MINNEAPOLIS — Two groups are seeking federal protection for a subspecies of moose found in the Midwest.

The Center of Biological Diversity and Honor the Earth say climate change, a changing habitat, disease and other factors have significantly reduced the moose population, down 60 percent in Minnesota alone in the last decade.

The organizations have filed a legal petition for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act. Besides Minnesota, the moose are found in northeastern North Dakota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Isle Royale, as well as a small number in Wisconsin.

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has 90 days to decide whether the petition merits further review.