Photo: Press Service of the Moscow Department of Nature Management and Environmental Protection
Animals need names to be included in their personal health passports
The "Active Child Citizen" platform has launched a survey to choose names for four moose — the symbols and pride of Losiny Ostrov National Park. Young Muscovites can learn more about these powerful and noble animals and choose the most suitable name.
Ships of the Forest
Currently, 10 to 12 adult moose live in the Moscow section of Losiny Ostrov National Park. They roam freely throughout the area, but prefer to remain unnoticed by humans. For their impressive appearance and graceful gait, moose are known as "ships of the forest."
National park staff monitor the animals' movements and health parameters using special GPS transmitters. Smart devices have already been attached to the collars of four moose. They also have health passports with biometric data and the ability to track physiological parameters over time.
To personalize the health cards, the moose need names that highlight their character and individuality. However, there is a condition: each animal's name must begin with a specific letter, which is indicated on the GPS transmitter.
Names for the moose
The youngest female moose is three years old, and her satellite tag is marked with the letter D. National park specialists believe the following names might be suitable for her: Demetra, Diona, Dina, Dubrava, Danaya, Dogada, Darina, or Deyana.
Another female is five years old. She's in the prime of her life and already has a wealth of life experience. Heritage says E, so the following names were chosen for her: Elka, Elena, Yesenia, Elaya, Yelma, Enoliya, Evia, and Eremya.
The wise guardian of the forest - the seven-year-old moose - needs a name beginning with A. The animal knows every path and clearing in the park, and her majestic calm exudes the power of nature. Young city residents might choose the name Arta (derived from Artemis), Ariadne, Aurora, Astrid, Astra, Athena, Aphrodite, or Andromeda.
The male moose is four years old. He is young, handsome, confident, and still possesses a youthful, playful spirit. The first letter taken from the tag is B. Suggested options include Boreas, Buran, Bor, Biant, Boethius, Bayar, Bias, and Briar.
Young Muscovites aged six to 14 can participate in choosing names for the four moose. A standard account on the mos.ru portal or authorization on the Moscow Electronic School platform is required.
For participating in the survey, children will receive points for the city's "Million Prizes" loyalty program. These points can be used to obtain goods and services from partner organizations in a special category on the program's website or in the "Prizes" section of the "Active Child Citizen" platform. These include school backpacks, board games, ice cream molds, promo codes for discounts at stores and cafes, and much more.
Researchers from the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IEE RAS) are participating in large-scale research on the Losiny Ostrov site, which began in 2024. Scientists conducted a large-scale ecological survey and discovered over 1,500 animal and plant species in the Moscow section of Losiny Ostrov. More than 200 of these are recognized as rare and protected.