Five elk calves have been found starved to death in Värmland in central Sweden recently, with experts fearing that the drawn out harsh winter may claim further victims.
Per Persson, an 85-year-old hunter living in northern Vämland, told the local Nya Wermlands-Tidningen (NWT) daily that he has never seen anything like it as the elk, rendered ravenous by the long period of snow-cover, seek to find food.
"The elk eat everything they come across. They are even eating spruce, it has gone that far," he said, confirming that five dead elk calves have been found in the area.
With the big thaw still a few weeks away, local authorities are warning that the food situation is set to remain parlous for the emaciated elk and more fatalities are to be expected.
"The reserves of fat that they have built up have run out now. The population is going to decline significantly," Per Larsson, a county conservationist, told NWT.
Global warming, eh? |