Publication Type: | Journal Article |
Year of Publication: | 1981 |
Authors: | Ballard, WB, Spraker, TH, P. Kenton, T |
Journal: | The Journal of Wildlife Management |
Volume: | 45 |
Pagination: | 335-342 |
Date Published: | 1981 |
ISBN Number: | 0022541X |
Keywords: | Ursus arctos |
Abstract: | During spring 1977 and 1978, 136 moose (Alces alces gigas) calves were radio-collared in the Nelchina and Susitna river basins of south central Alaska in an effort to determine causes of mortality. Thirteen calves (9.5%) died as a result of collaring activities. Of 123 remaining calves exhibiting normal cow-calf bonds, contact with 3 calves was lost and 66 (55%) died of natural causes. Predation by brown bears (Ursus arctos) was the most important cause of mortality, accounting for 79% of the deaths. Timing of the deaths of radio-collared calves was similar to that of uncollared calves of radio-collared adults, which indicated that collaring did not predispose the calves to predation. Ninety-four percent of the natural mortality occurred before 19 July each year. Little scavenging of either abandoned or predator-killed calves was observed. Radio-collared brown bears were observed on 78 kills during 1978, averaging 1 ungulate kill/6.1 observation days. Moose of all age-classes comprised 87% of the kills and calves were the most common prey (57%). Identification of brown bear as a significant predator of moose complicates attempts to understand and manage ungulate-carnivore relationships. |
URL: | http://www.jstor.org/stable/3807916 |
Causes of Neonatal Moose Calf Mortality in South Central Alaska
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