GPS moose trackers aim to ease crashes
By Kyle Cheney, The BostonHerald.com
Why did the moose cross the road?
No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. Bay State scientists are using Global Positioning System satellites to track moose movements around New England in an effort to learn migration patterns and warn motorists in risky areas.
Although there has been just one fatality related to a moose-auto collision in Massachusetts history, they are becoming more common, and MassWildlife is warning motorists to expect a spike in the next two months.
“You’re seeing a recolonization of a population that had been missing in Massachusetts for decades and centuries,” said Tom O’Shea, assistant director at the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife.
He estimated as many as 700 moose are breeding in Massachusetts today. Male moose can reach 1,000 pounds, females more than 600, according to state data.
Moose breeding season comes to a close soon, and male juveniles are going to disperse, O’Shea said, and are “going to cross more roads.
Some 29 moose-car collisions have been reported this year. One moose was hit by a train, and nine of them have been relocated for safety.
In 2004, there were a record 52 mishaps involving moose, and experts worry that not all incidents are reported.
A University of Massachusetts research project conducted in conjunction with MassWildlife to track moose with GPS collars is expected to produce preliminary maps of migration patterns as early as January.
According to O’Shea, a comprehensive report is not expected until 2008. The report will include data pertaining to interactions between humans and moose.
Researchers hope to implement an elecronic warning system that would alert drivers in areas on roads where moose frequently cross.
Compared to Maine, Massachusetts collisions are rare. According to the MSPCA, from 1995 to 2000 there were 3,893 reported crashes in the Pine Tree State, where moose hunting is legal. In Massachusetts, hunting moose is illegal.
Why did the moose cross the road?
No, this isn’t the start of a bad joke. Bay State scientists are using Global Positioning System satellites to track moose movements around New England in an effort to learn migration patterns and warn motorists in risky areas.
Although there has been just one fatality related to a moose-auto collision in Massachusetts history, they are becoming more common, and MassWildlife is warning motorists to expect a spike in the next two months.
“You’re seeing a recolonization of a population that had been missing in Massachusetts for decades and centuries,” said Tom O’Shea, assistant director at the Massachusetts Division of Wildlife.
He estimated as many as 700 moose are breeding in Massachusetts today. Male moose can reach 1,000 pounds, females more than 600, according to state data.
Moose breeding season comes to a close soon, and male juveniles are going to disperse, O’Shea said, and are “going to cross more roads.
Some 29 moose-car collisions have been reported this year. One moose was hit by a train, and nine of them have been relocated for safety.
In 2004, there were a record 52 mishaps involving moose, and experts worry that not all incidents are reported.
A University of Massachusetts research project conducted in conjunction with MassWildlife to track moose with GPS collars is expected to produce preliminary maps of migration patterns as early as January.
According to O’Shea, a comprehensive report is not expected until 2008. The report will include data pertaining to interactions between humans and moose.
Researchers hope to implement an elecronic warning system that would alert drivers in areas on roads where moose frequently cross.
Compared to Maine, Massachusetts collisions are rare. According to the MSPCA, from 1995 to 2000 there were 3,893 reported crashes in the Pine Tree State, where moose hunting is legal. In Massachusetts, hunting moose is illegal.
posted by gab admin at 9:14 AM 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home