AUGUSTA

Moose population steady while New Hampshire lags

Maine’s moose population remains strong while New Hampshire’s is struggling.

Both states are using GPS monitoring collars to track and study their moose populations.

Lee Kantar – Maine’s moose biologist – told the Bangor Daily News that the state’s moose population is staying pretty strong and healthy.

In New Hampshire, wildlife biologists say winter ticks are weakening the state’s herd, with many dying of anemia due to blood loss. New Hampshire’s moose population had dropped by 3,000 in recent years, and now stands at about 4,500.

Biologists say colder temperatures throughout much of Maine in winter are sparing most deer there from the threat of tick infestation.

New Hampshire wildlife biologist Kristine Rines says climate change and warmer winters have escalated the winter tick problem in her state.

“You can get 100,000 ticks on a moose,” Rines said. In addition to anemia, Rines said, the moose also become vulnerable to hypothermia.

Maine biologists in the next few months plan to fit up to 70 moose with GPS collars, and plan to collar another 70 moose next winter, Kantar said.

“We have initiated a GPS telemetry study to examine adult female and calf survival rates in western Maine and plan to follow in northern Maine next year,” Kantar said.

Moose hunting has been suspended in Minnesota, which is experiencing a 25 percent drop in moose population each year.

State agency seeking storm damage information

The Maine Emergency Management Agency says it wants to hear from people who’ve suffered ice storm damage.

Maine is collecting information about the damage from the Christmas week storm that knocked out power to more than 160,000 homes and businesses and left many in the dark for a week.

MEMA says more information is needed to determine if the state might be eligible for assistance.

Spokeswoman Lynette Miller says it’s especially important to report major damage like burst pipes, heating and electrical problems and roof and structure damage from falling limbs and ice.

Mainers can report their damage by dialing 211.

BANGOR

Closing arguments being made in murder trial

Attorneys will submit closing arguments in legal briefs before a judge renders a verdict in the trial of a Bangor woman accused of killing her husband in a jealous rage.

Her attorneys are using an insanity defense in the trial of Roxanne Jeskey, who had suffered from problems after the removal of a brain tumor years before she killed her husband.

Police say she used weapons that included a box-cutter, plastic baseball bat and pliers. Her husband, Richard Jeskey, had been beaten and strangled.

The defense contends she suffered from seizures and psychiatric disorders. Testimony was heard by a judge, not a jury, at the defendant’s request.

– From staff and news services