| Abstract: | The patterns of selection by wolves (Canis lupus) preying on moose (Alces alces), caribou (Rangifer tarandus), and Dall sheep (Ovis dalli) in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska were studied from 1986 through early 1992. Wolves and their prey are legally protected or relatively unharvested in most of the area, and wolf numbers doubled during the study. Based on remains of 294 moose, 225 caribou, and 63 sheep, wolves killed calves and old adults disproportionately, and individuals with low marrow fat, jaw necrosis, or arthritis. Seasonal trends in proportions of various species, ages, and sex of kills were found. During the winters following winters of deep snowfalls, wolves greatly increased the proportion of caribou cows and calves taken. We conclude that in a natural system, wolves can survive on vulnerable prey even during moderate weather, and when snowfall exceeds average, they can respond by switching to newly vulnerable prey and greatly increasing their numbers. |
| Genre: | Book chapter |
| ProdID: | 5210738 |
| Citation Author: | Mech, L.D.; Meier, T.J.; Burch, J.W.; Adams, L.G. |
| Citation Contributing Office: | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
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| Citation Editor: | Carbyn, L.N.; Fritts, S.H.; Seip, D.R. (editors) |
| Citation End Page: | 243 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Ecology and Conservation of Wolves in a Changing World |
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| Citation Phsyical Description: | xxii, 620 |
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| Citation Public Comments: | Proceedings of the Second North American Symposium on Wolves, Edmonton, 25-27 August 1992; OCLC: 35162905. |
| Citation Publisher: | University of Alberta |
| Citation Series: | Canadian Circumpolar Institute Occasional Publication No. 35. |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Patterns of prey selection by wolves in Denali National Park, Alaska; 1995; Book chapter; Ecology and Conservation of Wolves in a Changing World; Mech, L.D.; Meier, T.J.; Burch, J.W.; Adams, L.G. |
| Citation Start Page: | 231 |
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| Citation Year: | 1995 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Patterns of prey selection by wolves in Denali National Park, Alaska; 1995; Book chapter; Ecology and Conservation of Wolves in a Changing World; Mech, L.D.; Meier, T.J.; Burch, J.W.; Adams, L.G. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Tue, 9 Jun 2009 09:23 -0500 |
| Publisher: | University of Alberta |
