The Great Moose Migration is Here!
Are you watching the Great Moose Migration online? Maybe you should be! 9 million viewers all over the world have tuned in to watch the migrating moose herds cross one of the longest rivers in Northern Sweden, in order to reach their summer grazing pastures. The first live feed broadcast of this occurred in 2019 and is now one of the most popular live shows on Swedish broadcasting. The current livestream began on April 15th and will continue 24/7 until May 4th via svtplay.se. The cameras are located in various areas along the river, showcasing not just the moose herds swimming, but a vast variety of animal life and the beauty of the Northern tier forests. These forests are known as Boreal or Taiga Forests and are a crucial ecosystem that includes wildlife and several types of coniferous trees. It's also an area that is endangered by the effects of climate change and needs to be preserved and protected.
The live feed is simply that: a live feed from various cameras set along the migration route. There's no narration, no music, just the sights and sounds of nature. It's very soothing, and I highly recommend it for anyone who needs a break from the excesses of modern life and technology. For me, the most beautiful part of this live feed occurred while I was watching the moose swimming in the river and hearing the call of the ducks and loons in the background. It reminded me so much of the Great Lakes/Upper Midwest region where I spent my childhood and some of my adult life.
To learn more about moose and life in the Boreal forests, check out the following books available at San Jose Public Library:
Moose:
The Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale
The Boreal Forests:
Final Thoughts:
- The word "moose" comes from the Eastern Algonquin word "mooz". The author of this blog knows some of the Ojibway language which is a part of the Algonquin language family.
- The Ojibway, along with the Odawa and the Potawatomi are a part of the Three Fires Confederacy and are the Indigenous tribes located in the Great Lakes region.
- In Ojibway "mooz" is singular, "moozoog" is plural, and "moozons" is diminutive (i.e. a little moose calf would be called a "moozons"). When the word came into the English language, the plural and diminutive versions were left behind, which is why the word "moose" is both singular and plural in the English version.
- I'm definitely longing for the Northern forests and lakes, and the wonderful mix of Ojibway, Scandinavian, and French-Canadian culture that exists in the Great Lakes region where I was raised.
- Moose are very large animals. A male moose can stand up to 7 feet high and weigh in from 1200 to 1600lbs. A female moose can stand up to 6 feet tall and weigh in from 800 to 1300 lbs.
- Some friends of mine and I were driving to a traditional powwow in Northern Ontario, and were confronted by a very large male moose who charged at the vehicle we were in. We backed out really quick, because there is NO WAY to win against an angry moose. The moose is going to win every time.
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