Expert: Minn. likely won't have moose much longer

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The head of a study that shows Minnesota's moose population continues to drop says the state probably won't have moose much longer.

Mark Lenarz is leader of the forest wildlife group at the Department of Natural resources. He says northeastern Minnesota has lost about half its moose population since 2006. Absent a drop in mortality rates or an improvement in reproduction, he says, the moose population will continue its decline.

The DNR's annual aerial survey, released Thursday, estimates the state's moose population fell from 4,900 in 2011 to 4,230 in 2012 — a loss of about 14 percent.

The population was estimated at 8,840 in 2006 and has declined since for reasons scientists say are not well understood. But diseases, parasites and a warmer climate are thought to be factors.