Newborn moose calf and the runaway cow

by Kate
(Northern BC)

So today I was out walking a cut block when I heard something crashing through the trees away from me. I figured it was a moose and continued walking about 500m away I ran into a small calf, wobbly on his feet, umbilical cord still wet, calling out. My first instinct was to leave immediately but a part of me worries I scared the cow away and that she would not return for her calf. I stumbled upon the calf 3 hrs after hearing the crashing.
Should I call conservation or a local wildlife center?

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You should definitely leave the calf where you found it. The cow will return to claim her calf. If the calf is moved they will not be re-united.

Baby moose

by Concerned
(Alberta, Canada)

A couple weeks ago in early June a young moose calf was bawling on my property for about a week then I did not see it up until yesterday.

Now it is hanging around constantly drinking from the horses water. The horses are very comfortable around it now so I suspect it has been around the whole time.

My property is heavy full of Willow.

I am pretty sure now that there is no mother.
The baby is drinking lots of water and chewing on the willows and grass. However, I am concerned that this is not enough nourishment at such a young age. Is there something I can do to help?

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Thanks for your concern as I'm sure you are worried about the young moose well-being.

If you go to the moose calves page there is quite a lot of information about feeding moose calves and what types of supplemented foods are recommended.

It is important to note that regular hay should never be fed to moose as their digestive trac cannot break down the fibers.

Willow is actually the best thing you can provide for your young visitor. As long as predators and dogs don't chase him/her away its survival rate will be enhanced.

The unfortunate fact is though, that if the calf was born this year and mom is no longer around, the calf's chance of survival is not good, likely zero, without its dam to protect it.

If the calf was born last year, the calf would have been left alone while the mom went off by herself to her safe calving grounds. Once this years calf was mobile the dam would then reunite with last years calf. If this is the case you may get to see the cow with the 2 calves.
Last years calf will be chased away come this fall during the breeding season.

~ Mark - The Mooseman

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