Ever watch paint dry, grass grow, water boil or an Arctic Moose migrating? Even if you don’t, that doesn’t mean they don’t happen! Believe it or not, there are some people who love this. There is definitely an appreciation of watching – and valuing the process. So, how does that link in to the Norwegian concept of slow TV?”
Norwegian Slow TV – What is it?
Beginning in the 2000s, a Norwegian television station, NRK, popularized this type of television viewing. It can be watching a ship sail the waters, a train travel, like the Bergen Line (Bergensbanen), or checking out a herd of geese migrate. This leads us to moose.
Arctic Moose Migrate in Late April
Annually Norwegian moose make their way north. The moose start out just south of Kullberg and cross the Ångerman River so they can get to pastures up north. They return about six months later in October. This has been going on for thousands of years. People in and out of Norway are excited about watching the migration and it’s turning into a cultural phenomenon.
“The Great Moose Migration” also called Den stora algvandringen, has taken viewers by storm. It documents the slow trip of the migrating moose on a step-by-step journey. Sakte TV, or slow TV, features wildlife traveling or science processes that may not be the fastest moving, but they definitely are interesting.
Arctic moose cross the river as part of the journey north in search of food. The Ångerman River can have strong currents and become dangerous, so that might provide a bit of drama to the moose trek. Other than beautiful views with the occasional glimpse of a moose or three, there is no narration or soundtrack. It’s simply nature at its finest.
Moose Trails Mean Increased Viewership
It seems that watching Arctic moose migrate has been the trend and it’s growing over the past few years. Whether it’s relaxing, or predictable, or satisfying to watch the animals reach their destination, it’s become the new “thing” to watch these majestic creatures.
The Arctic moose Facebook fan group page has amassed over 80,000 members. Moose fans cannot wait to see what happens next. And the nice thing is there are no snarky comments from obnoxious characters, just an occasional bird flying through the viewing area.
Over a span of roughy 12 miles, about two dozen remote cams have been set up along with seven night cameras. The mooses’ trail will be documented thoroughly, much to everyone’s content. The migration ends the first week in May and the moose will return south in October.
A Few Final Thoughts
It may be insects eating leaves, a tugboat churning in a canal, the flight of a seagull, or the migration of a moose – it’s all very calming to watch. Some people consider it meditative and immersive, but best of all, it’s therapeutic – and that’s a good thing. Now go get the Arcticw Moose Tracks ice cream to watch the moose trek!
