A research biologist and veterinarian participate in a Minnesota study on why moose die. Photo from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/15/science/earth/something-is-killing-off-the-moose.html?src=recg
In the article “Moose Die-Off Alarms Scientists,” Jim Robbins informs us about the puzzling decrease in moose population. The reason for this drop may relate back to climate change. Winters have become shorter for a species that thrives in cold weather. Parasites called winter ticks enjoy less snowfall and therefore are able to prey on moose. The heat stress can also cause exhaustion and ultimately, death. Another reason for the drop could be the unregulated hunting, but the fact that most of the moose are dying in the fall are telling to scientists and officials. Moose are important to the environment because they create habitats for nesting birds and they are also important to the economy because of moose-watching tourism.
