Photo: Moose Viking Trail Northern Peninsula Newfoundland

A Moose, proper name Alces alces, looks up from grazing in a property in St Lunaire-Griquet off Highway 436, along the Viking Trail in the Great Northern Peninsula in Newfoundland. These animals are known in Europe as elk, rather than moose.

Moose, Alces alces, are known as Elk in Europe, but in North America they are known as moose. This one was spotted grazing in a property in St Lunaire-Griquet off Highway 436 on the Viking Trail on the Great Northern Peninsula.

Moose generally like to inhabit forest areas with temperate and subarctic climates. They are very popular in Canada, and during hunting seasons people can apply for a permit to hunt some of them. They were first introduced to Newfoundland in 1904 and now they are the most dominate hoofed animal in that province.

Moose are generally solitary animals and like to be by themselves unless it is a mother with her calf. They do not have a lot of enemies due to their immense size, however a pack of wolves, if hungry enough, have been known to bring down a full grown moose. Also a mother with her calf has to be careful as predators will try to bring down the calf as it is a lot smaller.

It is surprising to learn that moose can be aggressive, and if they feel threatened they can attack people; they actually do attack more people than bears and wolves put together.

Moose, Alces alces, grazing in a property in St Lunaire-Griquet, Highway 436, Viking Trail, Northern Peninsula, Great Northern Peninsula, Newfoundland, Canada.