Biologists are looking at what might account for the success of moose on the North Dakota prairie, while their Minnesota forest cousins are disappearing. One theory is that diseases carried by forest parasites are not found on the prairie.

A moose, far astray from its north woods Minnesota habitat, has been plodding around the southern part of the state. It was recently spotted near Winthrop, roughly 80 miles southwest of the Twin Cities, the Mankato Free Press reports. “Generally, it’s young bulls who do this," a DNR biologist said. "They just have a lot of wander in them.”

The mysterious moose die-off seems to be continuing, according to the DNR's latest surveys. The agency says it will consult with experts and announce a decision on the hunting season in the next few weeks.

Bullwinkle Moose hailed from Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, but his species may become just a memory in the state. A DNR aerial survey shows northeastern Minnesota has already lost half its moose. Scientists don't know what's causing the animals to die off. The DNR doubts there's anything the state can do.

Officers seized more than 8,000 fruit and plant items that could be carrying pests or diseases that would hurt the area's agriculture industry.

A 2012 aerial survey last winter used 49 sample plots to estimate that there are about 4,200 living moose in Minnesota. The population declined 14 percent from last year. This decrease could impact Native American moose hunting in the region.