No abstract

Quantification of basic demographic parameters such as survival rates and cause-specific mortality is important for effective species management. We conducted a 4-year study (during May 2005-June 2009) of elk Cervus canadensis calf survival and cause-specific mortality in Pennsylvania, USA. We captured and radio-collared 93 elk calves 7 days old and monitored them weekly to detect mortality and cause of death. Of the 93 radio-collared elk calves, 15 (16%) died during our study. Despite high black bear Ursus americanus and coyote Canis latrans densities, none of the mortalities were the result of predation. Causes of death included poaching (N ¼ 3), legal harvest (N ¼ 2), road kill (N ¼ 2), pneumonia (N ¼ 1) and rumen acidosis (N ¼ 1). We were unable to determine the cause of mortality for six of the elk calves; however, predation was eliminated as a possible source of mortality in all unknown cases. Survival probabilities were similar between sexes and among years. Summer survival (birth-31 October) was 0.92 (SE ¼ 0.03, N ¼ 93) and winter survival (1 November-1 April) was 0.90 (SE ¼ 0.04, N ¼ 79). Annual estimated elk calf survival was 0.82 (SE ¼ 0.04, N ¼ 93). Our findings suggest that Pennsylvania elk calves have a. 80% chance of survival to one-year of age, despite high densities of predators known to influence elk calf survival elsewhere. The high calf survival rates that we observed indicate the availability of high quality habitat leading to excellent physical condition of elk.

Across eastern North America, Rocky Mountain elk Cervus canadensis nelsoni have been reintroduced to 11 states and provinces that were previously occupied by the extinct eastern elk C. canadensis canadensis. Outside of Kentucky, these elk reintroductions have resulted in small populations, typically numbering fewer than 1,000 elk per state. Limited information is available about the demographics and habitat selection within these small eastern populations. The availability of high-quality habitat during the first weeks of life is important for promoting annual recruitment and the identification of these characteristics should aid in management efforts. We characterized habitat at two spatial scales surrounding the bedding sites of 83 elk calves ( 7 d old) in the Pennsylvania Elk Management Area during the annual calving seasons of [2005][2006][2007][2008]. A concurrent study found that calves in this area experienced high survival (92%) during the first 4 mo of life, despite occupying an area with high predator densities. At a local scale, bedding sites used by calves were closer to ecotones, had less leaf litter, and had greater density of vegetation below 1 m compared to random sites (n ¼ 82). At a landscape scale, calf habitat surrounding bedding sites had greater density of edges between forest and open vegetation and less coniferous forest compared to random areas. The selected habitats appear to balance the high energetic needs of lactating females at the landscape scale and the need for cover to conceal calves and reduce predation risk at a local scale. Conclusions drawn from our models suggest future habitat management include enhancements of transitional vegetation along ecotones between forest and herbaceous openings that address the needs of both lactating females and recently born calves. We recommend that managers periodically evaluate the availability of calf habitat and calf survival rates. These monitoring activities will provide insight necessary to adaptively manage elk and the habitats driving their population growth to maintain their viability in the central Appalachian Mountains.