One of the mysteries of nature is why the moose of Northwestern Minnesota are dying and what this means to other herds.
Minnesota Public Radio reports:
A researcher says the moose population in northwestern Minnesota may not survive. The results of a five-year study of Minnesota moose mortality, show conclusions that are not encouraging for wildlife managers.
The story continues:
Warren Ballard, a professor at Texas Tech University, has been studying that data ever since. Ballard discovered two primary causes of death. Serious infestation by a parasite called the liver fluke, and deficiency in some important trace minerals.
"Both of these we call proximate factors," Ballard said at a recent conference in Fergus Falls. "That's the immediate cause of death. Ultimately it could be related to climate change. It's definitely gotten warmer in Minnesota in the last 40 years."
Moose eat mostly branches from trees like alder and willow. Ballard says warmer weather may have changed the trace minerals in the food source. He says that needs more research.
But Ballard says there's clear evidence moose don't do as well in warmer weather.
"Summer stress from high temperatures, basically overheating, can have a substantial impact on the condition of moose going in to the winter," said Ballard. "So in other words the warmer it gets in the summer they go in to the winter in poorer shape and are not as productive. "
More on the possible effect of climate change from my friend, reporter Rick Kupchella.
Another source for this story would be Gary Huschle of...
