A drone captures a rare moment when a moose sheds its antlers in the forest

A wildlife enthusiast in Canada experienced a “once-in-a-lifetime” moment when a moose, filmed with a drone, shed both of its antlers in a picturesque, snow-covered forest in New Brunswick. Derek Keith Burgoyne’s extraordinary footage highlights a rare phenomenon that few have ever witnessed.

On January 12, Burgoyne observed three bull moose in Plaster Rock. Among them, two had already shed their antlers, while the third still sported both. Using his drone, Burgoyne captured the thrilling moment when the remaining moose halted, shook its body, and dropped both antlers into the fresh snow.

After filming the scene with his drone, Burgoyne eagerly continued documenting the event from the ground, following the moose’s trail to recover the discarded antlers. Although this was Burgoyne’s second time filming a moose shedding antlers, it was the first occasion he had witnessed both antlers being shed simultaneously.

Burgoyne described the experience as a rare treasure in wildlife filming. “When it comes to filming wildlife, I consider this to be winning the lottery,” Burgoyne shared with Storyful. “A bull can shed one antler while carrying the other for days or weeks. Having both antlers shed at the same time is extremely rare! It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!” he exclaimed, reflecting on what he described as “the best experience of my life.”

National Geographic explains that antler shedding, also known as casting, is a natural annual process for moose, deer, and elk following the fall breeding season. This event, beautifully captured by Burgoyne, underscores the remarkable and unpredictable moments that wildlife enthusiasts live for.

For those interested in rare wildlife footage and the natural world, Burgoyne’s video is a must-see, showcasing the stunning and elusive moments that nature can offer.