The need for the management of wolves — an open letter

The Southern Mountain and Boreal Woodland Caribou are facing extinction from increased predation, predominantly wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). These predators are increasing as moose (Alces alces) and deer (Odocoileus spp). expand their range north with climate change. Mitigation...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rangifer
Main Author: Arthur T. Bergerud
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Septentrio Academic Publishing 2007
Subjects:
adaptive management
balance of nature
critical habitat
caribou extinction
density dependent
population regulation
Animal culture
SF1-1100
Alces alces
Canis lupus
caribou
Rangifer
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.7557/2.27.4.319
https://doaj.org/article/4df4da0859bd42fa952578c5d129e561
Description
Summary:The Southern Mountain and Boreal Woodland Caribou are facing extinction from increased predation, predominantly wolves (Canis lupus) and coyotes (Canis latrans). These predators are increasing as moose (Alces alces) and deer (Odocoileus spp). expand their range north with climate change. Mitigation endeavors will not be sufficient; there are too many predators. The critical habitat for caribou is the low predation risk habitat they select at calving: It is not old growth forests and climax lichens. The southern boundary of caribou in North America is not based on the presence of lichens but on reduced mammalian diversity. Caribou are just as adaptable as other cervids in their use of broadleaf seed plant as forage. Without predator management these woodland caribou will go extinct in our life time.

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