The beleaguered moose has ambled onto Minnesota's growing lists of troubled species, while wolves, snapping turtles and eagles -- doing better than in past decades -- have soared off the lists entirely.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources on Monday announced the final versions of newly revised lists of endangered species, threatened species and species of concern, the first major changes in 17 years.
Moose are one of 66 animals, reptiles, fish, insects and mollusks added to the lists. The updated list also includes 114 native plants on the list for the first time that botanists say are declining.
The moose, which has experienced a dramatically declining population, is listed as an official species of concern.
The little brown myotis bat, now facing a devastating attack from white-nose syndrome fungus recently found in Minnesota bat caves, is being added to the list as a species of concern in advance of any major downturn, as is the big brown bat for the same reason.
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The DNR proposes to end state designation for 15 plants and 14 animals that are doing well and to upgrade others. The peregrine falcon and trumpeter swan both are being upgraded from threatened to species of concern.
