They may be small but they cause big problems for Moose.
Winter ticks have a significant impact on moose populations when climate and habitat conditions promote high tick numbers.
That’s why members of the public are asked to help BC Wildlife Health staff monitor the number of moose affected with these ticks by taking part in an online moose winter tick survey.
Wildlife Biologist for the Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources Operation Mike Bridger talks about the effects these ticks have
“ The moose that’s seriously infested with ticks can be upwards of a hundred thousand ticks on it at any given time. Those ticks take a blood meal later in the winter so the moose spend a lot of time rubbing or grooming excessively and often break off a lot of their hair coat.”
To participate in this survey Bridger says to go the BC Government website and search for Moose Winter Ticks to download the survey and learn more about the program. Its quick and easy to fill out and can be sent back to the Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resources Operation that will provide important data for their surveillance program.