Significant Decline in Moose Population Puts Species at Risk in Sweden
Moose in Sweden face a 20% decline prompting potential red-listing due to hunting and environmental changes.
Key Points
- • Moose population in Sweden has decreased by 20% since 2004.
- • Current population is estimated between 300,000 to 400,000 moose.
- • Hunting practices are the primary cause of the decline.
- • Concerns grow for lesser-known species at risk from habitat changes.
The moose population in Sweden has faced a alarming decline of 20% since 2004, leading to discussions about the species potentially being added to the national red list, which tracks species at risk of extinction. Currently, there are estimated to be between 300,000 to 400,000 moose in Sweden, categorizing the population as still viable. However, experts attribute the decrease primarily to hunting practices aimed at managing browsing pressure on forests, which can be detrimental to regeneration efforts.
According to Henrik Thurfjell from SLU Artdatabanken, while the moose population remains strong enough at present, continued hunting could inhibit recovery efforts. Thurfjell noted that if hunting were to stop, the moose population could rebound rapidly within a few years. The red list, reviewed and updated every five years by the same institution, is currently being expanded, with 228 new species classified this year due to rapid declines in their populations or shifts in their risk statuses.
In addition to the moose, a growing concern is emerging for less visible species facing similar threats from environmental changes, particularly from agricultural and forestry practices. Among the most critically endangered is the harbour porpoise, known as tumlare, which has suffered from bycatch in fishing. Several fish species, such as herring and salmon, are also being downgraded to near threatened statuses, highlighting a broader biodiversity crisis.
On a more positive note, conservation achievements have been noted with some species, such as the otter, showing signs of recovery since hunting was banned in the 1970s. However, species like the stoat are increasingly facing pressures from habitat loss and competition, leading to their classification as near threatened. Emelie Nilsson from WWF is advocating for a more ambitious conservation policy to safeguard wildlife and improve living conditions for all species affected by these environmental changes.