2 May 2025 | Article

Moose at Risk – Time for Forestry Reform

The king of the forest is under threat. Sweden's moose population is in dramatic decline, yet browsing damage in forests remains a persistent issue. This reveals a fundamental imbalance in how we manage forestry, wildlife, and biodiversity. Today’s one-sided forestry model creates an unnecessary conflict of interest—where the moose becomes the scapegoat in a system shaped by human priorities.

During the 2023–2024 hunting season, fewer moose were shot than at any time in the past 50 years - just 49 959 animals. Yet browsing damage has not decreased. This should prompt both forestry stakeholders and regulatory authorities to pause and reconsider. The problem clearly goes beyond the number of moose in the forest.

In areas like parts of Södertörn outside Stockholm, local wildlife boards have chosen to protect the moose after years of alarming trends. Moose have not been hunted there for two years, and there are proposals to extend the protection for another three. It’s a step in the right direction - but far from enough.

The moose is a master of balance

According to a recent study the moose exhibits a remarkable ability to choose a balanced diet:

74.2% carbohydrates

13.1% protein

12.7% fat

Moose prefer broadleaf trees and berry shrubs - plants that thrive in species-rich forests. But today’s clear-cutting, soil scarification, and fertilization practices turn the forest landscape into monocultures of spruce or pine, where deciduous trees are suppressed and berry plants suffocated. When natural food sources disappear, pine becomes the only option - a commercial crop - leading to increased browsing and calls for increased hunting. But it’s not the moose creating the conflict. It’s us.

The forestry sector must be part of the solution

There is a concerning reluctance to look at how wildlife management and forestry are connected. Even though we have enough data, it is often used in a way that supports certain interests instead of finding solutions that involve everyone. The forestry industry and the relevant authorities need to have discussions that focus on more than just timber production.

It is possible to have both a profitable forestry industry and healthy biodiversity—but this requires focusing on long-term goals, not short-term profits. Blaming the moose for the problems in forestry is neither good for the environment nor is it ethical.

Give the king of the forest space again

The moose is not just an iconic species - it plays a vital role in the forest ecosystem. It deserves respect - and space. It’s time for Sweden to take moose management more seriously and stop sacrificing biodiversity in pursuit of short-term gains.

What we need is a new forestry agreement - one that aligns biodiversity, sustainable forest management, and wildlife conservation. For the sake of our forests, our climate, and future generations.

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