Moose juice - an alternative to cow’s milk?
Published 05 April, 2008, 05:22
Domesticating the moose was never going to be easy. But an experiment at a Russian farm 400 kilometres from Moscow seems to be bearing fruit. The aim is to tame the animal, in the hope it will be possible to milk it. Moose milk is high in fat and immune-system boosting minerals.
The moose is the largest deer in Europe and Asia, weighing an average of 500 kilograms. It lives for about 14 years.
They are not afraid of humans and will eat out of your hand. The main problem is that moose are independent animals and don’t live in groups. Once they feel they no longer need you, they won’t come back.
So, workers at the farm have come up with a clever ploy – using food as bait.
Moose spend most of the day roaming freely in the nearby forest, but when they hear the tell-tale signs they make sure they’re in time for breakfast.
When they hear humans calling, or the sound of tractors, they know it’s time for porridge. The meal is a special mix of bark and hot water which is easy for moose to eat and keeps them coming back for more.
Domestication kicks in when the animals give birth. The young are separated from their mothers, with a human standing in as replacement. The aim is to form a lasting bond between man and moose.
However, while the animals are friendly to people and lap up attention from eager tourists, sceptics say the chances of moose becoming as tame as cows is still a long way off.
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