Determining Causes of Mortality in Moose Populations

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
Fund Source
Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund
Recipient
MN DNR
Recipient Type
State Government
Status
In Progress
Start Date
July 2011
End Date
June 2015
Activity Type
Analysis/Interpretation
Assessment/Evaluation
Inventory
Mapping
Monitoring
Research
Counties Affected
Cook
Lake
St. Louis
Cook
Lake
St. Louis
Project Overview

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Moose, one of Minnesota's prized wildlife species, are dying at much higher rates in Minnesota than elsewhere in North America. Recently observed increases in mortality rates amongst some moose in northeastern Minnesota have led to concern that the population there may be starting a decline like that seen in the northwestern part of the state, where moose populations fell from over 4,000 to fewer than 100 in less than 20 years. Additionally the specific causes of increased mortality amongst individual moose, such as potential nutritional factors, remain unknown. Scientists at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources are using this appropriation to investigate the actual cause of death in recovered individual moose and determine what other factors may also be contributing. Once these causes of death and contributing factors are identified, it may be possible to implement management actions to address the overall population decline and help maintain healthy populations of moose in the state.

Project Details
Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03f
Appropriation Language

$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to determine specific causes of moose mortality and population decline in Minnesota and to develop specific management actions to prevent further population decline. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$5,000
Direct expenses
$300,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.81
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Legal Citation / Subdivision
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 2, Art.3, Sec. 2, Subd. 03f
Appropriation Language

$300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year are from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to determine specific causes of moose mortality and population decline in Minnesota and to develop specific management actions to prevent further population decline. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2015, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.

2013 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$300,000
Direct expenses
$300,000
Number of full time equivalents funded
3.8
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Measurable Outcome(s)

Click on "Work Plan" under "Project Details".

Project Manager
First Name
Erika
Last Name
Butler
Organization Name
MN DNR
Street Address
5463C W Broadway
City
Forest Lake
State
MN
Zip Code
55025
Phone
(651) 296-2662
Email
erika.butler@state.mn.us
Administered By
Administered by
Location

500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone
651-296-6157
Email the Agency