Immobilizing and Marking Wild Muskoxen in Arctic Canada

Abstract

During 1970-72, 26 wild muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus Zimmermann) were captured on Bathurst, Devon, and northern Ellesmere islands, NWT, Canada, using helicopters and Cap-Chur drugging equipment. Animals were immobilized with a mixture of 60 to 100 mg of succinylcholine chloride and varying amounts of promazine hydrochloride. Dosages were based on estimated body weight (1 mg/ 3 kg). Muskoxen were marked with paint, plastic and metal eartags, plastic streamers fastened to the horns by metal hose clamps, and numbered radio collars. Disturbance by the helicopter appeared to be a potential hazard through disruption of herd cohesiveness. Muskoxen should not be immobilized and tagged where predators are numerous or when young calves are present. J. WILDL. MANAGE. 39(1):112-117 Muskoxen inhabit remote areas of the Canadian Arctic and have received little attention since the biological and taxonomic review initiated by the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) in 1951 (Tener 1965). In recent years, muskoxen have been subjected to an increasing rate of low-level aircraft flights and year-round ground activities of oil and mineral exploration parties, posing many questions about the impact of such activities on the welfare and productivity of the species. The Government of the Northwest Territories began limited hunting of muskoxen by Inuit in certain areas of the High Arctic in 1970-73, further increasing the need for research on this once endangered animal. A study of muskox behavior was initiated by the Canadian National Museum of Natural Sciences on Bathurst Island in 1968, and continued in 1969 in cooperation with the Canadian Wildlife Service and the University of Alberta. An ecological and population study was begun on Devon Island in 1969 by CWS and the University of Manitoba, in cooperation with the International Biological Program (IBP). The development of techniques for capturing and marking muskoxen was begun in May 1970. Work was carried out near the National Museum of Natural Sciences-Polar Conti ental Shelf Project Camp in the Goodsir Inlet area, Bathurst Island, during 1970-71; near the Arctic Institute-IBP Camp at Truelove Inlet, Devon Island, 1971-72; and on northern Ellesmere Island in 1971. We thank A. Porsild and G. Vinet, our helicopter pilots, for their flying skill and assistance in the field, and I. Stirling, D. Flook, and F. L. Miller for critically reviewing this paper.