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9 July 2019 HEALTH SURVEY OF BOREAL CARIBOU (RANGIFER TARANDUS CARIBOU) IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA
Kristin J. Bondo, Bryan Macbeth, Helen Schwantje, Karin Orsel, Diane Culling, Brad Culling, Morten Tryland, Ingebjørg H. Nymo, Susan Kutz
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Abstract

Boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) are listed as threatened across Canada, and a basic understanding of their health status is lacking. From December 2012 to April 2013, we investigated multiple health indices for adult female boreal caribou (n=163) captured from seven herds in NE British Columbia, Canada. Health indices included physical characteristics, physiologic and trace mineral status, exposure to or infection with selected pathogens, and measures of chronic stress and inflammation, including serum amyloid A, haptoglobin, and hair cortisol concentration. Key findings were exposure to the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in 14% of individuals, mild to severe hair loss associated with winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus) infestations in 76% of caribou from December to early February and 81% from late February to early April, and evidence of trace mineral deficiencies with 99% and 34% of individuals deficient in copper and selenium, respectively. Seroprevalence for exposure to selected pathogens was: alphaherpesvirus (63%), pestivirus (1%), Besnoitia spp. (60%), and Neospora caninum (2%). All animals were seronegative to Brucella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis was not detected in any fecal samples. Parasite eggs or larvae, including Parelaphostrongylus andersoni (36%), Skrjabinema spp. (1%), Strongyle-type eggs (11%), Moniezia-type eggs (8%), and nematodirines (3%), were detected on fecal examination, but at low intensity. Blood biochemistry values and hair cortisol concentrations were within ranges previously reported in Rangifer tarandus sspp. Some significant differences among herds were noted, including antler morphology, exposure to Besnoitia spp., and concentrations of serum amyloid A, copper, cobalt, manganese, and iron.

© Wildlife Disease Association 2019
Kristin J. Bondo, Bryan Macbeth, Helen Schwantje, Karin Orsel, Diane Culling, Brad Culling, Morten Tryland, Ingebjørg H. Nymo, and Susan Kutz "HEALTH SURVEY OF BOREAL CARIBOU (RANGIFER TARANDUS CARIBOU) IN NORTHEASTERN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 55(3), 544-562, (9 July 2019). https://doi.org/10.7589/2018-01-018
Received: 23 January 2018; Accepted: 1 July 2018; Published: 9 July 2019
KEYWORDS
boreal caribou
parasitology
Rangifer tarandus caribou
serology
serum biochemistry
surveillance
trace minerals
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