Caribou calf mortality in Denali National Park, Alaska

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1995
Authors:Adams, LG, Singer, FJ, Dale, BW
Journal:Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:59
Pagination:584-594
Date Published:1995
Keywords:Canis lupus, Ursus arctos
Abstract:

During 1984-1987, caribou Rangifer tarandus calves (?3 days old) in the Denali Caribou Herd (DCH) were radio-collared. Overall, 39% of radio-collared calves died as neonates (?15 days old), and 98% of those deaths were attributed to predation. Most neonatal deaths (85%) occurred within eight days of birth. Survival of neontates was lower in 1985, following a severe winter, than during the other three years. Grizzly bears Ursus arctos and wolves Canis lupus acocunted for nearly all of the neonatal deaths. The rate of bear-caused mortalities declined with calf age, and bears killed few calves >10 days old. Wolf predation was not related to calf age and peaked 10 days after onset of calving. Grizzly bear and wolf predation on neonates during the calving season was a limiting factor for the Denali Caribou Herd.

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