Michigan’s moose population is on the decline. That’s prompting the federal government to consider extending the animal additional protections under the Endangered Species Act. We talk with Drew Youngedyke of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and Dan Kennedy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Federal wildlife officials are planning to review the status of moose in Michigan and three other midwest states. It comes after the feds received what they say is substantial information in a petition from two environmental groups. The review could eventually lead to protections for moose including threatened or endangered species status.
State wildlife officials say there are around 500 moose in Michigan, all in the upper peninsula.
Current State speaks with Dan Kennedy, the Endangered Species Coordinator in the Wildlife Division for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Drew Youngedyke of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, which represents more than 40,000 hunters, anglers, trappers and conservationists in the state.
This segment is supported by Michigan State University's Knight Center for Environmental Journalism. More news about the Great Lakes environment can be found at GreatLakesEcho.org and on Current State every Tuesday as part of our partnership.
