Abstract
Using remote tracking (GPS+GSM module) we documented long-distance natal dispersals of two yearling wolves (Canis lupus) from The Daursky State Nature Biosphere Reserve, Russia. From the arithmetic center of natal home ranges the collared male and female traveled the straight-line natal dispersal distance of 280 km and 332.8 km, over 82 days and 34 days, respectively. Minimum distances of the entire tracking period were 3090.7 km (male) and 2056.7 km (female); the estimated actual travel distance of the entire tracking period was 9849 km and 4530 km, respectively. The travel speed of the wolves varied between phases (pre-dispersal, dispersal, and post-dispersal) and movement patterns (directional, nondirectional, and cluster). The mean travel speed of both wolves was the highest during dispersing (34.6 and 39.5 km/day), calculated as a minimum distance. It was one of the highest dispersal speeds among reported. The highest hourly mean travel speed was during pre-dispersing at dawn, moving directly (the male, 5.77 ± 4.25 km/h; the female, 4.09 ± 2.44 km/h). During pre-dispersing forays they returned several times to their home territories. During dispersal, yearlings crossed at least 5 territories of other packs. Wolves explored the steppe and forest-steppe in less modified habitats of the Russian part of the Dauria ecoregion and in the human-dominated Chinese part of the ecoregion.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.