RODDICKTON, NL— Two Clarenville moose hunters have raised concerns after a moose they killed on the Northern Peninsula Monday showed unusual symptoms.
Al Evans and John Butt both have plenty of experience with moose hunting, as well as hunting on the Northern Peninsula, but say they have never seen an animal with the symptoms displayed by the moose Butt shot near Roddickton Highway on Monday.
They say the cow, once cleaned and quartered, appeared to have been starving. Its bones were frail and brittle, and what little meat was on the animal appeared withered and had an odd, pale hue.
"There wasn't even enough meat on the neck to make a pot of stew," said Butt.
Yet, when the animal was shot, they say it had food in its throat and stomach, and there were moose droppings in the area.
The droppings however, were oddly lumpish – not the regular, button-like droppings of moose – and were a sickly green colour.
A Clarenville official with the Department of Fisheries and Lands, Wildlife Division did confirm the animal’s liver contained various parasites.
It is not known if the carcass, which is currently being held at the Wildlife office in Clarenville, will be studied further.
The Wildlife Division did refund Butt’s tags.
