Abstract
Muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) occurred on the Seward Peninsula historically but were rare or extinct at the time of European exploration. The species was reintroduced in 1970 and the population numbered at least 527 animals in 1988. Previous authors concluded that the adult bulls observed away from centers of muskox concentration were lost from the population. Twenty-four male and 15 female muskoxen were radio collared and monitored during 1981–1986 to compare the fate of these mobile animals with those remaining on traditional range and to determine the significance of distant movements to the population. Radio-collared bulls were classified as migratory or sedentary. Success in acquiring harems was compared between these classifications and according to the locations of bulls during breeding periods. Migrating bulls were as successful in acquiring harems over the course of observation as sedentary bulls. Harem bulls were 4–9 years old; older or younger bulls were not successful. Bulls were observed alone or in groups 80 times, whereas cows were observed alone only 5 times and never in groups composed exclusively of cows. Radio-collared bulls occupied remote winter habitat 50% of the winters observed, whereas cows spent only 22% of the winters in remote locations and 67% of these were in association with a radio-collared bull. The migratory strategy is seen as a means to increase a bull's prospect for breeding in years when social competition would preclude his participation in areas of high muskox density. Bulls served as the vanguard for expansion of traditional habitat.
Published Version
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