In summary The moose population in Norway, especially in Telemark, has seen a marked decline in the last 30 years. There are reports of fewer moose calves, findings of sick and dead moose calves, and low growth in the surviving calves. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute has started a project to find out why elk calves get sick and die. Tick-borne diseases have been observed in dead moose, but it is unclear whether this is the direct cause of the deaths. Climate changes and habitat changes can also be contributing factors to the disease and death of the moose. The researchers expect that it will take several years to get clear answers as to what causes the disease in the moose. The summary has been prepared by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – There has been a clear, targeted shooting and reduction in the stock. Now we have relatively low populations compared to the last 30 years, says Ole Bjørn Bårnes, game manager in Telemark county municipality. From several areas in Norway there are reports that the number of moose calves is declining, discoveries of sick and dead moose calves and low growth in the moose calves that survive. And now the Veterinary Institute will find out why elk calves get sick and die. In the last decade, many have reported that the number of moose calves has decreased and that the remaining moose calves are small and in poor condition. But the cause is not known. Through the “Moose Calf Trample” project, a network of field contacts has been established in several counties who can go out and examine moose calves that have recently died, or that must be euthanized. – The moose with us plunder a bit. Both with weight development and reproduction. That is part of the background for us taking on such projects as we have done now, says Bårnes. Game manager in Telemark county municipality, Ole Bjørn Bårnes. Photo: Hilde Martine Lindgren / news Today’s moose population stands in contrast to the end of the 90s and the beginning of the 2000s. Telemark actually had the densest moose population in the world. More people should be autopsied According to Bårnes, they look for tick-borne diseases in the dead animals, among other things. The project aims to increase the submission of elk calves that have been found dead or euthanized due to disease. The calves will then be autopsied and examined, so that they can hopefully find out what is causing them to become weak and sick. They already see some common features. – Most of them have a disease we know well from, among other things, sheep. But it is not certain that there is a direct reason why these calves die, says Bårnes. The calves keep getting smaller. Photo: Private Can take many years At the Veterinary Institute, they have already received between 5 and 10 calves for autopsy. – It is not just disease that affects the moose, but it can also be climate changes and changes in habitat and plant composition, explains researcher Malin Reiten. Researcher Malin Reiten at the Veterinary Institute. Photo: Private Climate change can lead to an increase in the density of other animal species, and that new species enter the area where the moose are, she says. – They can also experience stress at higher temperatures. The total load can lead to a different disease pattern in the moose, says the researcher. Nevertheless, it may take time to get clear answers. – I hope we can get an understanding of what is going on. We probably won’t find out everything over one season. We probably have several years ahead of us, she says. Published 15.07.2024, at 07.08
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Decrease in the moose population in Norway due to disease – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
