Wolves Keep Brain Worm–Spreading Deer Away From Moose Populations in Minnesota

[UngulateNerd92]

Wildlife managers now face the challenge of creating conservation plans for all three species while maintaining balance between predator and prey animals.

In Minnesota, moose used to roam the boreal forests by the thousands. The population had 8,800 individuals in 2006, and since then, numbers in the northeastern part of the state alone have fallen by 64 percent, reports Liz Scheltens for Vox. Warmer, shorter winters, tick infestations, liver issues, wolves, and parasites all contribute to declines in remnant Minnesota moose populations, reports Dennis Anderson for the Star Tribune.

However, the biggest threat may be migrating white-tailed deer. As deer entered moose habitats, they brought brainworm, a fatal parasite to moose. While harmless to white-tailed deer, the parasite (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) causes disorientation, extreme weakness, and the inability to stand in moose. It may be a critical factor as to why Minnesota's northern moose populations have declined significantly.

Wolves Keep Brain Worm–Spreading Deer Away From Moose Populations in Minnesota | Smart News | Smithsonian Magazine

 

[birdsandbats]

Very interesting, thanks! Here is Wisconsin Moose are extirpated because of this parasite, even though the species occurs in both Minnesota and Upper Michigan. I hope the implications from this study will be to stop wolf hunting and reintroduce Moose, both of which I think would be very good.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Very interesting, thanks! Here is Wisconsin Moose are extirpated because of this parasite, even though the species occurs in both Minnesota and Upper Michigan. I hope the implications from this study will be to stop wolf hunting and reintroduce Moose, both of which I think would be very good.

That would be a good policy move to make! When were the last moose seen in Wisconsin?

 

[birdsandbats]

That would be a good policy move to make! When were the last moose seen in Wisconsin?

They disappeared some time in the early 2000s. We still get an occasional wanderer from either Minnesota or Michigan but there's no population and those animals tend to die pretty quickly.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

They disappeared some time in the early 2000s. We still get an occasional wanderer from either Minnesota or Michigan but there's no population and those animals tend to die pretty quickly.

Ah interesting. Thank you for letting me know. If they were to be reintroduced into Wisconsin, which localities in your state do you think would be best suited?

 

[birdsandbats]

Ah interesting. Thank you for letting me know. If they were to be reintroduced into Wisconsin, which localities in your state do you think would be best suited?

Most of the northern third or so of the state would be suitable. That part of the state is mostly still forested, a patchwork of young forests from recent logging and even some large patches of unlogged old-growth forests. These's lots of wetlands scattered all around in that area so there would be plenty of habitat.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

Most of the northern third or so of the state would be suitable. That part of the state is mostly still forested, a patchwork of young forests from recent logging and even some large patches of unlogged old-growth forests. These's lots of wetlands scattered all around in that area so there would be plenty of habitat.

Ah thank you. Would that land you are referring to be mostly state land or federal land (ie National Forests)?

 

[birdsandbats]

Ah thank you. Would that land you are referring to be mostly state land or federal land (ie National Forests)?

Split roughly 50-50 between the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and private land. There's also the fairly large Menominee Reservation.

 

[Pantheraman]

Now if only the game agencies would listen. (Pfft, they won't) (Looking at you Wisconsin). I have however, noticed Minnesota is more well behaved in managing wolves than the other states.