DNR to study declining moose populationby Curtis Gilbert,
Minnesota Public Radio ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources is embarking on what it calls
the largest study of moose deaths ever conducted. The study will
help determine why Minnesota's moose population has declined
almost 50 percent in the last six years. This month the DNR will
attach tracking collars and implant devices in the digestive
tracts of 100 moose. Both the collars and devices will alert
researchers when a moose has died. Scientists also plan to use
GPS to track moose in the northeastern part of the state.
Wildlife veterinarian Erika Butler said the goal is to autopsy
each moose as quickly as possible. "We're going to be doing
everything we can to remove the carcass intact," Butler said.
"And if that's not possible, we'll be doing extremely thorough
field necropsies." Butler said the DNR wants to know why moose
populations are declining. "One thing that's been very clear for
me working for the state of Minnesota i