Increases in moose, caribou, and wolves following wolf control in Alaska

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1996
Authors:Boertje, RD, Valkenburg, P, McNay, ME
Journal:Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume:60
Pagination:474-489
Date Published:1996
Keywords:Canis lupus
Abstract:

Short-term studies in the study area and southeast Yukon have previously documented substantial increases in Alces alces and Rangifer tarandus following Canis lupus control. The authors present a 20-year history beginning autumn 1975 when precontrol wolf density was 14 wolves/1000 km2. Control kept the late-winter wolf density 55-80% below the precontrol density during each of the next 7 years. The post-hunt moose population increased rapidly from 183 to 481 moose/1000 km2 during the 7 years of wolf control and increased more slowly during the subsequent 12 years reaching a density of 1020 moose/1000 km2 by 1994. The Delta caribou herd increased rapidly during wolf control, more slowly during the subsequent 7 years, then declined for 4 years from a peak density of 890 caribou/1000 km2. These caribou declines probably resulted from the synergistic effects of adverse weather and associated increases in wolf numbers. Wolf control was reauthorized to halt the Delta herd's decline in 1993. The authors conclude from historical data that controlling wolf populations, in combination with favorable weather, can enhance long-term abundance of wolves and their primary prey, and benefits to humans can be substantial.

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