Seth Moore, a wildlife biologist in Grand Portage, theorizes that recent years of warmer, shorter winters and hotter, longer summers have resulted in a twofold problem. The changing climate has stressed out the moose, compromising their immune systems. And warmer temperatures have allowed populations of white-tailed deer, carriers of brain worm — which is fatal to moose — to thrive.
Normally I have a negative gut reaction to anything the NY Times publishes. But I will say that for central Kentucky where I am at; the 2012-2013 winter was very mild. That DID have a relation to the Meningeal worm that I have to do monthly inoculations on my Alpacas for. The White tail deer do carry it and their droppings are eaten by snails that do travel into the pastures and are occasionally eaten by any grass eating animal.
Other parasites that were abnormally increased in population were nemotidirus and Strongyles including the Barber pole worm.
THIS year though the temperatures have been well below freezing for much of the winter and I expect to see a corresponding drop-off in parasitic infections because of that.
Here In Northeast Ohio we have had less than a handful of days with high temperatures above 32 deg since Thanksgiving. That is highly unusual for us. Also the Great Lakes are almost completely frozen over, not the least bit ‘normal’. .