The DNR has killed a beloved Rogers City moose, and lawmakers want to know why – 9&10 News

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the Northern Michigan House sent a letter to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources requesting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a beloved moose in Rogers City.

The bull elk, named Roger in honor of Rogers City, was recently killed by the DNR without any consultation with local officials or notification to the public.

“The DNR’s conduct in handling this incident was nothing short of trigger-happy,” said state Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “There must have been a better way to handle this, and I can’t imagine that more reporting and preparation steps shouldn’t be taken. The entire community of Rogers City is collectively heartbroken following Roger’s murder. My office has been inundated with messages from grieving and outraged community members seeking answers as to why the DNR made this senseless decision.”

Roger the Elk visited Rogers City in the fall for the past two years. The moose’s return to Rogers City in the fall of 2024 prompted an increase in human-initiated interactions, which understandably led to behavioral changes.

Despite these interactions and the increase in reports of unpredictable behavior, Cavitt says the DNR has failed to take proactive measures to relocate or monitor Roger to prevent the escalation that led to his death.

“I understand we need to protect the public, but there should have been a public forum on relocation before he was killed,” Cavitt said. “Roger was a member of our community. The DNR’s misguided belief that it could serve as judge, jury and executioner is completely unacceptable.”

Last month, the Rogers City Council formally adopted a resolution calling on the DNR to investigate their animal relocation and euthanasia procedures in response to the public outcry following Roger’s death.