May–July 2000 update for B8164

May - July

MOOSE MOVEMENT

Good News!!! B8164 had a calf. B8164 was located 7 times; 4 times in May, twice in June, and once in July. She and her calf were seen on June 5th and 29th. On May 25th, peak calving time, B8164's was in close proximity to a small island. This makes sense, since the islands usually afford some protection from predators such as bears. All of her locations are familiar (see home range map), since this moose has maintained a well defined home range. However, this spring she did find her home dramatically changed...there was a lot less water. Agassiz Pool was in drawdown (drained) to recycle nutrients and stimulate vegetation.
Note: November 14 an aerial survey indicated B8164 was alive and well. She was not seen from the air, but her collar signal was heard. Next month we will try to spot her and her calf.

RESEARCH UPDATES (May through mid-November 2000):

Four research moose died between May and the beginning of November.
Following are the necropsy summaries:

May 4: Viking Agricultural Area cow captured in February 1997. Her collar was heard on mortality mode on May 7. This moose was another victim to parasites and/or disease. She was very thin and appeared starved. Some of her hair was rubbed off from her shoulders and belly from scratching off winter ticks. There were many internal parasites. A tape worm cyst and a liver fluke were found on the right lung. There was a lot of scar tissue on that lung as well as on the lining of the heart. The liver was of normal size and didn't appear to have many liver fluke cysts. This cow was not pregnant.

September 23: Viking Agricultural Area cow also captured in February 1997. She was lying next to the highway between Thief River Falls and Warren. She was so sick she didn't move when the Highway Patrol tried to shoo her away. She was shot because of her condition and the potential of her causing a vehicle accident. A necropsy was not performed because no one with training was available, but a tooth was removed for aging.

October 18: Red Lake WMA cow captured in March 1997. She had been hit by a car, and her hind leg was broken. It was evident she had been laying in one place for several days, and neighbors thought she had been hit over a week ago. She had to be shot because she could not get up. Deer can sometimes live with just three good legs, but a moose needs all four. Aside from the injured leg she appeared to be in good condition. She had produced a calf which was still with her.

November 14: Viking Agricultural Area cow captured in March 1998. She was observed by residents near Viking and had appeared sick for some time. She was so weak she could barely stand up and had to be shot. A tooth was taken. Her bone marrow was in good condition.

35 Radio Collared Moose remain on the air:
Several collars could no longer be heard, probably due to battery failure. As of November 14, moose with active collars were located as follows:

Page 2 (For more research updates~Calf Production, Agassiz Annual Moose Survey, Moose Facts)