Unexplained bacterial meat spoilage during the moose hunting in northern Norway - a review of cases 2008-2021

Abstract

Background: Sudden and unexpected spoilage of moose (Alces alces) carcasses has incidentally been reported in northern Norway. Hunters describe a strong foul odour and greenish discolouration of moose carcasses, hence the nickname "green moose". Finnmark Estate has registered all reported cases of "green moose" in Finnmark county in the period 2008-2021. In 2013, a questionnaire was introduced to gather more detailed information. Bacteriological and histological examinations were performed on submitted samples of spoiled moose meat. The aim of the present report is to summarize the data gathered about the "green moose" cases, and to discuss possible causes.

Results: Ninety-three valid cases of "green moose" meat spoilage were registered in Finnmark county, giving this form of meat spoilage a prevalence of 0.85% of hunted moose. The carcass weights of spoiled carcasses were within normal weights for moose carcasses in Finnmark. Adult bulls were significantly more, and calves were less frequently affected by meat spoilage. No distinct geographical pattern or "hotspots" could be identified, but multiple cases in the same hunting area same year were reported. The meat spoilage was detected within 5 h after shooting in five cases, and 53% of cases were detected within 2 days after shooting. The meat spoilage was primarily found in deep muscle groups. Bacteriological analyses of 13 samples of spoiled meat were not conclusive. A mixture of aerobic bacteria was detected in 12 samples, and swarming clostridia in 10 samples. Histological examination of seven samples showed abundance of bacteria in fasciae and connective tissue surrounding blood vessels. Injury shootings were not more frequent in "green moose" cases than in moose hunting in general. Other possibly predisposing events to meat spoilage were evisceration later than 60 min after shooting, delayed skinning and contamination by ruminal content. Whether these events occurred more often in "green moose" than normal moose was difficult to determine, due to lack of reference data.

Conclusions: Based on the bacteriological results and the characteristics of the meat spoilage we suggest that clostridia are a main factor involved. How and why clostridia are spread to the muscles and causing the often rapid meat spoilage, is unexplained.

Keywords: Alces; Clostridia; Histology; Questionnaire; Shooting; Slaughter.

Fig. 1

Number of days from shooting the moose to detection of meat spoilage, based on questionnaires filled in by the hunters 2013–2021 (n = 45). The fate of the carcass (total or partial condemnation) is indicated in each bar

Fig. 2

Incision through thigh muscle in a case of meat spoilage in an adult male moose (Sample No. 4 in Table 4). A mottled greenish discolouration is visible, apparently following blood vessels and intermuscular connective tissue

Fig. 3

Gram positive rods in intermuscular connective tissue in a case of meat spoilage in an adult female moose. (Sample No. 2 in Table 4). Gram stain, counterstained with Fast green (muscle fibres stained green). Microphoto 630x