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KUNC is among the founding partners of the Mountain West ڱ Bureau, a collaboration of public media stations that serve the Western states of Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Moose are relocating ‘on their own’ to Nevada from Idaho and Utah

A cow moose (right) and her calf are spotted in northeastern Nevada. These large mammals have been seen moving to Nevada from Idaho and Utah.
Nevada Department of Wildlife
A cow moose (right) and her calf are spotted in northeastern Nevada. These large mammals have been seen moving to Nevada from Idaho and Utah.

In 2018, there were an estimated 50 moose in Nevada. Now, there are more than 100, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and they’re moving into the state without help from wildlife managers.

“This is the first big game species that has kind of ventured into Nevada without our assistance,” said Kari Huebner, a state biologist. “And so they’re doing it on their own. They’re figuring out what type of habitat they like that works for them down here in Nevada.”

As was first by the Reno Gazette Journal, the moose are migrating to the state’s northeast corner in Elko and Humboldt counties. Both areas consist of wilderness with large patches of aspen and pine trees near flowing rivers. That’s considered the ideal habitat for moose, which primarily eat large amounts of leaves, twigs and aquatic vegetation.

What’s more, those parts of Nevada have very few sightings of wolves and black bears, two natural predators of moose.

Huebner says moose are likely coming from southern Idaho and western Utah in search of territory to raise their young. moose and .

This story was produced by the Mountain West ڱ Bureau, a collaboration between Wyoming Public Media, Nevada Public Radio, Boise State Public Radio in Idaho, KUNR in Nevada, the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Montana, KUNC in Colorado, KUNM in New Mexico, with support from affiliate stations across the region. Funding for the Mountain West ڱ Bureau is provided in part by the .
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Kaleb Roedel