Yukon wildlife officials say a recently discovered infestation of winter ticks, a new invasive species in the territory, has hit elk herds and could pose a serious risk to moose.

The territorial Environment Department found the infestation in Takhini and Braeburn-area elk herds while tracking herds for a radio collaring program. The ticks were verified after being sent to B.C.'s Centre for Disease Control laboratory. The winter tick is also known as the moose tick or elk tick.

Wildlife officials found this female (left) and male winter tick on an elk while collaring herds in March.
(Kyle Russell/Yukon Environment Department)

"We haven't found this tick on any other wildlife in this area," department wildlife veterinarian Michelle Oakley said Tuesday, adding the ticks are more commonly found in areas further south.

"I'd say that climate change or at least different weather patterns ... definitely could have had something to do with it," she said.

For now, Oakley said the elk population seems relatively unharmed. The winter tick does not pose a risk to elk or humans, but can be deadly to moose and other animals.

"The winter tick does not pose any risk to human health. It doesn't carry Lyme disease. It's not something that we're worried about for people, but this tick is associated with die-offs in moose in other jurisdictions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba ...," she said.

Moose infected with many winter ticks can lose hair and blood and end up spending too much energy scratching tick bites and less time feeding. As a result, they can die from emaciation and exposure due to hair loss.

Oakley said there is a small chance the tick infestation will spread from elk to moose, since moose do not tend to frequent the same areas as elk. Regardless, she said wildlife officials will monitor the situation closely.