Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with North Atlantic Coast CESU Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK) is offering a funding opportunity to CESU Partner to evaluate tick impact on moose.  Moose populations are perceived to be in decline along the southern edge of their range in North America, with parasite infections being cited as playing a key role in these declines. In the northeastern United States, moose declines are largely attributed to winter tick infestations that cause calf mortality and decrease productivity. While winter ticks appear to affect moose susceptibility to late winter mortality, the impact of parasitism by winter ticks may also be exacerbated by secondary parasite infections. The role of other parasite infections and how they may interact with winter ticks to affect moose health remains unclear. This opportunity is to research on the co-distributions of parasite infections, including winter ticks, in moose.