Parks Canada is warning drivers not to stop while on highways to let moose lick their cars this winter.

The peculiar message comes as moose have been trekking onto highways to lick salt off of roads and passing vehicles, says Tracy McKay with Parks Canada.

“It does sound very funny … It’s okay to laugh at it, as long as people drive responsibly and do what’s best for the wildlife,” she said.

McKay says Parks Canada puts out a warning every winter as moose venture down to highways to fuel their salt intake.

“Unfortunately, this kind of puts [moose] at risk of being injured or killed if they get hit by a vehicle,” she said.

“Parks Canada understands that seeing those wildlife is a real highlight for a lot of people, but we ask people not to stop … so that the moose can’t get used to licking salt off of the cars.”

      • Fenrisulfir@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        1 year ago

        Got the link? That site seems AB specific. Also, I just want to be clear that I’m not defending their behaviour in any way

        • schmidtster@lemmy.worldEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          That is for Alberta specifically, each province would have their own rules you would need to look up individually.

      • jimbolauski@lemm.eeEnglish
        22·
        1 year ago

        That’s only in parks, there’s nothing about baiting on private property.

    • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      It is illegal, but it is done.

      I do know some who play on the edge of the rules tho, like planting clover in small patches (which deer love munching on).

      In Ontario if you get caught using salt licks there are heavy fines and charges. But in many of the more remote wildlife management areas you can purchase multiple deer tags (for population control, and the fact that moose and deer don’t get along > deer push moose out of traditional areas).