Moose (Alces alces) calf survival rates in the presence of wolves (Canis lupus) in southeast Norway

Abstract

Wolves (Canis lupus) are recolonizing Scandinavia and becoming a new limiting factor that should be taken into account in the management of moose (Alces alces). However, there is a lack of empirical estimates of moose survival after wolf recolonization. We investigated the effects of wolf abundance, moose litter size (single/twin calves), and climatic factors on annual and seasonal calf survival rates in a moose population in southeast Norway. We used data that were obtained over 7 years by radio-tracking and regular visual observations of 68 moose cows to determine the presence or absence of calves at heel. Annual and winter calf survival rates were 20–40 percentage points lower in the wolf territory compared with previous estimates of moose calf survival in similar areas that lacked wolves. Cause-specific studies of mortality would further enhance our ability to determine the relative role of various limiting factors. Our study suggests that moose managers should regulate quotas to buffer the lower survival rates after wolf recolonization.