Moose Study Gets Underway in Northeastern MN

GRAND MARAIS -- New technology in tracking moose has DNR officials hopeful they can get some answers on the high mortality rate of the animals.

The DNR is working with several agencies including the University of Minnesota and Indian bands to study the moose.

DNR Research Manager Lou Cornicelli says in the past, their monitoring system didn't provide timely feedback.  But, the new tracking technology in the collars acts as a cell phone.  Cornicelli says the collars have sensors that monitor the animals' temperature, ambient temperature and heartbeat.  He says the collar will send researchers a text message when the animal dies so they can get to the animals within 24 hours of death.

Cornicelli says they plan to track more than 100 moose over the next 4-6 years.

For updates on the study and video footage, log on the DNR's website by clicking on the link.