Moose Disease Presented By: Andrew & Simla

Location Moose observed at Elk Island National Park 40 km east of Edmonton in central Alberta, Canada Population estimated at 339 Bulls (adult males), Cows (adult females), & Calves (male/female <1 yr old)

Study Moose were observed from a vehicle using binoculars Grooming behavior was observed  Oral grooming (tongue, teeth, or both)  Scratch grooming (hoof of hind leg)  Head-rub grooming (side of head) Relative hair loss determined Shape of the “bell”  Tuft of hair hanging under the lower jaw

Observations October through April (Winter)  Proportion of hair loss & rate of grooming increased  Highest in March and April  Premature loss of winter coat Increased grooming:  Feeding activity  Hair loss

Observations

Hypotheses?

Results Hair loss and increased grooming due to winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus)

Winter Ticks Egg  Laid in spring time in ground litter  3-6 weeks they hatch Larva  Bunch together & wait for cold weather (autumn)  Climb nearest plant and wait for moose  A moose brushes against plant Tick “quests” (waves its forelegs and attempts to latch onto the moose)  Crawl down hair to base & bury mouth into flesh  After feeding they molt into nymphs

Winter Ticks Nymph  Feed and molt into adult male and female ticks  Takes several weeks Adults  Mate  Female takes her last feed Takes several days Engorges to several times her size  Female falls off in early spring and lay eggs

Winter ticks on moose Moose will aggressively groom themselves to attempt to dislodge the ticks  Results in hair loss  Hair loss excessive in late winter when adult ticks are feeding Body heat loss and blood loss  Spend more time grooming Increased energy expenditure  Less time foraging for food Reduced mass gain and depletion of reserves

Effect on Ungulate Populations Three main hosts: Moose (Alces alces), Elk (Cervus elaphus), White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Decrease in populations due to: Hair loss and damage (hypothermia), Chronic weight loss (reduced growth and fat stores), Anemia.

Numbers on Decreased Populations Isle Royale moose population (210 square mile): Year 2000: 1100 Year 2007: <400 Alberta, Canada proportion of moose (January 1 to April 30, 1999): 92% had evidence of hair loss 28% of them were dead. Alberta, Canada proportion of calves: January 1998: 0.44 March 1998: 0.26

Ideas about Management or Control?

Ideas about Management or Control Prescribed burning for control (Alberta, Canada): Reduces numbers of some tick species, Removes the leaf litter (forested areas), Does not completely remove duff layer (forested areas). Success of prescribed burning: Habitat type being burned, Weather conditions prior to the burn, Fuel load in the burn site.

Ideas about Management or Control A slow, hot fire must be maintained to remove duff and litter layer: Between snowmelt and leaf out in spring, Burning of engorged females (survive and lay eggs), reducing numbers of larvae transmission for fall. A fast, hot fire: In fall (September and early October) to reduce numbers of larvae, Might cause a decrease forage amount available to ungulates!

Ideas about Management or Control Using approved acaricides by dipping, spraying the entire animal with high-pressure sprays or whole animal dusts. Insecticide-impregnated ear tags offer some protection and control when ticks are infesting mainly the ears. Long-term pasture rest and rotation. Hire a guinea fowl !

References Drew, Mark; W. M. Samuel; G. M. Lukiwski; J. N. Willman “An Evaluation of Burning for Control of Winter Ticks, Dermacentor albipictus, in Central Alberta.” Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 21(3): Mooring, Michael & Samuel, W “Premature loss of winter hair in free-ranging moose (Alces alces) infested with winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) is correlated with grooming rate.” Canadian Journal of Zoology. 77: Musante, Anthony; Pekins, Peter; Scarpitti, David “Metabolic impacts of winter tick infestations on calf moose.” Alces