Observation: Found a dead moose in the lake; when Samantha met some people at the landing which were visiting the area said that the moose the day before was swimming in circles and struggling, the fisherman said that they were wondering why the moose wasn't coming to shore. We really don't know why this moose was in distress or what sickness it may have. I’ve been talking to residents and other people they think it maybe a parasite that went to the brain, there has been documentation we think around Maine of a moose that ran in circles and dropped dead from exhaustion. Can this disease be affecting other moose or is this climate change?
Follow up: Tina Tinker writes, "I contacted Eunice Dyasuk (ADFG) in Dillingham and told me they talked to Kristy from King Salmon and she seems to think that the moose has pink eye or conjunctivitis which would make a moose either swim in circles or stand in water for a long period of time. Local resident, who captured the video, said the moose had one eye clouded over. Eunice also said that fish and game never went to look for this moose, right now Neil is in New Stuyahok. Oh, I asked Eunice if this could affect other moose in the area and she said it can, but this does not affect humans."
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Consult: Kimberlee Beckman, DVM and Bob Gerlach, DVM, Dr. Gerlach writes, "I find the report of the circling moose very curious. I sent an email over to Kimberlee Beckmen for comment on the post. I would be concerned about such behavior as it could be a sign of encephalitis which can be caused by several things from a pathogen (bacteria, viruses, parasites), toxins or trauma. If behavior is seen again we might be able to work with the LEO and try to have a sample sent in for some possible testing. I will coordinate this with Dr Beckmen and get back to you with additional information." Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Resources:
Alaska Department of Fish & Game: Moose (Alces alces) "are an important source of food for Alaskans, and at least 7,000 moose are harvested annually in Alaska, amounting to about 3.5 million pounds of meat." Moose: Species Profile
Observations From Members