For generations, moose thrived in northern Minnesota. Since 2006, however, almost two-thirds of Minnesota’s moose population has died off, dropping from more than 8,000 to around 3,000 by 2013. This drop in population is a direct result of increasing temperatures and carbon emissions. The average winter temperature in the Lake Superior area has continually climbed since 1960, and the impacts are clear.

Moose are facing a multifaceted assault due to changing conditions. With rising temperatures, new species have moved into areas historically home to large moose populations. The main species making this journey is the whitetail deer. Deer and moose are not typically known to share spaces in northern Minnesota, but deer are making the trek from farther south in the state, where winters are warmer.