INFLUENCE OF PREDATORS ON SUMMER MOVEMENTS OF MOOSE IN SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA

• Main Authors: Ballard, Warren B., Gardner, Craig L., Miller, Sterling D.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 1980
• Subjects: Alces alces; Ursus arctos; Alaska
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1661

During late spring and early summer from 1977 through 1979, 168 moose (Alces alces gigas) calves were radio-collared for mortality studies in the Nelchina and upper Susitna River basins. These studies provided an opportunity to monitor cow-calf movements during summer and to evaluate some factors influencing these movements. Moose movements during summer in areas of different brown bear (Ursus arctos) densities were compared. Moose calf movements were correlated with age and brown bear densities. Cow-calf home ranges and linear movements during the 6 weeks following parturition were greater in areas of high bear densities and decreased following removal of bears from one area. Larger cow-calf home ranges resulted, at least partially, from attempts by moose to avoid predators. We believe that once calves attain an age of 6-8 weeks, their ability to evade bears is considerably greater than before.