Extra Special Pets & Animals
Sep 30, 2009 10:32 am US/Central
Moose Wanders Near Minn. School, Into Town
DEER RIVER, Minn. (WCCO) ―
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Minnesota is one of the few strongholds for moose in the lower 48 states. Among other states with moose, only Alaska and parts of New England and the Rocky Mountains have large, stable populations.
Deer River Police Department
Students at Deer River High School got a surprise nature lesson without leaving the classroom after spotting a moose wandering around the school's bus garage.
Police and residents watched as the moose make its way through town and then back out to a meadow.
Deer River Police say more moose are making their way into that area and it might be because of the weather and habitat changes.
Researchers say such sightings of moose are likely to become more rare. A special advisory committee has warned that climate change threatens moose in Minnesota and recommended several steps to help them.
Minnesota is one of the few strongholds for moose in the lower 48 states. Among other states with moose, only Alaska and parts of New England and the Rocky Mountains have large, stable populations.
Minnesota has an estimated 7,600 moose, nearly all in the forests of northeastern Minnesota, where plentiful swamps, lakes and streams provide good habitat. Yet they're beleaguered by increasingly warm weather and parasites such as brainworms, ticks and liver flukes

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