Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Deer lice new concern for big-game herds

In this 2012 photo provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a fawn is shown with hair-loss syndrome in Stanislaus National Forest, Calif. California wildlife officials say an invasion of aggressive lice is causing deer across the state to go bald and is linked to numerous deer deaths. (Associated Press)
In this 2012 photo provided by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a fawn is shown with hair-loss syndrome in Stanislaus National Forest, Calif. California wildlife officials say an invasion of aggressive lice is causing deer across the state to go bald and is linked to numerous deer deaths. (Associated Press)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

WILDLIFE — Scientists across the West are raising concerns about a growing infestation of exotic deer lice that appears to be killing Columbian black-tailed and mule deer and recently turned up in Nevada.

The infestation has been on the rise, especially in Oregon, Washington, California and New Mexico.

Researchers said the non-native lice first appeared in the mid-1990s. They apparently weaken the deer during the long winter months, causing hair loss and distracting them from threats posed by hungry predators like mountain lions.

See the Associated Press story .

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog