Winter severity and wolf predation on a formerly wolf-free elk herd
Journal of Wildlife Management
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Abstract
We studied wolf (Canis lupus) predation on elk (Cervus elaphus) in Yellowstone National Park from 17 March to 15 April 1997 (severe winter conditions) and from 2 to 31 March 1998 (mild winter conditions) 2-3 years after wolves were reintroduced to the park. Elk composed 91 % of 117 kills. Data comparisons for 1997 versus 1998 were: hunting success rate, 26% versus 15%; kill rate, 17.1 kg/wolf/day versus 6.1; percent of kill consumed in first day, 7 versus 86; percent femur marrow fat of adult kills, 27 versus 70; calf:adult ratios of kills, 2:33 versus 17:23; sex ratio of kills, 14M:19F versus 17M:6F; mean age of elk killed, males 6.1 years, females 15.2 versus males, 4.8, females 13.0. Winter severity influenced the wolf-elk relationship more than the naivete of the elk herd to predation by wolves.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Winter severity and wolf predation on a formerly wolf-free elk herd |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3803048 |
| Volume | 65 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2001 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wildlife Society |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 998 |
| Last page | 1003 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |