Fewer moose, greater foliage: What Parks Canada is hoping to achieve in Terra Nova

Moose in Terra Nova National Park like what's on the menu. Dining out on a steady buffet of balsam fir, birch, aspen and maple, their appetite has meant dramatic changes to the ecosystem of the eastern Newfoundland park.

The park's vegetation has been stunted, and some forested areas have gone the way of Mother Hubbard's cupboard.

Enter a moose reduction program. It's a way for the park to control the number of moose and aid reforestation at the same time.

"We looked at the range of options and we eventually landed on implementing hunting so lethal control, with licence hunters that are issued licences through the province and through Parks Canada, to come in and hunt within certain areas of the park and reduce the population," says John Gosse, an ecologist at Terra Nova.

The program began in 2011 and has resulted in the killing of about 250 moose in the park over that time.

This year, 55 licences are being handed out, with 40 going to individuals, 10 to non-profit organizations and five to the Miawpukek First Nation of Conne River. 

• Terra Nova boxes out moose to save the trees

Gosse said public involvement has been crucial in the plan. 

"We're thankful that they're able to come to the park and participate in the program and contribute to forest health," he said. 

The changes to the park's greenery has been substantial. Moose prefer to dine on white birch, red maple, trembling aspen and balsam fir, says Gosse, which happent to be among the common species in the park. 

"When you have high moose numbers and a long history of no hunting prior to the initiation of this program, you had moose in high density and [the animals were] able to suppress all vegetation that's coming up year after year," he said.

WATCH | Moose want to eat, but the plants need to grow:

Fewer moose in Terra Nova National Park for a few reasons, says Parks Canada

8 days ago

Duration 2:15

A moose reduction program started in 2011 in Terra Nova National Park. John Gosse, an ecologist at Terra Nova, explains part of the reason behind it because the moose love what Terra Nova is serving up.

"Moose really began to increase their numbers throughout the 1950s and '60s and '70s. And because there was no hunting in the park at that time, numbers got exceptionally high and were able to suppress that vegetation."

Since the park remains open to hikers and other users, safety during the moose hunt is critical.

According to a statement from the park, all users must pay close attention to signage concerning hunting locations.

"Parks Canada reminds harvesters of the requirement to wear blaze orange safety clothing when hunting," the statement read. "It is also recommended that visitors wear similar safety clothing when hiking trails in the park during this time. 

The park has posted maps and safety information on its website. 

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