Maine's moose signals both a warning and a recovery.

The moose has long symbolized Maine and was placed on the state seal in 1820 and named the state animal in 1987; its population fell in the 18th–19th centuries and later rebounded after hunting regulations and forest regeneration. Recent concerns about parasites, warming temperatures, and habitat shifts have renewed attention to moose health.

Maine's moose is both a cultural emblem and an ecological indicator. The animal appears on the state seal adopted in 1820 and was formally designated the state animal in 1987. Moose have long been part of Indigenous and colonial histories in the region. Changes in moose numbers over centuries have tied the species to conversations about conservation, land use, and climate. What we know: - The moose has appeared on Maine's state seal since 1820 and was officially named the state animal in 1987. - Moose lived in the region before European settlement and were important to Indigenous peoples for meat, hides, and tools. - Populations declined in the 18th and 19th centuries because of overhunting and habitat loss, then grew again after hunting regulations and forest regeneration. - Adult moose are large and browse tall vegetation, which affects forest regeneration and plant communities. - The article reports recent concerns about parasites, warming temperatures, and habitat shifts that have put renewed focus on moose health. Summary: The moose continues to occupy a central place in Maine's identity and in discussions about how forests and wildlife are managed. Its historical decline and later rebound are cited as examples of conservation outcomes, while current worries about disease and climate effects have renewed attention to the species. Discussions and monitoring of these issues are ongoing; specific next steps are undetermined at this time.