Habitat Use and Movements of Two Ecotypes of Translocated Caribou in Idaho and British Columbia

Abstract

Two woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) ecotypes, mountain and northern, were translocated to the southern Selkirk Mountains in northern Idaho (U.S.A.) to augment a remnant subpopulation. The translocation resulted in an additional subpopulation that used the general area of the release site. The mountain ecotype stock exhibited patterns of movement and habitat use similar to those of the resident subpopulation. The northern ecotype stock exhibited more variable habitat use, especially in the first year after translocation. Dispersal of the northern stock was not as extensive as that of the mountain stock. Fourteen of 22 caribou from the northern stock and 6 of 18 caribou from the mountain stock died during the 3‐year period after the release. Our results suggest that when donor subpopulations must be used that do not closely compare with resident subpopulations extinct or extant, larger numbers of individuals may be needed to establish a self‐sustaining population.