Determined to find her the ideal match, the team at Birdworld – the UK’s largest bird park – searched across the country and found twenty-year-old Elk, a single male from Yorkshire who had been seeking a mate for years.

After a carefully orchestrated introduction, Moose and Elk have shown promising signs of compatibility, sparking hopes that their blossoming relationship will lead to a bond and successful breeding next year.

“Kettle and Moose were together for six years and had a wonderful relationship; they kept the keepers both entertained and on their toes,” said Polly Bramham, Living Collections Manager at Birdworld.

“Kettle was a firm favourite among keepers and visitors alike. Never shy, he would sit prominently in his enclosure, giving passersby an intense, yellow-eyed stare. If he spotted his keeper, he’d add a friendly ‘Hoo!’ and head bob. He was an attentive partner, always bringing Moose gifts of food and fiercely protecting her during nesting season.”

The pair even successfully hatched chicks in 2022, as Moose and Kettle learned over the years to build a proper nest and sit through the full incubation period. Although their chicks didn’t survive, these early attempts were crucial in strengthening their bond and helping Moose mature.

Sadly, their love story was cut short when Kettle passed away this summer.

“Despite our devastation at losing Kettle, we knew it was important to find a suitable mate for Moose as part of our Snowy Owl breeding programme,” explained Polly. “We were thrilled to find the incredibly handsome Elk, who we introduced to Moose as her neighbour before they were finally put in the same enclosure.”

Polly continued: “Partnering new mates can be a nerve-racking experience for keepers, especially when there’s potential for conflict. Fortunately, we were confident Moose and Elk’s laid-back personalities would allow for a smooth introduction.

“They didn’t disappoint – Moose ran up to Elk, nudged his face with hers, and then casually returned to her favourite tree stump to observe from a distance. Elk explored his new home, even settling into Kettle’s old spot, as though stepping right into his shoes.”

Time will tell if Moose and Elk’s partnership proves successful, but for Kettle, his memory lives on in a unique way.