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Study of Northern Minnesota Moose Populations to Increase

From University of Minnesota Duluth – Natural Resources Research Institute, 7/7/2010

Where are the moose? All over the map

Moose researchers discuss divergent studies at annual conference

INTERNATIONAL FALLS, Minn. — Only one thing seems certain about moose, they remain an interesting mystery. That’s surprising given the evidence that Homo sapiens have hunted moose as far back as the Stone Age.

It’s not for lack of trying to learn more. In late June, 140 scientists from the U.S. and around the globe – Sweden, Norway, Germany and Canada – gathered in International Falls, Minn., for the 45^th Annual North American Moose Conference and Workshop. And like the range of researchers, the information shared was all over the map.

In Quebec, wildlife managers are concerned that too many moose are munching down the forests. Wyoming researchers are documenting a decline in moose populations. In New England, there’s a problem with a thriving moose population and moose-vehicle collisions. Scientists also shared something they’d never seen before – a video of wolves swimming out to attack a moose in the water.

Here in Minnesota, scientists have recorded the dramatic decline of moose in the northwestern half of the state and are now concerned about declining populations in the northeastern half. Yet our neighbors in North Dakota are seeing moose in western and southern prairie ranges that are not typical for this species.

“This conference gives us the chance talk about data and new ideas that will lead to a better understanding of the challenges moose face,” said conference co-chair Ron Moen, a biologist at the Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth. “Solutions are possible when we invest in research on animals and habitat.”

Minnesotans love their large, lumbering, iconic moose. They are also a prized game for hunters. Studying moose is expensive but research funding received over the past year in Minnesota should help increase our understanding of this super-sized member of the deer family.

Current research is focused on the evolving complexities in the environment – warming temperatures, explosions of winter ticks, changes in wolf populations, predicted changes to forest vegetation – and how it affects moose.

“Our northeast moose population is declining, but we’re not confident it’s as simple as warming temperatures. Dew point might be just as important because it affects how much cooling a moose can do,” explained Mark Lenarz, a biologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. He cites disease and parasites as the major causes of mortality.

“We believe that some aspect of climate change make moose less able to fight off the effects of these pathogens,” Lenarz added.

Radiotelemetry and Global Positioning System collars have been used on moose to understand home range, habitats, and movements in many locations. For the next three years Moen, working with many other scientists, will be deploying collars on Minnesota moose.

“These collars are the best tools to help us understand why and how moose could be declining in Northeast Minnesota,” Moen said. “It will also help us develop habitat management guidelines that could give moose a better chance to persist in Minnesota.”

Moen is working with researchers from the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, Voyageurs National Park, the 1854 Treaty Authority, the Minnesota Zoological Garden, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Minnesota DNR.

Moose stressors

Warming temperatures – Moose can become heat-stressed when summer temperatures reach 60-70 degrees F, or when winter temperatures are above 32 degrees F. They tend to eat less and become weakened.

White-tailed deer – Increased deer populations appear to be linked to parasites and diseases in moose. Less severe winters also increase parasites and disease.

Liver fluke – This flatworm is a deer parasite that moose can acquire. It isn’t always fatal in moose but it damages the liver and potentially weakens the moose’s immune system.

Winter ticks – While uninterested in human hosts, an average of 33,000 ticks, and as many as 100,000, can be found on one moose. The feeding ticks can cause substantial blood loss, and moose rub off their hair coat trying to get rid of the ticks.