These three animals along with one that was found behaving 'unnaturally' in the Woods Harbour area, were euthanised and transported to the UPEI pathology lab where Dr. Scott McBurney of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre conducted necropsies. He is now prepared to come to Nova Scotia on short notice when the next 'sick' moose is reported. He would like to conduct tests on the animal while it is still alive, and assess organ tissue when it is still fresh, immediately after the moose has been put down. Depending on the outcome of that work, we may consider moving a 'sick' moose into quarantine facilities at the Wildlife Park facilities in Shubenacadie, for further testing and observation while alive. Tissue samples have also been sent to a researcher in Sweden who has done extensive work on levels of contaminants, heavy metals and trace minerals in moose.
Initial results show elevated levels of cadmium.
In an acidic environment, cadmium becomes mobile and is more readily taken up by vegetation. When the vegetation is ingested by an animal, it accumulates primarily in the liver and kidneys of animal. It is too early to conclude that cadmium is actually a health concern for mainland moose. This aspect of the study will continue with the testing of any 'sick' or found dead moose reported anywhere on mainland Nova Scotia. Initial results of the general study show that moose in the core Tobeatic area do not seasonally move out of the area.