MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Wildlife officials in Minnesota say the moose population in the northeast of the state has experienced an ongoing decline for reasons that remain unclear.
An aerial survey released by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources revealed lower moose numbers and the proportion of cows accompanied by calves declined for a 14th year, dropping to a record low of 24 calves per 100 cows, a department release said Thursday.
"These indices along with results from research using radio-collared moose all indicate that the population has been declining in recent years," Mark Lenarz, MDNR forest wildlife group leader, said.
Based on the survey, wildlife researchers estimate there were 4,900 moose in northeastern Minnesota, down from last year's estimate of 5,500.
Causes of the population decline are not well understood, researchers say.
Of 150 adult moose radio-collared since 2002 in Minnesota, 114 have subsequently died, most from unknown causes, although diseases or parasites are considered the most likely, officials said.
