Dynamics of woodland caribou populations at the southern limit of their range in Saskatchewan

摘要: Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in central Saskatchewan are aggregated into several spatially disjunct populations. Historical data indicate that some local populations were eliminated and the regional metapopulation declined during 1970s. Proximate causes of decline may have included hunting, severe winter weather, end predator control, though ultimate relate to road construction logging activity, which expanded after 1966. There has been no sport hunting since 1987, yet region appear be declining. Based on serum progesterone levels, first conception by females occurred at 16 months overall pregnancy rate was 94%, addition minimum parturition 86%, all adequate nutrition. The annual survival adults 84%, is comparatively low, similar results from other studies woodland caribou. We observed a low calf recruitment (28 calves : 100 cows), wh...