Spatial dynamics of a migratory wolf population in winter, south-central Ontario (1990-1995)

Abstract

We examined the spatial distribution and movements of migratory wolves (Canis lupus lycaon) to a deer yard located adjacent to Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, during 5 winters from 1990 to 1995. Wolves from eastern and central Algonquin Provincial Park followed the annual migration of deer to yards located 13 km outside of the Park boundary. Spatial distributions were determined through mapping of telemetry locations and nearest neighbour analysis. We defined three spacing systems: consistent/high fidelity, clustered/moderate fidelity, and transitional/low fidelity. We found inconsistencies among packs in their adherence to these systems. Data indicate that areas of use changed quickly and tolerance levels among wolves in the deer yard were very high; alien wolves were recorded 163 times in close spatial and (or) temporal proximity. The social behaviour exhibited by this migratory population of wolves has never been recorded in a forested wolf-deer ecosystem. Factors that may contribute to this behavioural plasticity include food abundance, a high degree of genetic relatedness among wolf packs, and high rates of human-caused mortality.Résumé : Nous avons étudié la répartition spatiale et les déplacements des loups migrateurs (Canis lupus lycaon) dans un gagnage de cerfs adjacent au parc provincial Algonquin, Ontario, durant les hivers 1990-1995. Les loups du centre et de l'est du parc Algonquin ont suivi la route de migration annuelle des cerfs jusqu'à des terres situées à 13 km en dehors des limites du parc. La répartition des loups a été déterminée par cartographie des lieux où les loups ont été repérés par télémétrie et par analyse des plus proches voisins. Nous avons défini trois systèmes spatiaux: présence persistante/fidélité élevée, présence en groupe/fidélité moyenne, présence passagère/fidélité faible. Nous avons repéré des exemples de non conformité à ces systèmes au sein des meutes. Les données indiquent que les zones utilisées changent rapidement et que le degré de tolérance est très élevé parmi les loups du parc de cerfs; des loups intrus ont été observés 163 fois à très grande proximité spatiale ou temporelle. Le comportement social de cette population migratrice de loups n'a jamais été observé auparavant dans l'écosystème forestier loups-cerfs. Parmi les facteurs potentiels de cette plasticité du comportement, il faut penser à l'abondance de nourriture, à un degré élevé de parenté génétique parmi les meutes et à une mortalité due aux humains particulièrement élevée.[Traduit par la Rédaction] Cook et al. 1750

Elk migration patterns and human activity influence wolf habitat use in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

“…In southwest Quebec, Canada, wolves living in areas amid low prey densities had higher adult and pup mortality compared to those living in high prey density areas (Messier 1984), and wolves in Alaska had larger litters in habitats with high levels of ungulate biomass (Boertje and Stephenson 1992). In the absence of alternative prey, we might expect wolves in our study area to make trips more commonly and uniformly to groups of summering elk, despite their remoteness from den sites (see Cook et al 1999). The availability of mule deer as an alternate prey resource may allow wolves the flexibility to respond to seasonal changes in abundance of migratory elk by shifting their diet (Garrott et al 2007) without significantly shifting their distribution.…”

Differentiation of tundra/taiga and boreal coniferous forest wolves: genetics, coat colour and association with migratory caribou

“…), elk {Cervus elaphus), moose (Alces alces) and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) (Young & Goldman 1944;Mech 1970). Studies by Cook et al (1999) and Ballard et al (1997) indicated that some populations or some individuals are migratory in forested regions of North America. However, there have been no studies comparing the genetics of migratory wolves identified directly through telemetry with wolves from populations without migratory prey.…”

Defining the predator landscape of northeastern British Columbia.

“…Numerous studies have established that range size and movement patterns of wolves are related to prey availability (density) and distribution, concluding that smaller ranges and increased tolerance to intruders/transients/immigrants result from high prey density and/or diversity, and degree of kinship (Fuller 1989;Cook et al 1999). Average wolf-pack territory sizes vary 14-fold among areas across North America (Fuller et al 2003).…”

“…Annual range sizes reported for wolves vary between 200 km 2 and >2000 km 2 (Cook et al 1999;Walton et al 2001), depending on density and availability of preferred and alternative prey. Most studies that have concentrated on territorial wolves that prey on ungulates, including deer, elk, moose, and sheep, have concluded that wolves maintain relatively stable annual territories (Walton et al 2001).…”

“…Sizes of winter and late winter ranges appeared to be a function of movement rates, whereas sizes of denning and late summer ranges were proportional to the extent of conifer habitats. Differences between summer and winter ranges and habitat use may be related to den use and pup rearing (Cook et al 1999;Walton etal.2001). …”