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WTIP Outdoor News Podcast

Moose Habitat Update from Superior National Forest in Minnesota

Minnesota’s moose population continues to face a variety of threats, including brainworm transmission from deer, predation from wolves and bears, winter ticks, and changes to moose habitat in northeastern Minnesota.

While the 2023 population estimate of 3,290 moose marks a decade of Minnesota’s moose population remaining relatively stable. However, the future of Moose in Minnesota remains in question as the population has declined dramatically over the past 15 years. In addition, recruitment of new animals into the moose population has been challenging in recent years, primarily due to high predation from predators, according to Grand Portage Wildlife Biologist Seth Moore.

Although this year’s estimate dropped from 2022’s count of approximately 4,700, the change continues to reflect the population stability observed in previous years, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The DNR made a point to mention that Minnesota’s moose count “marks a decade of Minnesota’s moose population remaining relatively stable.”

Meanwhile, a diverse group of federal, state, county, tribal and conservation groups formed the Minnesota Moose Habitat Collaborative to improve habitat in prime moose territory and try to help moose recover in the region.

Cheron Ferland is a wildlife biologist for the US Forest Service on Superior National Forest. In this episode of the podcast, she share more about the work being done across Superior National Forest to help the moose population in northeastern Minnesota.