Seven out of 36 subway stations on Stockholm’s busy Red Line had to be closed on Wednesday after a confused moose managed to wander onto the tracks. The moose roamed the tracks for roughly four hours before being shot. The animal was killed by a wildlife ranger after efforts to capture the creature or lure them off the tracks failed.
Stockholm’s subway system has been in operation since the 1950’s according to the system’s website. There are over 100 stations, and more are slated to be opened by 2025. Tracks run both above and below ground.
According to a press officer from the subway’s operating company, the moose found their way onto the above-ground tracks around 11 a.m. They then wandered in through the Varby Station, located in a suburban area of the Swedish capital. Once on the tracks, the moose wandered back and forth on the southwestern portion of the line.
Various news outlets have said that the moose’s actions “caused havoc” for the popular form of public transportation. The animal’s movements caused significant disruption on the busy line. Although the number of stations closed varied throughout the time the moose was on the tracks, seven stations were shut down during the height of the closures.
Wildlife officials failed to capture the moose or entice the large animal to leave the lines on their own. After their failed attempts, the moose ran away, presumably trying to escape the people attempting to capture them. Around 3 p.m., a wildlife official shot and killed the moose. Regular travel resumed shortly thereafter.
Train and subway tracks can create significant barriers for wildlife and fragment habitats. They may separate animals from potential mates, food sources, or even fresh water. For this reason, wildlife may interfere with tracks as they attempt to cross or become stuck on the tracks. Each year, many animals are killed when they are struck by trains. Animals may also die after being electrocuted or becoming stuck.
Fragmenting habitat through building railroads, subway tracks, roadways, walls, and other barriers can severely impact wildlife. They can be hit by cars, or trains, or cut off from food and water. Wildlife Corridors can provide animals with safe access points.
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This article by Willow Lynn was first published by One Green Planet on 2 October 2023. Image Credit :Ondrej Prosicky/Shutterstock.
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