Dayton to DNR: No More Moose Collaring

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton has ordered the state Department of Natural Resources to stop the practice of radio-collaring moose as part of studying the animals.

The governor's executive order Tuesday cites reports that the collaring has caused the deaths of some adult moose and the abandonment of some calves.

Minnesota's moose population has been on the decline, and researchers have hoped the collaring would help them understand why. The DNR had planned to collar about 50 newborn moose next month in the third such effort.

But the DNR had already said it would be the last collaring attempt if too many calves died.

Minnesota's moose population has fallen by more than half in the past decade.