Canadian wildlife enthusiast Derek Keith Burgoyne was closely observing three bull moose when one of them suddenly came to a halt and began to shake. Little did he know that he was about to witness a rare event – the moose was shedding its antlers. Thankfully, Burgoyne had his drone with him, allowing him to capture this remarkable moment.
Filming the moose in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick, Burgoyne not only recorded the unique footage of the moose shedding both of its antlers but also managed to collect the antlers and bring them home as a souvenir.
“I consider this winning the lottery when it comes to filming wildlife,” expressed Burgoyne after capturing the footage on January 12. “A bull can shed one antler and carry the other side for days or even weeks. So, to capture both antlers shedding at the exact time is extremely rare. Once-in-a-lifetime moment!”
But what prompts moose to shed their antlers? Let’s delve into the reasons behind this intriguing phenomenon.
Why Moose Shed Their Antlers
In the wildlife world, the more common term for this process is “casting.” Hoofed animals such as moose, deer, and elk shed their antlers every winter, typically starting at the age of one, after the mating season concludes.
Moose mating season initiates in late September and concludes in early October. While female moose (cows) may give birth to a calf by the age of two, bulls don’t begin breeding until they reach the age of five, as per the New York State Conservationist Magazine and Maine Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
During mating season, antlers play a crucial role as moose engage in dominance displays by pushing their antlers against each other. However, once mating season is over, antlers become unnecessary baggage, especially since they can interfere with feeding. Additionally, a bull’s antlers can add approximately 60 pounds of weight to its body, so shedding them allows the moose to conserve more energy for the winter, according to National Geographic.
The shedding process, known as “casting,” doesn’t occur immediately after the mating season. Instead, it typically takes place in January, deeper into winter, when daylight is reduced, and testosterone production decreases. At this point, the connective tissue between the antlers and the skull weakens to the extent that it can no longer support the antlers, as explained by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In Burgoyne’s case, witnessing the moose shed both antlers simultaneously was an incredibly rare occurrence. Often, a bull may shed one antler and carry the other for days or even weeks. Therefore, capturing both antlers shedding at the exact moment adds a unique and extraordinary aspect to the footage, turning it into a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.
For Burgoyne, it was akin to winning the wildlife filming lottery, providing a captivating glimpse into the natural behaviors of these majestic creatures in the Canadian wilderness.