Drone Footage Captured Rare Moment Moose Sheds its Antlers in Forest
by J Nandhini | Updated Jan 23, 2023
The moose is considered the largest member of the deer family and adult males have large antlers that are an important part of their physical appearance. However, after the breeding season, adult males shed their antlers as a means of conserving energy for the winter.
Recently, a wildlife photographer named Derek Keith Burgoyne recorded a very rare moment when he captured a moose getting rid of both its antlers by shaking its body on his drone camera. He described it as a "once in a lifetime moment". After capturing this rare footage, Burgoyne went to the location where the antlers were discarded, and collected the large and shovel-like antlers from the snow.
Burgoyne's video is being widely shared on social media platforms. He told ABC Chicago that the video was taken in Plaster Rock, Canada on January 12. Speaking about his luck in being in the right place at the right time, Burgoyne said "I consider this winning the lottery when it comes to filming wildlife. 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! A once-in-a-lifetime moment!"
RARE SIGHTING: Drone footage captured the moment a moose shed both its antlers in a forest in New Brunswick. The wildlife enthusiast says capturing both antlers shedding is a “once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
According to National Geographic, shedding the antlers allows a male moose to lose up to 27 kilograms in weight. Antlers begin to grow in April and reach full size by mid-September during the breeding season. Male moose use their antlers to assert dominance and defend against other males. Moose antlers can be up to six feet wide and are typically shed at the start of winter.
