Parasitic worm a threat to Banff elk

CATHY ELLIS
BANFF

A blood-feasting stomach worm introduced to North America from Europe has been detected in the elk around this mountain resort community, raising concerns for the long-term health of the animals.

“It’s quite the mystery as to how wild animals in a relatively remote and isolated national park have become infected with this parasite,” said researcher Nathan deBruyn, who is doing a master of science degree at the University of Alberta.

Researchers say the worm’s emergence could have implications for birth rates and winter survival of the Banff elk. As well, they fear the stomach worm could spread to threatened caribou populations in mountain national parks and provincial lands.

DeBruyn, who uses samples from carcasses to obtain DNA markers for parasites, found all 12 elk tested were carrying a nematode called Spiculopteragia boehmi.

DeBruyn suspects the parasite in Banff is a result of recent elk relocations in the province, or from domestic livestock that also carry the worm.

The only other previous known occurrences in North America were in southern Texas, Ontario and Quebec.

In Banff, there are estimated to be fewer than 10 caribou in the park. Only five caribou have been observed this past year.

DeBruyn said this family of parasites has been shown to cause malnutrition, weight loss and anemia.

CATHY ELLIS
BANFF

A blood-feasting stomach worm introduced to North America from Europe has been detected in the elk around this mountain resort community, raising concerns for the long-term health of the animals.

“It’s quite the mystery as to how wild animals in a relatively remote and isolated national park have become infected with this parasite,” said researcher Nathan deBruyn, who is doing a master of science degree at the University of Alberta.

Researchers say the worm’s emergence could have implications for birth rates and winter survival of the Banff elk. As well, they fear the stomach worm could spread to threatened caribou populations in mountain national parks and provincial lands.

DeBruyn, who uses samples from carcasses to obtain DNA markers for parasites, found all 12 elk tested were carrying a nematode called Spiculopteragia boehmi.

DeBruyn suspects the parasite in Banff is a result of recent elk relocations in the province, or from domestic livestock that also carry the worm.

The only other previous known occurrences in North America were in southern Texas, Ontario and Quebec.

In Banff, there are estimated to be fewer than 10 caribou in the park. Only five caribou have been observed this past year.

DeBruyn said this family of parasites has been shown to cause malnutrition, weight loss and anemia.