Abstract
Grey wolf Canis lupus is often the main predator of moose Alces alces. Therefore it can be expected that moose are able to recognize the presence of wolves and react to them to avoid predation. We examined the effect of predation risk by wolves on movement patterns by moose in eastern Finland where moose and wolves have co‐existed for centuries. The level of wolf predation risk experienced by 20 radio‐collared adult moose was classified according to the proportion of their fixes in wolf territories. Our results suggest that moose adjust their movement speed according to the degree they are exposed to the presence of wolves. The adjustment occurred in summer but not in winter. In summer the moose more exposed to wolves moved faster than the moose less exposed to wolves. Season and the structure of the surrounding forests also affected moose movement patterns. Both movement speed and the linearity of movement decreased in winter and with increasing canopy cover. We suggest that by increased moving when exposed to higher risk of predation moose try to keep distance to the predator and/or try to keep themselves spatially and temporally unpredictable to their predator. Our results differ from those obtained in Scandinavia where no response of moose movement to predation risk by wolves has been detected. It might be that wolves' continuous presence in eastern Finland compared to Scandinavia provide a reason why moose in our study area reacted to the presence of wolves.
Highlights
BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research
Our results suggest that moose adjust their movement speed according to the degree they are exposed to the presence of wolves
The measures of moose movement we used were those used by Wikenros et al (2016); 1) travel speed (TS) measuring the distance moved by moose between two consecutive fixes as well as 2) the degree of linearity versus meandering of moose movement (LM)
Summary
BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. We examined the effect of predation risk by wolves on movement patterns by moose in eastern Finland where moose and wolves have co-existed for centuries. Season and the structure of the surrounding forests affected moose movement patterns Both movement speed and the linearity of movement decreased in winter and with increasing canopy cover. Prey animals often respond to the presence of their predators or cues indicating their presence such that the risk to become killed will be decreased. These responses include e.g. seeking for safer habitats, increased vigilance and increased or decreased mobility (Lima and Dill 1990, Laundre et al 2001, Pusenius and Ostfeld 2002, Latombe et al 2014). The license permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
