Wildlife

Moose Welfare and Climate Ticks

Moose across North America are dying from tick infestations that have exploded in range and intensity due to climate warming.

Key Facts

A single moose can host over 100,000 winter ticks
Heavy infestations cause anemia, hair loss, and death
Winter ticks have expanded their range northward with warmer winters
Calf survival rates in heavily infested areas have fallen dramatically
Climate-related tick expansion is projected to worsen significantly by 2050

Welfare Considerations

Moose infested with tens of thousands of blood-sucking ticks suffer from severe anemia, the exhausting physical toll of constant itching and scratching, and hair loss that impairs thermoregulation in cold winters. Ghost moose with severe hair loss are frequently seen in affected regions. Calves with heavy infestations die before spring, representing prolonged suffering before death.

What You Can Do

Support climate action to limit winter tick range expansion
Donate to moose research and conservation organizations
Advocate for monitoring programs to track tick-moose interactions
Support habitat protection that maintains healthy moose populations