MARQUETTE — Beginning later this month — subject to weather conditions and other factors — the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Northern Michigan University will launch a new joint moose population study in the western Upper Peninsula to better understand trends and challenges the Michigan moose herd faces.

Sixty moose will be fitted with new tracking equipment over the next two years. In this first year of the study, 20 moose will be captured and equipped with radio collars, which will provide precise location data.

Date acquired on moose movements will help researchers understand survival and causes of mortality, pregnancy rates and birthing events. Representatives of the DNR, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and Northern Michigan University are scheduled to appear at a media meet-and-greet event Thursday at the DNR’s Marquette Customer Service Center, located at 1990 U.S. 41 South.