We have discussed previously how Colorado's Moose herd seems to be bucking the trend of their brethren in the Midwest and New England, seemingly "ignoring" the potentially the "big three death agents that global warming, winter ticks and deer brain disease normally engender on Moose populations................. 2300 Moose occupy the State and biologists feel that favorable weather and habitat have thus far favored the Moose there

Moose Population

 Healthier Than Ever

 in Colorado

kunc.org

Unlike other Western states, Colorado's

 moose population is growing. It's healthier

 than ever with an estimated 2300 moose 

across the state. While other states are

 grappling with why their herds are shrinking,

 Colorado is studying the population's fast

 growth.

 "Moose populations in Colorado are one 

of our success stories. Moose populations

 have been increasing pretty steadily in this

 state," says Brad Petch.

He's with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and

 helps manage moose in the northwestern

 part of the state. It's unclear whether moose 

are native to Colorado. Moose were first 

introduced in the 1970's. Since then, their 

growth has exceeded expectations.

"To some extent it's taken us a little bit by 

surprise, at least a couple of our more recent

 transplants have reached the objective we 

want to maintain much more quickly than 

we anticipated," he says.

Part of the reason moose are multiplying 

quickly is because of habitats in good 

condition and favorable weather. It's not

 the case in other parts of the country.

Minnesota Public Radio reports the moose

 population there dropped so steeply, moose

 hunting season was canceled this year. 

Climate change, disease, parasites and a 

changing habitat have been cited as possible

 reasons for the decline. Meanwhile, in the

 Rocky Mountain West, Montana and 

Wyoming have also seen shrinking

 numbers of moose.

One herd in southwestern Colorado has

 seen a lower rate of growth relative to the

 more northern herds. But, overall, Colorado

 is escaping the trend of declining moose.