Moose

Moose are native to Michigan and are most commonly found in the western Upper Peninsula, where they inhabit remote, forested areas. Standing over six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing up to 1,000 pounds, moose are the largest member of the deer family and an iconic symbol of Michigan’s northern wilderness. They play an important ecological role as large herbivores, helping to shape forest structure and plant communities. Michigan's moose population declined significantly in the late 1800s, but a reintroduction effort in the 1980s helped reestablish their presence in the Western U.P. Today, researchers continue to study the population to better understand moose health, survival, and long-term conservation needs.