It is too early to conclude that cadmium is actually a health concern for mainland moose. This aspect of the study will continue with the testing of any 'sick' or found dead moose reported anywhere on mainland Nova Scotia. Initial results of the general study show that moose in the core Tobeatic area do not seasonally move out of the area. As well, there seems to be a very low calf survival rate in this herd. In January, an aerial survey was completed within the central Tobeatic area.
Results confirm that there is a relatively small core population in the Tobeatic region.
This spring, analysis of 'moose habitat use and availability,' will be carried out with the assistance of a graduating student from the Centre of Geographic Sciences in Lawrencetown, NS, who will provide GIS technical support. This project is also relying on assistance of a graduating student from the Centre of Geographic Sciences in Lawrencetown, NS, who will provide GIS technical support. The final report of this work should be completed by mid summer of this year. Both Dennis Brannen and Tamaini Snaith intend to present papers on their studies, at the North American Moose Conference and Workshop being held in Maine, this coming May. Stora Enso is now partnering with us by providing funding assistance for the purchase of GPS collars. We will be starting with three collars to determine how useful the collars are in identifying key habitat features selected by moose.