| Summary: | Hair samples from 459 moose (Alces alces andersoni) in Saskatchewan were analyzed to determine concentrations of Ca, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Pb, Cu, Se, Mo, Mn, Co, and Hg. Regional seasonal and annual variations in levels of the mineral elements were documented. Peak levels for most elements were observed during the early winter period and low levels generally occurred in spring. Samples from two of the six areas investigated had significantly lower levels (P<0.05) of three of the four macro-elements (Ca, Na, K, and Mg). In addition, the Mn levels in all areas were well below the suggested low limit for normal cattle hair, and only one region was above the low limit suggested for iron. However, clinical symptoms associated with individual element deficiencies have not been reported.
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