Dispersal Patterns of Lynx in the Northwest Territories

摘要: Knowledge of dispersal patterns in lynx (Lynx lynx) is fragmentary but warrants investigation because its importance to population and harvest dynamics. From 1989 1995 I examined 60 radiocollared 31 eartagged from an untrapped southwestern Northwest Territories at peak low densities snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus). Thirty-seven collared 6 tagged were identified as dispersers. Dispersal rates greatest the 12-month period after rapid decline hare density. Annual did not differ between sexes (P > 0.20). direction was different uniform for female 0.5), favored south west males 0.22). Survival dispersers non-dispersers any intervals cycle 0.40), lowest during first full year Natural causes accounted nearly 3 times many deaths human-caused. Eight established new home ranges end dispersal. The extent degree natural mortality density suggest that although mobility vulnerability populations are both high, some restricted harvesting could be implemented this period.