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Montana's Moose Population

Ryan Hagerty, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

"Fieldnotes," March 2nd & 3rd, 2014: “Moose in Montana," by Matt Hannon. http://www.montananaturalist.org/

"Moose populations have been declining across the country at various rates depending on geographic location, and the northern Rocky Mountain region is no exception. Scientists are not sure why moose populations in Montana are dropping off, though they point to parasites, loss of old-growth spruce-fir forests, and warming temperatures as possible factors. Moose are cold-weather animals, and because they lack sweat glands, temperatures that rise above 80 degrees F put moose at risk of overheating. An increase in predators, such as bears and mountain lions, could be a contributing factor."

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