Moose and Winter Ticks in Alberta

In Alberta, Canada, winter ticks are severely affecting moose populations by draining their blood, leading to severe health issues and even death. The ticks latch onto moose in late summer and continue their life cycle, causing the moose to become 'ghost moose' due to their pale appearance. This infestation poses a threat to humans as well, leading to increased wildlife management efforts. Climate change is exacerbating the problem by allowing more ticks to survive and reproduce, further threatening moose populations.

What is the primary issue affecting moose in Alberta, Canada?

• Lack of food

• Habitat loss

• Predators

• Winter ticks

How many ticks were found on a single dead moose?

• 150,000

• 100,000

• 50,000

• 10,000

What triggers the ticks to attach to a moose?

• The moose's movement

• The moose's scent

• The moose's body heat

• The CO2 in the moose's breath

What is a 'ghost moose'?

• A moose that has lost its antlers

• A moose that is pale due to tick infestation

• A moose that is nocturnal

• A moose that is albino

What do wildlife officials initially try to do with infested moose?

• Capture them

• Drive them back into the wilderness

• Euthanize them immediately

• Relocate them to a different area

Why might officials decide to euthanize a moose?

• To prevent the spread of disease

• To control the moose population

• Because it poses a public safety hazard

• To study the effects of ticks

What condition did the moose endure before its death?

• Severe cold and tick infestation

• Drought

• Starvation

• Predator attacks

How does climate change potentially affect the tick population?

• It allows more ticks to survive and reproduce

• It reduces the tick population

• It has no effect on ticks

• It causes ticks to migrate south

When do ticks usually fall off the moose?

• In autumn

• In winter

• In late summer

• In early spring

What happens to most ticks when they fall off in the snow?

• They die

• They hibernate

• They reproduce

• They find a new host