Effect of the wolf on the moose population

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1981
Authors:Nygren, K
Journal:Suomen Riista
Volume:28
Pagination:71-78
Date Published:1981
Keywords:Canis lupus
Abstract:

The increase in the wolf Canis lupus population in the eastern parts of the Pohjois-Karjala game management district and the simultaneous intensification in management and surveillance of the moose Alces alces population have made it possible to examine the effect of the wolf on the moose population subject to hunting. Moose density in the wolf area was about one animal less per thousand hectares of land than that in other areas of Pohjois-Karjala. In the autumn calf numbers in the wolf area were substantially lower than elsewhere. Apart from the wolves a contributory factor is also likely to have been hunting. Most (63%) of the moose killed by wolves were subadults, and most of these were calves. The moose population of the eastern parts of Pohjois-Karjala seems to be expanding at nearly the same rate as in other parts of the game management district. Considering that the overall number of moose hunted is deliberately kept lower than the annual calf yield and that hunters are less inclined to shoot calves than full-grown moose, it is apparent that the wolf evens out the composition of the area's moose population in a manner beneficial to yield.

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