Description
Significant mortality of moose (Alces alces) occurred throughout broad regions of northern and western Alberta in early 1999. Occurrences involving moose were recorded at local Alberta Natural Resources Service (NRS) district offices. A total of 1130 occurrence reports involving moose throughout Alberta between January 1 and April 30, 1999 were submitted to the author for review. Although there was considerable inherent bias in the sample, some general patterns emerged. Most moose (92%) had evidence of hairloss and 28% of them were dead. In the overall sample, 35% were calves; however in the subsample of dead moose with hairloss, 43% were calves. It is assumed that the hairloss was a result of infestation with winter tick, Dermacentor albipictus. Most occurrences (96%) were within the boreal habitats of northern and western Alberta and half of them were recorded in March (50%). It is apparent that excessive mortality of moose, particularly calves, occurred in late winter. The outbreak is considered a direct result of the interactions among moose, ticks, habitat, and weather. Weather appears to have been the ultimate force driving the interactions. Late winter snow cover and moose densities may provide clues for potential management actions in the subsequent fall period
Updated
October 29, 1999
Tags
Resources
Title and publication information
Type
Alternative Title
Occasional paper number 20
Extent
18 pages
Frequency
Once
Publisher / Creator Information
Creator
Publisher
Environment (1971-1992, 1999-2011)
Contributor
Place of Publication
Subject Information
Topic
Start Date
1998-01-01
End Date
1999-12-31
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Subject (LCSH)
Resource Dates
Date Created
1999-10-29
Date Added
2016-03-16T21:32:22.653786
Date Modified
1999-10-29
Date Issued
1999-10-29
Audience information
Language
Identifiers
ISBN (print)
0778508943
NEOS catalogue key
2358871
Local Identifier
I/788
Usage / Licence
Licence
Contact
Contact Name
Environment and Parks