European

European moose, called elk in much of Europe, is the Eurasian form of Alces alces rather than the wapiti known as elk in North America. It ranges across Scandinavia, the Baltic region, Poland, Belarus, Russia, and parts of northern Asia where forest, bog, and young woodland provide seasonal browse. Like other moose, it has long legs for moving through snow and wetlands, a dark brown coat, a pale muzzle area in some animals, and palmate antlers on mature bulls. Body size varies by region, with many European animals smaller than the largest Alaska-Yukon moose.

Management is mainly through public wildlife programs, hunting quotas, forest planning, and road-collision prevention. In areas with dense populations, moose can strongly affect young pine and broadleaf regeneration, so foresters and wildlife agencies balance browse pressure with conservation goals. Captive care in European parks and zoos calls for cool retreats, sturdy fencing, and quiet handling systems. Diets need steady access to browse rather than relying only on hay and grain. Translocation or rehabilitation should use animals of appropriate regional origin and follow national disease and welfare rules.

Colors: Black, Dark Brown