NEONATE HEALTH AND CALF MORTALITY IN A DECLINING POPULATION OF NORTH AMERICAN MOOSE (ALCES ALCES AMERICANUS)

Moose (Alces alces americanus) populations in many areas along the southern extent of North American moose range, including Minnesota, have experienced decline. Ascertaining neonate health and cause-specific mortality is critical where calf survival low understanding underlying causes population dynamics important. To investigate mortality, we studied 43 calves shortly after parturition during 2013–15 2018. The observed natural rate was 84% by following January each calving season. Most mortalities were caused black bear (Ursus or wolf (Canis lupus) predation associated injuries (71%) but also included stillbirth (16%), orphaning (7%), generalized bacterial infection (3%), hunter harvest (3%). Neonate evaluated 27 hematology, serum biochemistry profile, maternally derived immunoglobulin. General parameters mostly within an expected range for normal adequate maternal immunoglobulin transfer. Importantly, these data contribute to a growing body literature on first report, our knowledge, immunity neonates.