Moose Mortality in Eastern Interior Alaska

Bertram, Mark R.; Vivion, Michael T.

doi:10.2307/3803140

Cited by 65 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) were also present and thought to be at low densities (Bertram and Vivion, 2002).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Wolf (Canis lupus) Winter Density and Territory Size in a Low Biomass Moose (Alces alces) System

Lake¹,

Caikoski²,

Bertram³

2015

ARCTIC

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ABSTRACT. We investigated the winter density and territory size of wolves (Canis lupus) on the Yukon Flats, Alaska, where moose (Alces alces) was the sole ungulate prey, occurring at a low density and representing a biomass of ungulate food lower than previously studied in North America. Using locations (GPS coordinates) from collars deployed on seven wolves, we estimated territory sizes with adaptive kernel and minimum convex polygon methods. We then estimated wolf density from a population area defined by these territory sizes and counts of wolves in five marked packs. From November 2009 to April 2010, we obtained 6263 GPS locations. Pack size ranged from two to 10 wolves, with average size of 5.0 in November 2009 and 4.8 in March 2010. Average winter territory size for the five packs was 1433 km 2 with the 95% adaptive kernel method and 1608 km 2 with the minimum convex polygon method. Density (wolves/1000 km 2 ) was 3.6 in November and 3.4 in March with the 95% adaptive kernel method and 3.4 in November and 3.3 in March with the minimum convex polygon method. Territories were large and estimates produced by the two methods differed by 11%. Densities were low, and the two analysis methods yielded densities that differed from each other by 3% to 6%. Low wolf density corresponded with low biomass of ungulate food, suggesting that moose availability on the Yukon Flats likely limited wolf density.Key words: Alaska; biomass; density; GPS; moose (Alces alces); territory; wolf (Canis lupus) RÉSUMÉ. Nous avons étudié la densité hivernale et la taille du territoire du loup (Canis lupus) aux Yukon Flats, en Alaska, où l'orignal (Alces alces) était la seule proie ongulée. Il s'y trouvait en faible densité et représentait une biomasse de nourriture ongulée inférieure à celle étudiée ailleurs en Amérique du Nord. Grâce aux positions (coordonnées de GPS) prélevées à partir de colliers posés sur sept loups, nous avons estimé la taille des territoires au moyen de la méthode d'estimation adaptative à noyaux et de la méthode du polygone convexe minimal. Ensuite, nous avons estimé la densité du loup à partir d'une zone de population définie par la taille de ces territoires et par les dénombrements de loups de cinq meutes marquées. De novembre 2009 à avril 2010, nous avons obtenu 6 263 positions GPS. La taille des meutes variait de deux à dix loups, pour une taille moyenne de 5,0 loups en novembre 2009 et de 4,8 en mars 2010. La taille moyenne du territoire hivernal de cinq meutes était de 1 433 km 2 dans le cas de la méthode adaptative à noyaux de 95 % et de 1 608 km 2 dans le cas de la méthode du polygone convexe minimal. La densité (loups/1000 km 2 ) était de 3,6 en novembre et de 3,4 en mars avec la méthode adaptative à noyaux de 95 %, puis de 3,4 en novembre et de 3,3 en mars avec la méthode du polygone convexe minimal. Les territoires étaient vastes et les estimations obtenues à l'aide des deux méthodes différaient de 11 %. Les densités étaient faibles, et les deux méthodes d'analyse ont donné des densités qui différaient ...

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“…Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) were also present and thought to be at low densities (Bertram and Vivion, 2002).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The major prey for wolves is moose, and moose densities had been low (< 0.2 moose/km 2 ) at least since the 1960s (Bentley, 1961;Gasaway et al, 1992;Bertram and Vivion, 2002;Caikoski, 2010;Lake et al, 2013). Density in a 2010 survey was 0.11 moose/km 2 (Lake et al, 2013).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Wolf (Canis lupus) Winter Density and Territory Size in a Low Biomass Moose (Alces alces) System

Lake¹,

Caikoski²,

Bertram³

2015

ARCTIC

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“…Numerous studies have documented bears (sympatric with wolves) are efficient neonatal ungulate predators in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (Gunther and Renkin 1990, Singer et al 1997, Clark et al 1999, Smith et al 2006a, Alaska (Whitten et al 1992, Adams et al 1995, Bertram and Vivion 2002, Valkenburg et al 2004, Jenkins and Barten 2005, Minnesota Mech 1994, Carstensen et al 2008), and Canada (Hamer andHerrero 1991, Dekker et al 1995) and elsewhere where wolves are not present (Pojar andBowden 2004, Vreeland et al 2004). Black bears caused 50% of confirmed deaths by 15 July on the National Elk Refuge and 74% of the total mortality through October in northcentral Idaho (Schlegel 1976).…”

Section: Cause-specific Mortalitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Elk Calf Survival and Mortality Following Wolf Restoration to Yellowstone National Park

Barber‐Meyer

Mech

White

2008

Wildlife Monographs

184

301

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We conducted a 3-year study (May 2003-Apr 2006 of mortality of northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) calves to determine the cause for the recruitment decline (i.e., 33 calves to 13 calves/100 adult F) following the restoration of wolves (Canis lupus). We captured, fit with radiotransmitters, and evaluated blood characteristics and disease antibody seroprevalence in 151 calves 6 days old (68M:83F). Concentrations (x, SE) of potential condition indicators were as follows: thyroxine (T4; 13.8 lg/dL, 0.43), serum urea nitrogen (SUN; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), c-glutamyltransferase (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulins (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; 253.6 ng/mL, 9.59). Seroprevalences were as follows: brucellosis (Brucella abortus; 3%), bovine-respiratory syncytial virus (3%), bovine-viral-diarrhea virus type 1 (25%), infectious-bovine rhinotracheitis (58%), and bovine parainfluenza-3 (32%). Serum urea nitrogen, GGT, GG, and IGF-1 varied with year; T4, SUN, and GG varied with age (P 0.01); and SUN varied by capture area (P ¼ 0.02). Annual survival was 0.22 (SE¼0.035, n¼149) and varied by calving area but not year. Neonates captured in the Stephens Creek/Mammoth area of Yellowstone National Park, USA, had annual survival rates .33 higher (0.54) than those captured in the Lamar Valley area (0.17), likely due to the higher predator density in Lamar Valley. Summer survival (20 weeks after radiotagging) was 0.29 (SE ¼ 0.05, n ¼ 116), and calving area, absolute deviation from median birth date, and GG were important predictors of summer survival. Survival during winter (Nov-Apr) was 0.90 (SE ¼ 0.05, n ¼ 42), and it did not vary by calving area or year. Sixty-nine percent (n ¼ 104) of calves died within the first year of life, 24% (n ¼ 36) survived their first year, and 7% (n ¼ 11) had unknown fates. Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) and black bears (Ursus americanus) accounted for 58-60% (n ¼ 60-62) of deaths, and wolves accounted for 14-17% (n ¼ 15-18). Summer predation (95% of summer deaths) increased, and winter malnutrition (0% of winter deaths) decreased, compared with a similar study during 1987-1990 (72% and 58%, respectively). Physiological factors (e.g., low levels of GG) may predispose calves to predation. Also, the increase in bear numbers since wolf restoration and spatial components finer than the northern range should be considered when trying to determine the causes of the northern Yellowstone elk decline. This is the first study to document the predation impacts from reintroduced wolves on elk calf mortality in an ecosystem already containing established populations of 4 other major predators (i. para determinar las causas del descenso del reclutamiento (de 33 a 13 crías /100 hembras adultas) tras la restauración del lobo (Canis lupus). Hemos capturado, marcado con radiotransmisores y evaluado las características de la sangre y la seroprevalencia de los anticuerpos a enfermedades de 151 crías 6 días (68M:83H). Las concentraciones (x, SE) de los indicadores del estado pote...

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“…The landscape could then sustain more moose and thus higher populations of wolves that can also consume adult caribou [16] and their calves [17]. Black bears are another large mammal species that can benefit from forest regrowth [18] and strongly impact calf survival [19,20].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

et al. 2012

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The impact of anthropogenic disturbance on the fitness of prey should depend on the relative effect of human activities on different trophic levels. This verification remains rare, however, especially for large animals. We investigated the functional link between habitat selection of female caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and the survival of their calves, a fitness correlate. This top-down controlled population of the threatened forestdwelling caribou inhabits a managed forest occupied by wolves (Canis lupus) and black bears (Ursus americanus). Sixty-one per cent of calves died from bear predation within two months following their birth. Variation in habitat selection tactics among mothers resulted in different mortality risks for their calves. When calves occupied areas with few deciduous trees, they were more likely to die from predation if the local road density was high. Although caribou are typically associated with pristine forests, females selected recent cutovers without negative impact on calf survival. This selection became detrimental, however, as regeneration took place in harvested stands owing to increased bear predation. We demonstrate that human disturbance has asymmetrical consequences on the trophic levels of a food web involving multiple large mammals, which resulted in habitat selection tactics with a greater short-term fitness payoff and, therefore, with higher evolutionary opportunity.

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Moose Mortality in Eastern Interior Alaska

Cited by 65 publications

References 14 publications

Wolf (<i>Canis lupus</i>) Winter Density and Territory Size in a Low Biomass Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) System

Wolf (<i>Canis lupus</i>) Winter Density and Territory Size in a Low Biomass Moose (<i>Alces alces</i>) System

Elk Calf Survival and Mortality Following Wolf Restoration to Yellowstone National Park

Avoidance of roads and selection for recent cutovers by threatened caribou: fitness-rewarding or maladaptive behaviour?

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