Abstract
Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the boreal forest are believed threatened by human encroachment and associated disturbances such as resource exploration and extraction. We radiocollared and monitored fifteen female woodland caribou in central Manitoba, from 1995 to 1997, to obtain information on their population range, seasonal distribution and movements in relation to forestry concerns. The population ranged over 4600 km2 within a large peatland system and concentrated their activities in two areas for both the summer and winter seasons. Females were relatively more solitary during the summer and exhibited fidelity to specific calving and summering areas averaging 83.4 km2. Individual wintering locations varied between years and among individuals. Post-rut and pre-calving mixed-sex aggregations occurred on the southern portion of the herds range. Caribou from the northern part of the range utilized a traditional travel corridor moving as far as 65 km to access the aggregation areas and their summer or winter ranges. Adult survival during the study period averaged 0.90 (95% CI, 0.80-1.00). Survival of the 1995 cohort appeared to be high as indicated by the 0.65:1 calf-cow ratio, and 30 ± 7% calf composition of observed caribou in the autumn of 1995. The annual rate of change (A,) of 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02-1.36) from January to November of 1995 indicated rhat the population was increasing at that time.
Highlights
Factors responsible for the decline of woodland caribou in North America include habitat loss and increases in hunting and predation (Bergerud, 1974)
Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the boreal forest are believed threatened by human encroachment and associated disturbances such as resource exploration and extraction
Adult survival during the study period averaged 0.90
Summary
Factors responsible for the decline of woodland caribou in North America include habitat loss and increases in hunting and predation (Bergerud, 1974). Though the full effect of forestry on woodland caribou is still unknown, studies have indicated that i n areas where logging occurs caribou are usually displaced from part or the entirety of their former range (Darby & Duquette, 1986; Cumming & Beange, 1987; Chubbs et al, 1993) Through careful management it may be possible for woodland caribou and forestry to coexist, and already there are many plans attempting to integrate caribou needs and forestry practices (Ministere des Forets et al, 1991; Cichowski & Banner, 1993; Cumming & Beange, 1993; Armleder & Stevenson, 1994). Can only be drawn up and acted upon if there first exists baseline information on general caribou ecology from the areas of concern
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