The ecology of gray wolf (Canis lupus) habitat use, survival, and persistence in the Central Rocky Mountains, Canada

• Main Author: Callaghan, Carolyn
• Other Authors: Lavigne, D.M., Nudds, T.D.
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: University of Guelph 2002
• Subjects: Gray Wolf; Ecology; Central Rocky Mountains; Canada; Viability; Canis lupus; gray wolf
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/20188

I examined the combined effects of topography and anthropogenic activity on habitat use, survival, and population viability of gray wolves (' Canis lupus') in the Central Rockies between 1987 and 2001. Although large protected areas exist in the region, the territories of few wolf packs occur wholly within them. Most wolves in the population are exposed to mortality risks from hunting, trapping, or automobile collisions. Moreover, their low population density raises concerns about anthropogenic effects on population persistence. I built multivariate habitat use models using winter snow tracking data from four wolf packs, digital data on habitat characteristics, and multiple regression analyses. Data were pooled to produce a regional habitat use model and compare habitat use at different scales. Elevation was a strong predictor of wolf habitat use. Predictor variables differed between regional and pack models, indicating that the models were sensitive to scale. I investigated survival rates and causes of mortality for 31 radiocollared wolves from 12 packs. Poisson regression was used to assess the effects of eight independent variables. Human-caused deaths constituted 75% of total mortalities and most (67%) of human-caused mortalities occurred outside of protected reserves. Wolves survived longer in territories protected by reserves than in territories spanning reserves and non-protected areas. Hunting activities were negatively associated with wolf survival. I used snow-tracking data from four wolf packs over 6 winters and General Linear Models to investigate response of wolves to linear features including roads, rivers, and compacted trails. The proportion of successful crossings did not differ among type of linear feature, but differed among road type. Wolf deaths per km differed among road types. A population viability model was used to investigate interaction of wolf social dynamics and population parameters. Simulations indicated low probability of extinction under current conditions. Population carrying ...