Health Survey of Boreal Caribou (Rangifer Tarandus Caribou) in Northeastern British Columbia, Canada

    July 2019 in “ Journal of wildlife diseases ”
    Kristin J. Bondo, Bryan Macbeth, Helen Schwantje, Karin Orsel, Diane Culling, Brad Culling, Morten Tryland, Ingebjørg Helena Nymo, Susan Kutz
    TLDR Boreal caribou in northeastern British Columbia have significant health issues, including infections, tick infestations, and mineral deficiencies.
    The health survey of 163 adult female boreal caribou in northeastern British Columbia from December 2012 to April 2013 revealed significant health concerns, including widespread hair loss due to winter tick infestations, trace mineral deficiencies (notably copper and selenium), and exposure to various pathogens such as Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, alphaherpesvirus, and Besnoitia spp. The study emphasized the need for ongoing health monitoring to inform conservation efforts for this threatened species, highlighting the complex interplay of environmental stressors and disease on caribou health.
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