Seasonal home ranges and habitat selection of three elk (Cervus elaphus) herds in North Dakota

摘要: Changes in land use have resulted range shifts of many wildlife species, including those entering novel environments, resulting the critical need to understand their spatial ecology inform ecosystem effects and management decisions. Dispersing elk (Cervus elaphus) were colonizing areas suitable habitat Northern Great Plains, USA, crop depredation complaints these areas. Although state resource managers had little information on herds, limited evidence suggested temporal movements into Canada. We collected analyzed essential home selection for 3 herds residing North Dakota. captured 5 adult female each study area, affixed global positioning system collars, monitored them 1 year (2016-2017). estimated diel period, seasonal, hunting season ranges using Brownian Bridge Movement Models individual. multinomial logit models test differences classes, departures from proportionate based random sampling; our predictor variables included individual elk, season. Home differed between seasons, period; gun winter both larger than summer, as was night when compared with day. Female generally restricted themselves cover during day entered open at months. Our results also suggest that tended seek more cover, case Turtle Mountain some cross Canada provides a better understanding Plains while highlighting enhanced international cooperative efforts.