has led to reduced hunting tags and fewer people venturing into the bush, highlighting the widespread impact of the moose population decrease.