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Swedish public television producers have recently found themselves in a race against time to prepare for one of the season’s most awaited broadcasts. The flurry of last-minute activity, however, wasn’t due to mismanagement or inexperience—it was all thanks to the local moose population.
“There is a lot of moose traffic. They are waiting for us,” producer Stefan Edlund shared with Sweden’s public broadcaster SVT. “We had to make significant adjustments to our original plan.”
Edlund is part of the team behind Den stora älgvandringen, which translates to The Great Moose Migration or The Great Elk Trek. Since its inception in 2019, this three-week, round-the-clock livestream of the Ångerman River in northern Sweden has captured the journey of countless moose as they traverse thawed waters in search of spring pastures. Known as the “King of the Forest,” adult male moose can reach heights of nearly 7 feet at the shoulder and weigh close to 1,000 pounds, while females are somewhat smaller yet still impressive in size.
The 24/7 livestream commenced its seventh season on April 15. Credit: SVT
While moose populations have seen a decline since the 1980s, Sweden remains home to the highest density of moose on the planet. Current estimates suggest that between 300,000 to 400,000 moose inhabit the country at any given time, depending on seasonal changes. This year’s migration season has kicked off about a week earlier than expected due to unusually warm weather.
Originally scheduled to start on April 22, Den stora älgvandringen premiered on SVT Play on April 15 instead. For the next 20 days, 26 remote cameras connected by approximately 12 miles of cable will deliver continuous moose-watching opportunities to an audience that has steadily grown over the years. The inaugural season in 2019 attracted nearly 1 million viewers, while last year’s total climbed to around 9 million.
However, viewers should not expect to see massive herds of moose rushing across the river, located about 187 miles northwest of Stockholm. The migration is characterized by a more tranquil rhythm, often showcasing hours of untouched Nordic scenery interspersed with occasional sightings of moose. Despite the slow pace, many fans find the serene visuals and calming sounds of the forest to be a source of relaxation.
“I feel relaxed, but at the same time, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, there’s a moose. What if a moose comes by? I can’t step away!’” remarked a long-time fan to the Associated Press.
Source
www.popsci.com