Moose threatened by the climate change

Posted by Wayne G. Barber

Massive and unforgettable, moose are a favorite for hunters and wildlife watchers. Moose are superbly adapted for deep snow and cold climates, enduring extremely cold winter weather in their northern habitats. But their adaptation to cold weather is also a liability. Moose are in jeopardy across the lower 48 states—from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine; to Michigan, Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana. Not surprisingly, as the climate has warmed, moose are already feeling the heat in southern portions of their range, reducing their populations and loss of viewing and hunting opportunities. When it comes to rising temperatures, heat affects moose directly. Heat stress leads to dropping weights, a fall in pregnancy rates, and increased vulnerability to predators and disease.
A warming climate also affects prime moose habitat, as aspen and birch retreat northward. Increased winter tick infestations, due to higher temperatures and shorter winters that enhance winter tick survival, are the other major threat to moose from climate change. Severe infestations can cause high moose mortality, particularly in calves. Heavily infected moose may starve to death because they eat less when irritated by ticks, lose body heat due to hair loss, become vulnerable to infection, and suffer extensive blood loss to the ticks.
The New Hampshire moose population has plummeted by more than 40% in the last decade from over 7,500 moose to about 4,000 today. In the winter of 2014-15, 74% of radio-collared moose calves died from tick overloads in New Hampshire. As the moose population has dropped, the recreational activities and associated revenue surrounding the species has followed. In New Hampshire, the moose hunting season has been cut back, and permits have been reduced nearly 85% since 2007.
In 2014, moose hunting permits in Maine were slashed by 25% because of the explosion in the winter tick population. Permits were cut another 10% in 2015. Similarly, in Montana, moose hunting licenses have been cut by more than 50% since 1995. In Minnesota, moose populations are down 60% from 2006 levels, and moose hunting was discontinued in the state in 2013 due to the rapid population decline . As populations drop in the warmer southern portions of the moose’s range and the climate continues to warm, the future of moose hunting in the lower-48 states areas appears bleak.
Source: Bangor Daily News   BDN