Conservationists Fight to Save Moose from Tick Epidemic
Concord, N.H. — New Hampshire’s moose, once a thriving symbol of the North Country, are in steep decline as a winter tick epidemic worsens. Conservationists say without urgent policy action, the state could lose one of its most iconic species.
Biologists link the surge in ticks to warming winters. Snow and deep cold once killed off large numbers of the parasites. Today, milder conditions allow them to survive and swarm moose by the tens of thousands, draining blood and often killing calves before they turn one. In bad years, mortality rates exceed 50 percent.
“This is climate change hitting us right in the face,” said Kristine Rines, longtime moose biologist for New Hampshire Fish and Game. “If we don’t reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect northern forests, we won’t have moose in New Hampshire.”
The moose population has already dropped from a peak of about 7,500 in the 1990s to fewer than 3,500 today. The consequences extend beyond ecology. Moose tourism and hunting licenses pump millions into rural economies every year. Losing them would deal a blow to the state’s outdoor identity and its economy.
Conservation groups are pressing lawmakers to take action on two fronts:
- Climate policy — stronger emission reductions, renewable energy investment, and regional partnerships to shorten winters less quickly.
- Wildlife management — better funding for research, adaptive hunting policies to reduce moose density, and long-term monitoring programs.
“People need to understand this isn’t just about saving an animal we love to see,” said one advocate with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “It’s about protecting our economy, our heritage, and the health of our forests.”
Advocates warn that without stronger state and federal policies, the winter tick problem will only worsen. They argue the moose crisis is a bellwether of the ecological unraveling already underway in northern New England.
The choice, they say, is clear: act boldly now, or watch New Hampshire’s most recognizable animal vanish from its landscape.
What Lawmakers Could Do Right Now
Conservationists say saving New Hampshire’s moose requires more than monitoring—it demands bold policy. Here are key actions state and federal leaders could take:
1. Pass stronger climate legislation.
Commit to aggressive greenhouse gas reductions, expand renewable energy mandates, and join regional climate compacts to address the warming winters fueling tick survival.
2. Fund moose and tick research.
Allocate new money for Fish and Game to track infestations, test management strategies, and expand the state’s moose study program.
3. Adapt hunting policies.
Adjust hunting permits to keep moose density low enough to reduce host availability for ticks, while ensuring long-term population stability.
4. Protect northern forests.
Support land conservation programs that preserve moose habitat, giving the animals the best possible chance to withstand environmental stressors.
5. Invest in rural resilience.
Provide economic support for North Country communities that depend on moose tourism, ensuring local economies survive as the state adapts.
6. Build public awareness.
Launch education campaigns linking moose decline to climate change, making clear that the issue extends beyond wildlife and touches New Hampshire’s culture and economy.
