Fact brief: Did the mortality rate of monitored Maine moose calves exceed 70% this year?

CENTRAL MAINE • July 22, 2026

Yes. Maine moose biologist Lee Kantar said 72% of the state’s GPS-collared moose calves died before reaching their first birthday in 2026. Kantar told Maine Public the monitored sample was fairly representative of Maine’s broader moose population, although conditions vary by location. Annual mortality among collared calves has ranged from anywhere between 8% and 87% since monitoring began in 2014. Winter ticks caused this year’s high death rate.