'Nature: Moose: Life of a Twig Eater'
(DVD / PG / 2016 / PBS)
Overview: Moose populations across many parts of North America are in steep decline. This stunningly intimate nature documentary, filmed over 13 months in the spectacular wilds of Jasper National Park, takes viewers deep inside the world of moose to experience a mothers love and a calfs first year of life up close and personal.
DVD Verdict: For those not truly in the know, before you watch this endearing PBS documentary, let's get you brought on to speed on all-things Moose. The moose (North America) or elk (Eurasia), Alces alces, is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic ("twig-like") configuration.
Moose typically inhabit boreal and mixed deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere in temperate to subarctic climates. Moose used to have a much wider range but hunting and other human activities have greatly reduced it. Moose have been reintroduced to some of their former habitats. Currently, most moose are found in Canada, Alaska, New England, Scandinavia, Latvia, Estonia and Russia. Their diet consists of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation.
The most common moose predators are wolves, bears and humans. Unlike most other deer species, moose are solitary animals and do not form herds. Although generally slow-moving and sedentary, moose can become aggressive and move quickly if angered or startled. Their mating season in the autumn can lead to spectacular fights between males competing for a female.
There we go, all up to date and ready to tackle this lovely new PBS documentary, 'Nature: Moose: Life of a Twig Eater.' This stunningly intimate nature documentary takes viewers deep inside the world of moose to experience a mother's love and a calf's first year of life in a very up close and personal way.
I myself can actually say that I have been face-to-face with a Moose before now. Once, a while ago, but I was totally awed by the size of this most gentle and docile animal. I stayed in the lodge, but this filmmaker had to follow them into the wild for a year. It is sad that some 70% of the moose calves do not survive and there is over 60% reduction in moose population. This beautiful documentary was produced in Canada's largest park, Jasper National Park (a rugged wilderness that covers over 4,000 square miles) in the Canadian Rockies. You will appreciate moose much more after this documentary. What a nice getaway for documentary really is. Truly. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.78:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.
www.PBS.org