Kjell Danell

Moose and people during 8000 years in Sweden

The moose has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Early on, it was an important source of food, especially in forested and remote areas. Moose hunting is still vital for community cohesion in villages, and time is divided into "before" and "after" the hunt. The moose was nearly extinct in Sweden by the early 1800s after heavy hunting. Through protection and shortened hunting seasons, the moose was saved around 1830. The population then grew, and by the early 1980s, as many moose were harvested in Sweden as in the rest of the world combined. Today, the moose hunting remains a topic of conversation, provides meat and recreation and serves nature tourism. Still, like most large animals, it is controversial - not least because of its damage to forests. This book aims to provide a broad exploration of the moose and its relationship with people in Sweden over the past few thousand years. In Sweden moose hunting is an important part of the culture. The book begins with the colonization and distribution of moose after Sweden became ice-free. The moose biology, benefits, damage, impact on biodiversity, hunting and trapping tools and dogs, as well as legislation and management from Medieval Times to the present, and use of tame moose and folklore are described in 28 chapters. The authors: Kjell Danell, PhD, professor emeritus in wildlife ecology. Roger Bergström, PhD, professor emeritus in wildlife ecology, SLU. Leif Mattsson, PhD, professor emeritus in the economics of multiple use of forests. Margareta Stéen, DVM, associate professor in wild animal health, SLU.