Winter predation patterns of wolves in Northwestern Wyoming

• Published in: The Journal of Wildlife Management
• Main Authors: Woodruff, Susannah P., Jimenez, Michael D.
• Other Authors: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2019
• Subjects: Alces alces; Canis lupus; Bison bison bison
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21710; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fjwmg.21710; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jwmg.21710; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jwmg.21710

ABSTRACT Wolf ( Canis lupus ) diets and potential effects on prey have been a prominent subject of interest to wildlife researchers and managers since reintroduction into Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA, in 1995 and 1996. Post‐reintroduction, wolves expanded south and recolonized areas in the southern Yellowstone ecosystem. Elk ( Cervus elaphus ) in this area are supplementally fed during winter (Dec–Mar) at state‐managed feedgrounds, resulting in high‐density congregations of elk. From December to March 2000–2007, we determined the winter predation patterns of wolves by examining the remains of 289 wolf kills on 3 state‐managed feedgrounds and adjacent winter range near Jackson, Wyoming. During winters 2002–2005, we also monitored the movements of radio‐collared elk on feedgrounds to describe the response of elk to the presence of wolf kills. Thirty‐seven percent ( n = 106) of kills were located on elk feedgrounds where elk composition included 49% calves, 42% adult females, 5% adult males, and 5% unknown. Sixty‐three percent ( n = 183) of kills were located on winter range adjacent to feedgrounds and prey species consisted of 90% elk (38% calves, 35% adult females, 24% adult males, 2% unknown), 9% moose ( Alces alces 13% calves, 69% adult females, 6% adult males, 1% unknown), 1% mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus 1 fawn, 1 adult female), and 0.5% adult female bison ( Bison bison ). Mean age of elk killed on feedgrounds was 4.2 years (range = 0–20) and 4.6 years (range = 0–23) on winter range. Calves were selected more than available in most years with female elk killed less than expected. Adult males were killed more than expected in 2005–2007. Eighty‐eight percent ( n = 198) of the time elk remained on the feedground even when wolves made a kill. Less commonly, elk left the feedground, gathered in larger herds on adjacent feedgrounds absent of wolves, and returned within a few days (6%, n = 13) or left the feedground for another feedground and did not return for the rest of the winter (6%; n = 14). ...