A moose walks in a wetland along U.S. 41 in Marquette County near Michigamme in May.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will aid the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the federal agency’s evaluation of whether the northwestern subspecies of moose – found in four states including Michigan – should be added to the list of threatened and endangered species affording federal protection.”We will work closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota to further this important evaluation,” said DNR Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason. “Moose are one of Michigan’s iconic wildlife species.”
In an announcement today, the Fish and Wildlife Service found a petition filed by The Center for Biological Diversity and Honor the Earth “provided substantial scientific or commercial information” that listing under the Endangered Species Act may be warranted.
“This substantial 90-day finding initiates a rigorous status review in which the Service will determine whether the species warrants listing under the Endangered Species Act,” the Service said in a news release.
To ensure the process is comprehensive and the final determination is based on the best available scientific and commercial data, the Service has opened a 60-day comment period to solicit relevant information from the public.
The northwestern moose subspecies (Alces alces andersoni) being evaluated is found in the Upper Peninsula, including Isle Royale, northeastern and northwestern Minnesota, northeastern North Dakota, as well as a small, recently established population in Wisconsin.
During the subspecies status review – commonly referred to as a “12-month finding” –the Service will take a closer look at the moose subspecies population, including threats.
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