What Killed The Moose?

Well recently on one of our hikes to check our trail cams we came across this calf moose. Nothing really noticeably wrong with it other then well being dead. Though recently in other trail cams we have found significant moose with what looks like Winter Tick. It's sad most calfs will not survive, and at least this one adult doesn't look like it is doing to well either. Harsh life when not only you have to deal with winter around here but tiny blood suckered.Show more

Here is some data on Winter Ticks:

Winter ticks feed on ungulate blood, particularly cervids. They mainly affect moose and to a lesser extent elk. They may be found on white-tailed deer, but their presence does not usually cause significant problems in this species. The impact of winter ticks on caribou in natural habitats remains little known.

Winter ticks can be observed on other animal species (domestic or wild), but this parasite causes little damage to these other species.

The winter tick can be found in tens of thousands on a single moose. It causes several problems such as:

hair loss and appearance of wounds;
blood loss;
weight loss and poor physical condition;
abnormal behaviour (confusion or presence outside of its natural habitat).

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