Moose scientists 'muzzled' during B.C. election

A conference that was supposed to explore the dramatic drop in moose numbers in B.C. has beenpostponed after government scientists scheduled to speak had to back out, organizers said.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the Spruce City Wildlife Association said experts slated to speak at its moose symposium in Prince George this weekend were told they're not allowed to discuss government business while the election is underway.

"So all the speakers, all the regional biologists, they could attend, but they couldn't say anything," said Jim Glaicar, one of the event organizers.

Glaicar says the conference will be rescheduled to sometime after the election, likely in June.

Moose on the decline

Organizers say the symposiuminvited biologists, hunters and conservationists, andwas to explore the dramatic drop in moose numbers.

Last year, B.C. reported a 50 to 70 per cent drop in moose populations in parts of northern and interior B.C.

"From what we understand, it's a myriad of reasons, from food sources, to predators, to ticks. There's not one item that anyone has been able to tell us. So the purpose of the symposium was to find out what all those reasons could be," he said.

Glaicar says he is disappointed the conference had to be postponed.

"I don't believe it's fair, and there's no secret information. We weren't looking for future policies, future plans. We were looking for:'Give us the numbers of moose and what your plan is.'"

In February, officials in Alberta announced that amoose that was killed by a vehicle near Medicine Hat tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

Last week, ayoung tick-ridden moose died after seeking food inside a Safewaygrocery storein Smithers, B.C. Conservation officers said thehungry moose collapsed and died after being tranquilized andrelocated outside of town.