Musk Oxes Affected by Climatic Changes
The musk ox prefers a milder climate.
Unusually hot and moist weather caused an outbreak of pneumonia in fall of 2006 amongst musk oxes at Dovre in Norway. Aproximately 25% of the musk oxes where killed by the disease. The musk-flock faces an uncertain future if a milder and more moist climate will cause similar disease-outbreaks.
This is a short version in english of a longer article in norwegian. If you are interested in the topic please contact the person listed below.
A video of the musk ox at Dovre. Published with the authorization of: Per Johan Næsje in Video-film.no.
Contact:
Bjørnar Ytrehus; bjornar.ytrehus@vetinst.no
Reference
- B. Ytrehus, T. Bretten, B. Bergsjø og K. Isaksen, Fatal Pneumonia Epizootic in Musk ox (Ovibos moschatus) in a Period of Extraordinary Weather Conditions. EcoHealth (2008)
