"There are two cutting-edge DNR moose research projects currently going on in northeastern Minnesota. We started out by getting more than 150 moose cows and calves GPS-collared. With global positioning systems (GPS), we can track their movements via satellite on a computer screen. We're looking at habitat use, disease, predation, climate change, food habits, even deer-moose interactions. The moose population has dropped from about 8,340 to 4,350 in the last eight years. Is there some kind of underlying health issue? Can we change their future? We have theories; it seems to be multiple causes. But at this point, there is no smoking gun."
Tom Rusch, Tower area wildlife manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Rusch will host a moose-calling contest and discuss moose research at 1 and 3 p.m. today at the DNR building at the Minnesota State Fair.
