THE STUDY OF MOOSE BEHAVIOR ON THE KOSTROMA MOOSE FARM

We studied 35 adult farm moose-cows, about 50 wild bulls (in the breeding season), and more than 250 newborn and developing calves. We used the “Los-2” radio-tracking system, the “Los-3” radio-telemetry system, radio-communication between experimenters, photo, film, and video recording of behavior, and magnetic recordings of moose vocalizations. Various aspects of moose behavior and corresponding changes of their heart rate and breathing rate were studied during 1977 to 1990 on the Kostroma experimental moose farm. The results and advantages of farms for the study of animal behavior are listed and discussed. Findings include work with specific time intervals, first behavioral reactions, bonding behaviors, and passive and active defensive mechanisms. The time interval from a calf’s birth to first standing varied from 12 to 58 minutes. The developmental sequence of the first functional behavior in a newborn calf is not preprogrammed genetically but is determined by the actual circumstances of the newborn