Abstract
Although historic literature is replete with anecdotes about atypical and far-reaching movements of caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) herds in Alaska, very few such events have been described since the late 1970s proliferation of radiotelemetry studies in the region. In September 1992, several herds in Alaska made unusual movements away from their typical year-round ranges as a result of highly unusual weather conditions that affected a broad swath of the state. We describe the movements of 113 radiocollared caribou from the Denali caribou herd during this phenomenon and the subsequent year. The majority of caribou in the Denali Herd left their typical range during 26—28 September 1992, traveling distances up to 221 km and remained out of the area through much of the winter. While the outmigration was highly consolidated and easily noticed, the return was protracted with caribou drifting back to their typical range from October 1992 to early September 1993. All radiocollared caribou that survived the 1992—93 winter ultimately returned to their typical year-round range.
Highlights
Caribou are well-known for their long-distance migrations and understanding of seasonal distribu¬ tion and movements of populations is commonly sought by caribou managers and researchers (Kelsall, 1968; Skoog, 1968; Valkenburg, 2001)
While most caribou populations exhibit relatively predictable seasonal movement patterns, occasionally movements do not fit within those norms and are a fascinat¬ ing aspect of caribou behavior
Prior to the advent of radiotelemetry, there was conjecture about the regular seasonal movements of caribou populations and substantial focus on their sporadic, atypical movements, primarily because such unusual and unexpected movements were reported widely and well-remembered (Valkenburg, 2001). In his semi¬ nal treatise, Skoog (1968) provided an exhaustive summary of the historical record of caribou move¬ ments and distribution in Alaska over the preceding century, and concluded that emigration appears to Rangifer, Special Issue No 16: 19-25 be the principal means for limiting numbers within any one subpopulation
Summary
Caribou are well-known for their long-distance migrations and understanding of seasonal distribu¬ tion and movements of populations is commonly sought by caribou managers and researchers (Kelsall, 1968; Skoog, 1968; Valkenburg, 2001). In September 1992, a highly unusual snowstorm and unseasonal cold temperatures in much of Alaska set in motion a mass exodus of caribou from the Denali Herd out of their normal year-round range. We describe the movements of 113 radiocollared caribou from the Denali Herd during this weather event, the subsequent winter, and their return to the typical year-round range of the herd.
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