The DNR argues euthanizing one cow doesn't negate their commitment to growing the moose population in the U.P.
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ISHPEMING -- Although bombarded with phone calls for the last two days, the Department of Natural Resources claims there really wasn't anything more they could have done to save the moose.
"It was pretty much normal procedure,” said DNR wildlife biologist Brian Roell. “Unfortunately, the X factor in this case was the public."
The DNR concurred with the Ishpeming Police to shoot the cow moose on Monday after both agencies tried to relocate her from the city for several hours. A dangerous situation, says the host of Discovering, Buck LeVasseur, who had a near-death experience with a bull.
"It was of course during the rut, which is their mating season. They don't tolerate other males, which he must have thought I was a moose. He got up and he attacked. It was a very narrow escape,” recalled LeVasseur.
But he, along with most residents, was surprised and disappointed this incident occurred. The moose has been a welcomed addition to the U.P. since it was reintroduced here just 20 years ago. Unfortunately, their population has grown more slowly than anticipated with only 400 to 500 in the area.
Roell insists the DNR is still committed to growing the moose population here in the U.P. and believes the decision to euthanize one cow doesn't diminish that goal.
"These things do happen, and certainly the removal of a couple of individuals isn't undermining the survival of the species in the Upper Peninsula,” Roell said.
Many Ishpeming residents commented on TV6's Web site that they weren’t so sure and were planning to voice their concerns at a city council meeting on Wednesday night.
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