Place Names Cape Breton Island Cape Breton Highlands National Park Alberta French Mountain Lake Warren Lake North Mountain

Then, in 1947 and 1948, the government brought 11 moose cows and seven moose bulls to the park from Elk Island National Park in Alberta. Today moose are common again in the highlands of Cape Breton Island. Good spots for seeing them are French Mountain Lake, Warren Lake and the top of North Mountain.

A full grown moose is quite a sight. It stands two metres high at the shoulder. It weighs between 453 and 635 kilograms. For part of the year, bulls have antlers which may be up to two metres across.

The rutting season begins in September. Eight months later a cow gives birth to one or two calves. Sometimes bulls fight during rutting season. If their antlers lock, both animals can die of starvation. Usually the antlers fall off after the rutting season and grow again the next spring.

Having moose nearby makes life a little different for people who live in the highlands. Running into one on the highway can be serious, even fatal. They are huge animals. When there is a collision, the moose can fall on top of a car and crush it.

So, if you’re driving in the highlands, especially after dark, watch out for moose. People who live in the highlands know this and are ready to stop their cars quickly so the moose can walk away.

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