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The revitilizing warmth of the spring sun incites a profound change in northern landscapes. Almost overnight, vivid mosaics of spring flowers carpet the formerly barren forest floor. Overhead, buds burst open, sending forth regiments of unfurling leaves to capture the life-giving light. The air reverberates with song as scores of vibrant birds return to proclaim territories and attract desiring mates. Spring is the season of birth for many animals, including the moose. By early May, last year's offspring, a close companion of its mother throughout the long, cold winter, is now considered an unwanted intruder and is driven off by the cow as she seeks solitude in which to bring forth the next generation.
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The youngster must be tremendously confused when its dam, formerly its source of life and nourishment, its consoler in times of stress and its protector in the face of danger, suddenly rejects it. Bewildered by this reversal in attitude, the calf attempts to reunite with its Mother, only to be rebutted repeatedly. Ultimately, the rejection is accepted, and the yearling must face the dangers of its world alone. It may for a time drift around the periphery of the cow's calving ground in the vain hope that she will discard her aggressiveness and once again tolerate its presence. Or the yearling may wander off, seeking a life completely on its own... Most of the year, moose are relatively silent animals. However, during the breeding season, the rut, their silence is broken. Moose courtship is elaborate, consisting not only of intricate vocalizations but also of elegant visual displays and subtle chemical stimuli. Still, much of the underlying mechanism of the rut has yet to be resolved, for we are just beginning to unravel the complexities of this ageless ritual. _____________ |
