The Fortymile caribou herd: novel proposed management and relevant biology, 1992-1997
A diverse, international Fortymile Planning Team wrote a novel Fortymile caribou herd {Rangifer tarandus granti) Management Plan in 1995 (Boertje & Gardner, 1996: 56-77). The primary goal of this plan is to begin restoring the Fortymile herd to its former range; >70% of the herd's former...
| Published in: | Rangifer |
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| Main Authors: | , |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Septentrio Academic Publishing
2000
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/1622 https://doi.org/10.7557/2.20.5.1622 |
| Summary: | A diverse, international Fortymile Planning Team wrote a novel Fortymile caribou herd {Rangifer tarandus granti) Management Plan in 1995 (Boertje & Gardner, 1996: 56-77). The primary goal of this plan is to begin restoring the Fortymile herd to its former range; >70% of the herd's former range was abandoned as herd size declined. Specific objectives call for increasing the Fortymile herd by at least 5-10% annually from 1998-2002. We describe demographics of the herd, factors limiting the herd, and condition of the herd and range during 1992-1997. These data were useful in proposing management actions for the herd and should be instrumental in future evaluations of the plan's actions. The following points summarize herd biology relevant to management proposed by the Fortymile Planning Team: 1. Herd numbers remained relatively stable during 1990-1995 (about 22 000-23 000 caribou). On 21 June 1996 we counted about 900 additional caribou in the herd, probably a result of increased pregnancy rates in 1996. On 26 June 1997 we counted about 2500 additional caribou in the herd, probably a result of recruitment of the abundant 1996 calves and excellent early survival of the 1997 calves. The Team deemed that implementing management actions during a period of natural growth would be opportune. 2. Wolf (Canis lupus) and grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) predation were the most important sources of mortality, despite over a decade of the most liberal regulations in the state for harvesting of wolves and grizzly bears. Wolves were the most important predator. Wolves killed between 2000 and 3000 caribou calves annually during this study and between 1000 and 2300 older caribou; 1200-1900 calves were killed from May through September. No significant differences in annual wolf predation rates on calves or adults were observed between 1994 and early winter 1997. Reducing wolf predation was judged by the Team to be the most manageable way to help hasten or stimulate significant herd growth. To reduce wolf predation, the Team ... |
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