Moose population survey at Voyageurs National Park: 2016
Windels SK and Olson BT. 2016. Moose population survey at Voyageurs National Park: 2016. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/VOYA/NRDS—2016/1031. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota) was established in 1975 in part to fulfill the National Park Service’s mission to preserve and protect wildlife populations and provide opportunities for the public to enjoy them. Moose (Alces alces) are native to Voyageurs National Park (VOYA), but recent declines in other moose populations in the region raised concerns about the long-term viability of moose in the park. Moose populations in northwestern Minnesota declined precipitously during the period 1984–2000 (Murray et al. 2006). Moose populations in northeastern Minnesota have been experiencing similar declines in recent years, with recent estimates nearly 55% lower than the 2006 estimate (DelGiudice 2016). Voyageurs National Park is not surveyed as part of the state’s systematic annual survey because it lies just outside of primary moose range in northeastern Minnesota (Figure 1; DelGiudice 2016). Voyageurs National Park, in collaboration with the University of Minnesota–Duluth, began more intensive monitoring and research of moose in and adjacent to the park in 2009 to better understand local moose population dynamics. The moose population within VOYA has remained stable since 2009 but, due to the small size and relative isolation of the park’s moose herd, annual monitoring is needed to assist park staff in maintaining a viable population.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Windels, Steve; Olson, Bryce
- Date of Issue
- 2016-06
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- NRSS , VOYA
- Keywords
- Minnesota, moose, Voyageurs National Park