Moose population steady in Voyageurs National Park

Moose
A bull moose in a sedge grass meadow in late summer.
Courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

A recent aerial survey shows moose in Voyageurs National Park holding their own.

Park biologists used airplanes to conduct the survey in January and counted 45 moose. They say seeing that many moose indicates the park's overall population is about 80 cows, bulls and calves.

It's the first comprehensive look at the park's moose in 17 years.

The last count, in 1992, estimated there were 35 to 72 moose.

Park officials say they're "pleasantly surprised" by the latest results, considering recent declines in moose population in other areas of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario.

One concern is that only three calves were spotted from the air, possibly indicating low reproduction.

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Information from: Duluth News Tribune, http://www.duluthsuperior.com