Yesterday morning I was excited to spot a bull Moose bedded down and nearly hidden from view while I was up in Morgan County high in the Wasatch Mountains.
Ghost Moose – Bull Moose with a tick infestation
Unfortunate Delays
I had a late start to my morning because my change oil light in my Jeep had gone off earlier in the morning and I decided to have it changed before heading up into the mountains. I figured better safe than sorry and if the oil was changed quickly I could still make it up into the mountains while there was good light. The oil change took longer than I hoped.
Then I went to get onto I-15 and traffic was backed up on the on ramp. I saw a sea of red brake lights on all of the lanes of the interstate. I couldn’t check UDOT on Twitter on my phone because I was driving but I knew that if I got off on the next exit and I could take State Street to I-80. After about 10 minutes of waiting to even get onto I-15 I was finally able to take my planned detour and headed towards Parley’s Canyon and drove up into the mountains. I was later than I had expected to be but the light was still okay.
After The Delays
The delays I faced weren’t the best of things to happen but I might not have found the Moose without them. It had been quite a while since I had a Moose in my viewfinder so I was thrilled to spot this bull. When I first saw the Moose he was nearly hidden by vegetation. After a few minutes the Moose stood up and I took quite a few images of him as he looked around.
The Moose looked ratty and my brain told me he was just shedding. I was simply excited to have a Moose in my viewfinder without vegetation in front of him.
Ghost Moose – Bull Moose with a tick infestation plus inset
After I got home and started reviewing my photos of the bull Moose I realized that he wasn’t “just” shedding. The Moose was showing signs of tick infestation. The reason some of his coat looks so light colored is that due to the ticks and the irritation they cause he has rubbed off large sections of his fur which has left the lighter, damaged undercoat exposed. When this happens people call them “Ghost Moose” and it is a sign that they are unhealthy. And yes, winter tick infestations can cause death for moose, young and old.
Climate Change And Ticks
Climate change is causing warmer, shorter winters in Utah and around the country which means the ticks that cause infestations in these large animals can remain attached longer which increases blood loss in the moose and more hair loss too. The blood loss can be significant when these animals have thousands and thousands of ticks on them.
Sadly nothing can really be done for the Moose I photographed yesterday. I called the Northern Office of the Utah DWR and reported what I saw. I felt that I had to do that.
We can do more about climate change though and we need to do it now. Not ten years from today. Now. For Moose. For all wildlife. For the planet. For our children’s children.
Not everything I see when I am out in the field is wonderful. Sometimes what I see shakes me up and I feel a tremendous sense of sadness when I know that much more could and should be done to preserve nature and the planet we call home.
This is the first Ghost Moose I have seen and photographed in the Wasatch Mountains. I know it probably won’t be the last.
Life is good. We should be acting on climate change now to keep life good for us and future generations.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Moose photos plus facts and information about this species.
More information on Ghost Moose:
Winter ticks latch onto Utah’s moose
Climate change driving ‘ghost moose’ calf mortality, say researchers
Thank you. And how I hope that more of us learn that action on climate change needed to be taken yesterday – and definitely NOW.
Poor guy! I wish there was a treatment we could hit them with a dart. One shot and done for a year.
Sadly, I see many Ghost Moose here in the Spokane, Washington area. It is a tragedy. The entire Southwest should have solar panels on every rooftop and covering parking lots. Unfortunately, big utility companies and the politicians that are beholden to corporate dollars stand in the way of real, positive change. The whole LA Basin could be a giant solar farm instead of covering up precious desert land. Humans are just so disappointing at times.
Mia, I have enjoyed your photos and blog for years. Thank you for sharing your experiences with the wild.
Moose have been nearly eradicated from New Hampshire by ticks. One of many sad effects of climate change.
Sadly, those in charge of all the resources which could effect changes to make our planet more habitable for all living creatures including our own species aren’t going to do so because we are all just fodder in their sick lust for power and privilege.
Thank you for posting this important story.
Would it be possible for Fish & Game to dart moose with tick medicine? Is that too much of a stretch…