OCR Text |
Show Blind Elk Calf Gets Help from Officer Eleaphor schneideri, an infectious parasite, has again shown its particular par-ticular form of dirty work.'Norman McKee, Panguitch Wildlife Conservation Con-servation officer, reports a blind elk calf he recently picked up displays several of the classic symptoms of the usually fatal disease. McKee received a telephone call from Fred Varela that he had a female elk calf in a corral at his ranch near Hatch. Apparently, Varela and a California cousin were in the area east of their ranch near Wilson Canyon when they discovered the lone calf. They headed it toward their ranch for safekeeping. According to McKee, "I suppose there were other elk in the area. Although blind, the calf appeared to be in fairly good shape. I believe its days are numbered, however. As the calf was weaned, it would have to fend more on its own. Surely predators or the elements would soon have taken it." The calf was taken to facilities at the Divison of Wildlife Resources office at 622 N. Main St. in Cedar City for safekeeping and observation, ob-servation, he said. The parasite was identified in local elk herds in 1978 when another blind calf was turned in to McKee by local sportsmen. That calf was younger and in much poorer condition. con-dition. The DWR officer said studies at Colorado State University indicate the parasite is carried by mule deer. However, the deer seem unaffected by its presence. The elk calves become infected by transmission of the parasite from the deer to the elk by way of the green-headed horsefly. The critical period of the year for the spread of the parasite is the May to July calving time. Dry, warm years seem to increase the incidence of the disease, perhaps because the horseflies hor-seflies are more numerous. If the calf is infected shortly after birth, death can result in a matter of days, the result of migration of the microfilaria to the brain. If this does not occur, the next stage is severe damage to the carotid artery and eventual death at four or five months of age. Not all elk die or bcome blind as a result of the infection from the fly. If the parasite is present in the elk and fails to reproduce, damage is limited to deformed antlers, cropped ears, or scabbiness on the nose or ears, but no blindness. The edibility of the meat is not affected. Several years ago, wildlife biologists examined the carotid arteries of deer taken during the fall hunt on Mt. Dutton. Sixty-one percent were found to be carriers. McKee notes that at the present time not much can be done to control the problem. Wildlife managers are aware of its presence and the problems it poses to the productivity of the elk herds in southern Utah, especially in warm, dry years. Sportsmen also need to expect some reduction in elk hunting opportunities op-portunities following a succession of dry years during calving time when the horsefly is more of a problem. After a series of years with good percipitation and high calf production, the 1985 elk calf per cow ratio dropped on most southern Utah elk herds, perhaps in response to an increase in the incidence of the parasite. |