Minnesota

The population of moose in Northwestern Minnesota has declined significantly in recent years. The reasons why are the subject of "Minnesota's Moose Mystery." State and federal wildlife managers are conducting a study to see why this might be happening. The study focuses on three areas: the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, the Viking Agricultural Area and the Beltrami Island State Forest Area. Moose numbers have declined dramatically in these areas; for example, in Agassiz, from around 200-400 to 70. The main feature of the research itself is the tracking of the moose population. To do this, the moose must first be captured.

Capture begins with a locating moose from a helicopter and immobilizing them with a net gun, which is simply a rope net that literally lands on the moose. Moose are then fitted with radio transmitters and blood samples are drawn to check for pregnancy rates, disease, parasites and nutritional and contaminant information.

You can imagine how time consuming this is—and expensive. A summary of the 152 moose that have been collared to date is given on the Moose Mystery site. But there is much more to the Minnesota's Moose Mystery site than this, and anyone concerned about moose, nature and the environment will find it fascinating.