Brainworm killed wayward moose in southern Minnesota
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A wayward moose that drew attention in November when it showed up on a farm in southern Minnesota died from an infection caused by a parasite.
The bull moose wandering around near Sleepy Eye was infected with brainworm, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Friday.
The illness is caused by a parasite, known as parelaphostrongylus tenuis, the DNR said. Pathologists at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory found lesions in the moose's spinal cord and brain.
The moose was in poor physical condition, which suggests infection may have been chronic and likely influenced the moose's wandering into southern Minnesota, the DNR concluded.
The moose became a curiosity after it was spotted for several days in mid-November eating apples at a farm near Sleepy Eye. It's uncommon for a moose to travel that far from northern Minnesota.
It was found dead a week later. DNR officials retrieved the carcass for examination.
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