Can you take antlers found in the forest? You can, but foresters ask you not to — here's why
If you find shed moose antlers in the forest, can you keep such a gift of nature? Inna Dudarava, deputy director of Zhlobin forestry enterprise,explainsto the 'New Day' publication.
Adult male moose shed their heavy antlers (which can weigh up to 30 kg and have a span of more than 1.5 meters) annually — approximately from November to January. This mechanism allows the animals to get rid of an unnecessary burden after the mating season.
Shed antlers are a valuable natural resource. They are rich in calcium and phosphorus, and therefore become a life-saving aid for rodents (hares, squirrels, mouse-like animals), as well as for hoofed animals, which gnaw on them in search of minerals. This is especially relevant in winter and early spring when natural sources of micronutrients in the forest are limited.
"For the animals that live in the forest, this is a real treasure! Yes, for a human, antlers are a memorable souvenir, but for a hare, they are vitamin support during a difficult time," says Inna Dudarava.
From a legal point of view, collecting shed moose antlers in Belarus is not prohibited.
Nevertheless, forestry specialists strongly recommend approaching this ethically.
"When we take antlers from the forest, we bring home a piece of wild nature. But at the same time, we deprive animals of access to an important source of minerals. It's better to photograph it, admire it, and leave the find within the ecosystem. Let it fulfill its natural mission," says the expert.
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