Yellowknife (Sep 03/04) - If there's a moose on the loose, be sure to tell the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development about it.

RWED launched its second annual Community Moose Monitoring Program for the North Slave region on Sept. 1. The project runs until March 31.

RWED officials are asking North Slave residents to be on the lookout for moose again this fall, as part of their Community Moose Monitoring Program. - Chris Woodall/NNSL photo

Participants will be asked to report any sightings of moose in the region. The data collected will focus on calf survival, bull and cow ratios and population, and on moose behaviour and habitat.

Hunters who kill a moose are also asked to report on possible diseases and the animal's overall condition.

"Right now, moose aren't a managed species," explained RWED wildlife biologist Tracy Hillis. "But we want to start collecting information so that if they ever do become a priority species we have background research."

One example of a "managed species" is caribou.

According to Hillis, 25 people participated in last year's program with more than 100 reports filed. One moose was even spotted north of the tree line, which Hillis said is a rare occurrence.

In late March, an aerial survey was carried out, and the data are now being analyzed by North Slave regional biologist Dean Cluff as well as by a researcher in Alaska. A second aerial survey will be performed next March.

"There have been concerns coming out of the communities that people aren't seeing as many moose as they used to," Hillis said, explaining the motivation behind the project.

"We want to get these people involved in the management process."

Interested moose-spotters can join the program by contacting RWED's North Slave office.