Moose are the largest deer in the world and can weigh up to 770 kg. They can be found in North America, Northern Europe and Northern Asia and were once also common in Western and Central Europe. Young moose wander far and sometimes even come up as far as the Federal Republic of Germany.
In East Prussia, they lived above all in the estuary delta of the Memel at the Curonian Lagoon, because its preferred habitat is swamp and marshland forests, floodplain meadows and deciduous forests. Here they find their food such as fresh leaves, buds, shoots and water plants. With their spreadable hooves they do not sink into the mud. They are also excellent swimmers and can dive several metres deep.
Owing to its size, moose have hardly any enemies and do not flee immediately. Their peace and strength, as well as the fact that they are rarely seen, have contributed to their glorification.
Moose and their antlers, the "moose shovel", became symbols of East Prussia, which can be found, for example, in the Trakehner horse brand and in the logo of the country team.
Illustration:
Landscape in the Great Moosbruch near Lauknen/Gromovo in the southern part of the forest, 1994. Photo: Dr Christoph Hinkelmann