In a poll conducted by the Finnish Forest Research Institute people want the moose population to be reduced. One third of those replying think that the moose population should be at least 20 per cent smaller than in the spring of 2004. The main reason for wanting to reduce the moose population is the traffic hazard.
Another reason is the large damage they are causing to the young forest stands in some regions. About on fourth of those replying thought that on national level its size is appropriate.

According to the replies regulation of the moose population is important for preventing collisions with moose. Many people have personal experiences of the dangers of moose in traffic and this fact is reflected in the opinion that building moose fences along the roads is a more important factor for reducing traffic hazard than regulating the moose population. Peoples' own, their friends' and their relatives' experiences of the danger of moose in traffic is the most important factor for popular opinion concerning the appropriate size of the moose population.
This poll constitutes part of the Research Institute's project "The appropriate number of moose from a social point of view and their impact on forestry, biodiversity and the management of forest ecosystems".