Moose-Killing Tick Threat Looms As Far-North Climate Warms

"A small but dangerous parasite, the winter tick, is spreading north and west as winters become shorter and now is knocking at Alaska's border.

The winter tick, which has already devastated moose populations in New England and the upper Midwest, has been confirmed in Canada's Yukon Territory and in the Northwest Territories, where it's infecting elk, mule deer and some moose.

'Now that they're moving farther north through Canada, north and west, they're eventually going to arrive here, if they're not here already,' said Kimberlee Beckmen, wildlife veterinarian for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. 'We will be next. It's only a matter of time.'"

Yereth Rosen reports for Alaska Dispatch News May 8, 2017.