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Moose Health

Monitoring

Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission works to conserve, manage, and develop fish, wildlife, and plant resources in the Ahtna Territory according to culturally relevant values.  AITRC incorporates scientific best practices with traditional ecological knowledge to fill data gaps to better inform management and answer questions or concerns brought to us. 

AITRC's Board and other tribal citizens brought concerns over changes in the subsistence foods they consume. After hearing these concerns, AITRC formed the Moose Health Monitoring Program.

Moose have a cultural and economic importance, as well as, a practical importance to subsistence harvesters. Living off the land means cleaner, fresher, and more nutritious food. Monitoring the health of harvested moose will allow us to identify areas of concern, whether that be moose reproduction, moose health, or human health.

Sample Collection >>>​

AITRC is asking harvesters to collect samples from moose. The size of the samples are:

  • Liver (2 in x 2 in) 

  • Kidney (a 1/2 in slice from center)

  • Muscle Tissue (2 in x 2 in)

  • Jaw bone or 2 incisor (front bottom) teeth

  • A large chunk of hair

  • A blood sample collected with paper provided

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Please keep samples frozen until they can be delivered to AITRC or an AITRC employee can pick them up.

Analysis>>>

Sampling kits will be available at AITRC, Ahtna Inc., ADF&G, BLM, and NPS. Furthermore, if you would like to get a sample kit and cannot pick one up you can call AITRC and we can set up a time to deliver to you and your community. Samples can also be put in Ziploc bags- one sample per bag, if you do not have a sample kit, and the data form can be printed off of AITRC’s website. AITRC will analyze the samples for essential and non-essential elements and various diseases. This information will let us examine the health of the moose and the implications of consumption. There is no known risk of consumption at this time.

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Tsin'aen>>>

This project will not be possible without generous sample donations from harvesters. We thank you for taking the time to fill out the data sheet and collect samples so we can continue to do research that is important to the Ahtna people and the surrounding community.

As a sign of our thanks, those who submit a filled-out data sheet and all samples to AITRC  If you turn in a completed sample kit to AITRC you will get a $50 gift card. If AITRC employees sample your moose you will be entered in a raffle to win a $100 gift card.

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Emily Benson, 2024 Natural Resource Technician, and Tamra Jones, UAF Master's Student, collect a sample from a hunter harvested moose

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Ecologist, Kelsey Stanbro, and Master's Student, Tamra Jones, traveled to Texas A&M to process 2022 and 2023 samples

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Sean Cotteleer, 2023 Fish and Wildlife Technician, removes teeth from a moose. Teeth help us age the moose.

Project findings

The Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission entered year three of the Moose Health Monitoring Program, initiated in response to Tribal Citizens' concerns about meat quality and health risks. Focusing on environmental contaminants from historical mining operations and military dump sites in Ahtna territory, the project aims to ensure that subsistence resources are safe for consumption.

Sample Collection: 2022 we collected eight samples, followed by 33 in 2023 and 41 in 2024. To diversify research opportunities, samples are sourced from hunter harvest, roadkill, educational, or ceremonial take.

Preliminary Findings:

Mercury: No high mercury levels were found in samples from 2022 and 2023.

Copper is an essential trace element for all living organisms, including moose. It is critical in enzymatic activities, immune function, connective tissue formation, and iron metabolism. In Alaska, copper deficiency in moose is a concern, often linked to poor soil quality or competition with other metals, such as high iron or molybdenum, which can inhibit copper absorption. Copper deficiency in moose can weaken immunity, making them more susceptible to diseases and parasites. It can also cause poor growth, fertility issues, and developmental abnormalities such as bone and connective tissue disorders. While copper is essential, it can also become toxic at high concentrations. Copper toxicity may lead to liver damage and interfere with other metabolic functions. However, the primary issue in Alaska is deficiency rather than excess, particularly in regions where soil copper availability is naturally low. 

  • Hair: Among 24 moose samples analyzed for copper, only one showed an adequate level, while 95.8% were deficient or inadequate. Hair analysis reflects only the period of growth, which limits its utility as an indicator.

  • Kidney: Copper levels were well below the adequate range defined by existing studies. ●

  • Liver: Out of 39 samples, 14 showed copper below the minimum threshold, and values varied greatly. Additional analysis is needed to explore drivers such as location, season, or moose age.

  • Muscle: Muscle tissue generally had copper concentrations below the criteria, though muscle may not be a reliable indicator of copper status. However, it remains an essential nutritional source for human consumers.

 

Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal that poses a toxicological threat to wildlife. In Alaska, cadmium contamination is often linked to historical and ongoing mining activities and pollution from other industrial sources. Cadmium can accumulate in soils and be taken up by plants, which are subsequently consumed by herbivores like moose. In moose, cadmium tends to accumulate primarily in the kidneys and, to a lesser extent, in the liver. Chronic exposure leads to the gradual buildup of cadmium over time, which can eventually reach harmful levels. The range of cadmium concentrations observed in moose kidneys is extensive, with significant overlap between normal and concerning levels, indicating exposure variability based on location and environmental factors. High levels of cadmium in moose can cause kidney damage, impairing the organs ability to filter waste effectively. It can also disrupt calcium metabolism, potentially leading to bone weakening and other physiological issues. Cadmium toxicity can reduce moose's health and survival rates, particularly in areas with significant environmental contamination. Sub-lethal effects may weaken moose, impairing their ability to find food, escape predators, and cope with harsh environmental conditions. 

  • Kidney: Showed a wide range (almost 100-fold difference) in cadmium levels, spanning average and concerning concentrations.

 

An Ahtna tribal citizen is conducting the analysis at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Texas A&M as part of her masters thesis. These data are preliminary, and the final findings will be published in a thesis and/or peer-reviewed manuscripts, highlighting significant drivers of heavy metal accumulation.

 

We are grateful for the continued support from Ahtna Inc., the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Bureau of Land Management, and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, all of whom assisted in distributing sampling kits to hunters in the Ahtna region. These projects heavily rely on public participation, and we appreciate those who collected samples. AITRC’s Ecologist remains available to discuss the work further with anyone interested.

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