Moose populations are in steep decline across the northern tier of North America. In May 2014, Alaska canceled moose hunting on the North Slope because of a "surprising and drastic" population decline of 50-75% since 2011. From Alaska to British Columbia, Minnesota to Manitoba, and Ontario to New England, moose populations have declined at an alarming rate.
Moose populations are declining even in places where there are no wolves. The New Hampshire moose population has declined 41% since the 1990’s; there are no wolves there.
Minnesota's moose population has dropped 52% since 2010.
Studies point to climate change, with warmer winters and summers, along with parasites such as ticks and b. tenuous, a brain parasite spread by white tail deer as likely causes of the decline in moose.
Minnesota: Moose, Wolves and Deer
Moose and wolves have co-existed in Minnesota for tens of thousands of years. White tail deer now inhabit more areas in MN than they have ever historically.
When MN had our highest, stable number of wolves for 10+ yrs (1998-2008), we had a healthy moose population and a high white tail deer population.
B. Tenuous is a parasite that originates in slugs and snails and infects both white tail deer and moose. This parasite affects moose by infecting their brains causing severe illness and inability to feed and survive. Moose have been euthanized after they were observed walking and swimming in circles for days.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Moose Mortality Study
New technology deployed in the DNR includes hair samples and GPS collars that track moose movements and will allow more data to be collected including the diet of moose. Now the DNR has more information on the predator-prey interactions that previously went unobserved deep in the forests.
Moose are weaker with weight loss and illness which likely causes moose to give birth to less healthy moose calves. The moose calves killed by wolves were often one moose in a set of twin moose calves. Last year’s DNR studies showed very high moose calf mortality. In 2014, 58% of calves in the DNR moose study were abandoned before researchers changed their collaring protocol. The MN moose mother’s behavior was different than in other state’s collaring events.
Minnesota DNR on the Moose Decline
The exact causes of moose mortality are not well understood. Previous research has demonstrated that hunting and predation by wolves are not the primary causes of adult deaths, and signs indicate the causes are likely multiple factors including poor nutrition.
LEARN MORE/RESOURCES: http://bit.ly/1nbpK99
Listen to the interview with a DNR researcher:
http://www.accessminnesotaonline.com/2014/07/09/saving-minnesotas-vanishing-moose/