Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Den site selection of wolves (Canis lupus) in response to declining caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) density in the central Canadian Arctic

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Polar Biology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Wolves (Canis lupus) that den on the tundra of the central Arctic prey primarily on migratory barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus). Prey densities in the vicinity of den sites are low, however, for a period each summer when caribou migrate to their calving and post-calving ranges. Eskers provide substrate where wolves can excavate den sites, but these landforms make up only a small proportion of the tundra landscape. We investigated the factors that influenced den site selection for wolves on the summer range of the Bathurst caribou herd, Northwest Territories, Canada. We used a long-term data set (1996–2012) of wolf den locations to develop a series of resource selection function (RSF) models representative of broad land-cover types, esker density, and annual variation in seasonal prey availability. We compared a temporal sequence of RSF models to investigate whether wolves altered selection patterns in response to a 90 % decline in caribou abundance (1996–2012). Eskers were selected denning habitat; the distribution of eskers may be limiting when wolf density is high. Covariates representing the seasonal distribution of caribou from early (5–18 July) and late (19 July–22 August) summer were the best predictors of den occurrence; these areas represented reliable availability of caribou over the greatest portion of the denning period. As the caribou herd declined, the seasonal summer ranges contracted northward towards the calving ground. Wolves did not exhibit a similar response. As such, the period of spatial separation between breeding wolves at den sites and the main distribution of caribou increased when herd abundance was low. The lack of a behavioural response is consistent with wolf–prey dynamics observed in other studies that suggest wolves strive to maintain consistent territories even following large decreases in resource availability. Such behaviours reduce fitness and have implications for pup survival and population growth.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adamczewski J, Boulanger J, Croft B, Cluff HD, Elkin B, Nishi J, Kelly A, D’Hont A, Nicolson C (2009) Decline in the Bathurst Caribou Herd 2006–2009: a technical evaluation of field data and modeling. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadi M, Kaboli M, Nourani E, Shabani AA, Ashrafi S (2013) A predictive spatial model for gray wolf (Canis lupus) denning sites in a human-dominated landscape in western Iran. Ecol Res 28:513–521

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson DR, Burnham KP, Thompson WL (2000) Null hypothesis testing: problems, prevalence, and an alternative. J Wildlife Manage 64:912–992

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Apollonio M, Festa-Bianchet M, Mari F (1989) Correlates of copulatory success in a fallow deer lek. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 25:89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ballard WB, Dau JR (1983) Characteristics of gray wolf, Canis lupus, den and rendezvous sites in southcentral Alaska. Can Field Nat 97:299–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Banfield AWF (1954) Preliminary investigation of the barren ground caribou. Canada Department of Northern Affairs and National Resources, National Parks Branch, Canadian Wildlife Service

  • Bergerud AT, Jakimchuk R, Carruthers D (1984) The buffalo of the north: caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and human developments. Arctic 37:7–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boertje RD, Stephenson R (1992) Effects of ungulate availability on wolf reproductive potential in Alaska. Can J Zool 70:2441–2443

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulanger J, Poole KG, Fournier B, Wierzchowski J, Gunn A, Gaines T (2004) Assessment of Bathurst caribou movements and distribution in the Slave Geological Province. Department of Resources Wildlife, and Economic Development, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyce MS, Vernier PR, Nielsen SE, Schmiegelow FKA (2002) Evaluating resource selection functions. Ecol Model 157:281–300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ciucci P, Mech LD (1992) Selection of wolf dens in relation to winter territories in northeastern Minnesota. J Mammal 73:899–905

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark KRF (1971) Food habits and behavior of the tundra wolf on central Baffin Island. University of Toronto, Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  • Couturier S, Brunelle J, Vandal D, St-Martin G (1990) Changes in the population dynamics of the George River caribou herd, 1976–87. Arctic 43:9–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darby WR (1978) Beverly and Kaminuriak caribou monitoring and land use controls, 1979. NWT Wildlife Service, Norwich

    Google Scholar 

  • Darby WR (1979) Seasonal movements, habitat utilization, and population ecology of woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in the Wallace-Aikens Lake region of southeastern Manitoba. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Manitoba. Winnipeg, MN

  • Ecosystem Classification Group [ECG] (2012) Ecological Regions of the Northwest Territories—Southern Arctic. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Environment and Natural Resources [ENR] (2011) Caribou forever—our heritage, our responsibility. Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Fancy S, Pank L, Whitten K, Regelin W (1989) Seasonal movements of caribou in Arctic Alaska as determined by satellite. Can J Zool 67:644–650

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding AH, Bell JF (1997) A review of methods for the assessment of prediction errors in conservation presence/absence models. Environ Conserv 24:38–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frame PF, Hik DS, Cluff HD, Paquet PC (2004) Long foraging movement of a denning tundra wolf. Arctic 57:196–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Frame PF, Cluff HD, Hik DS (2008) Wolf reproduction in response to caribou migration and industrial development on the central barrens of mainland Canada. Arctic 61:134–142

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller TK (1989) Population dynamics of wolves in north-central Minnesota. Wildl Monogr 105:3–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuller TK, Mech LD, Cochrane JF (2003) Wolf population dynamics. In: Mech LD, Boitani L (eds) Wolves: behavior, ecology, and conservation. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 161–191

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn A, Dragon J, Boulanger J (2002) Seasonal movements of satellite-collared caribou from the Bathurst herd: final report to the West Kitikmeot Slave Study Society. West Kitikmeot/Slave Study Society, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunn A, Poole KG, Nishi JS (2012) A conceptual model for migratory tundra caribou to explain and predict why shifts in spatial fidelity of breeding cows to their calving grounds are infrequent. Rangifer 32:259–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunn A, D’Hont A, Williams J, Boulanger J (2013) Satellite collaring in the Bathurst herd of barren-ground caribou: 1996–2005. Environment and Natural Resouces, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Hansen IJ, Johnson CJ, Cluff HD (2013) Synchronicity of movement paths of barren-ground caribou and tundra wolves. Polar Biol 36:1363–1371

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes RD, Harestad AS (2000) Demography of a recovering wolf population in the Yukon. Can J Zool 78:36–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heard DC, Calef GW (1986) Population dynamics of the Kaminuriak caribou herd, 1968–1985. Rangifer 6:159–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heard DC, Williams TM (1992) Distribution of wolf dens on migratory caribou ranges in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Can J Zool 70:1504–1510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heard DC, Williams TM, Melton DA (1996) The relationship between food intake and predation risk in migratory caribou and implications to caribou and wolf population dynamics. Rangifer, Special Issues No. 2:37–44

  • Hosmer DW Jr, Lemeshow S (2004) Applied logistic regression. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Jarman P (1974) The social organisation of antelope in relation to their ecology. Behaviour 48:215–267

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jarman P (1983) Mating system and sexual dimorphism in large terrestrial, mammalian herbivores. Biol Rev 58:485–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jedrzejewski W, Schmidt K, Theuerkauf J, Jedrzejewska B, Okarma H (2001) Daily movements and territory use by radio-collared wolves (Canis lupus) in Bialowieza Primeval Forest in Poland. Can J Zool 79:1993–2004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson CJ, Boyce MS, Mulders R, Gunn A, Gau RJ, Cluff HD, Case RL (2004) Quantifying patch distribution at multiple spatial scales: applications to wildlife-habitat models. Landsc Ecol 19:869–882

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson CJ, Boyce MS, Case RL, Cluff HD, Gau RJ, Gunn A, Mulders R (2005) Cumulative effects of human developments on Arctic wildlife. Wildl Monogr 160:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaartinen S, Luoto M, Kojola I (2010) Selection of den sites by wolves in boreal forests in Finland. J Zool 281:99–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelsall JP (1968) The migratory barren-ground caribou of Canada. Queen’s Printer Ottawa, Ontario

    Google Scholar 

  • Klaczek MR (2015) Denning ecology of barren-ground wolves in the central Canadian Arctic. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia

  • Kuyt E (1972) Food habits and ecology of wolves on barren-ground caribou range in the Northwest Territories. Canadian Wildlife Service, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Manly B, McDonald L, Thomas D, McDonald T, Erickson W (2002) Resource selection by animals: statistical analysis and design for field studies. Kluwer, Nordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • McLoughlin PD, Walton LR, Cluff HD, Paquet PC, Ramsay MA (2004) Hierarchical habitat selection by tundra wolves. J Mammal 85:576–580

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mech LD (1966) The wolves of Isle Royale. U.S. National Park Service Fauna Series, no. 7. U.S. Govt. Printing Office

  • Mech LD (1986) Wolf population in the central Superior National Forest, 1967–1985. In: F. S. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, North Central Forest Experiment Station, editor, p 6

  • Mech LD (1994) Buffer zones of territories of gray wolves as regions of intraspecific strife. J Mammal 75:199–202

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mech LD, Boitani L (2003) Wolf Social Ecology. In: Mech LD, Boitani L (eds) Wolves: behavior, ecology, and conservation. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 1–34

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Messier F, Huot J, Le Henaff D, Luttich S (1988) Demography of the George River caribou herd: evidence of population regulation by forage exploitation and range expansion. Arctic 41:279–287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller FL, Broughton E (1974) Calf mortality on the calving ground of Kaminuriak caribou, during 1970. Information Canada, Ottawa

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller FP (1995) Tundra esker systems and denning by grizzly bears, wolves, foxes, and ground squirrels in the central Arctic. Department of Renewable Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • Musiani M, Okarma H, Jedrzejewski W (1998) Speed and actual distance travelled by radiocollared wolvesin Bialowieza Primeval Forest (Poland). Acta Theriol 43:409–416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Natural Resources Canada (2007) CanVec digital topographic dataset for the Northwest Territories. In N. R. Canada, editor. Government of Canada, Sherbrooke, Quebec

  • Norris DR, Theberge MT, Theberge JB (2002) Forest composition around wolf (Canis lupus) dens in eastern Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. Can J Zool 80:866–872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olthof I, Latifovic R, Pouliot D (2009) Development of a circa 2000 land cover map of northern Canada at 30 m resolution from Landsat. Can J Remote Sens 35:152–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paquet PC, Carbyn LN (2003) Gray wolf. In: Wild mammals of North America: biology, management, and conservation, 2nd edn. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp 482–510

  • Parker GR (1973) Distribution and densities of wolves within barren-ground caribou range in northern mainland Canada. J Mammal 54:341–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson RO (1977) Wolf ecology and prey relationships on the Isle Royale. U.S. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series, no. 11. Washington, DC

  • Peterson R, Page R (1983) Wolf-moose fluctuations at Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, USA. Acta Zool Fenn 174:251–253

  • Peterson RO, Ciucci P (2003) The Wolf as a Carnivore pp. In: Mech LD, Boitani L (eds) Wolves: behavior, ecology, and conservation. The University of Chicago Press, London, pp 104–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Rescan Environmental Services Ltd (2006) EKATI Diamond Mine EKATI Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program (WEMP) Prepared for BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc., Yellowknife, NT

  • Rettie WJ, Messier F (2000) Hierarchical habitat selection by woodland caribou: its relationship to limiting factors. Ecography 23:466–478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers WH (1993) Regression standard errors in clustered samples. Stata Tech Bull 13:19–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Simmons NM, Heard DC, Calef GW (1979) Kaminuriak caribou herd: interjurisdictional management problems. NWT Wildlife Service, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife

    Google Scholar 

  • StataCorp (2013) College Station. Texas, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Theuerkauf J, Rouys S, Jedrzejewski W (2003) Selection of den, rendezvous, and resting sites by wolves in the Bialowieza Forest, Poland. Can J Zool 81:163–167

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Timoney TP, La Roi GH, Zoltai SC, Robinson AL (1992) The high subarctic forest-tundra of northwestern Canada: position, width, and vegetation gradients in relation to climate. Arctic 45:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Trapp JR (2004) Wolf den site selection and characteristics in the northern Rocky Mountains: a multi-scale analysis. M.Sc. Thesis, Prescott College, Prescott, Arizona

  • Walton LR, Cluff HD, Paquet PC, Ramsay MA (2001) Movement patterns of barren-ground wolves in the Central Canadian Arctic. J Mammal 82:867–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams TM (1990) Summer diet and behaviour of wolves denning on barren-ground caribou range in the Northwest Territories. M.Sc. Thesis. University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB

  • Wulder MA, Dechka JA, Gillis MA, Luther JE, Hall RJ, Beaudoin A, Franklin SE (2003) Operational mapping of land cover of the forested area of Canada with Landsat data: EOSD land cover program. For Chron 79:1075–1083

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Funding for this research was provided by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Northern Scientific Training Program, Canadian Polar Commission, Dominion Diamond Ekati Corp., Diavik Diamond Mine Ltd., and the University of Northern British Columbia. Special thanks to Dave Olesen and Hoarfrost River Huskies for the many years of excellent flying and data collection. We thank Dr. Katherine Parker and Doug Heard for their helpful suggestions that improved the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Graduate Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Michael R. Klaczek

  2. Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Chris. J. Johnson

  3. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Government of the Northwest Territories, North Slave Region, Box 2668, Yellowknife, NT, X1A 2P9, Canada

    H. Dean Cluff

Authors
  1. Michael R. Klaczek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chris. J. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. Dean Cluff
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael R. Klaczek.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Klaczek, M.R., Johnson, C.J. & Cluff, H.D. Den site selection of wolves (Canis lupus) in response to declining caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) density in the central Canadian Arctic. Polar Biol 38, 2007–2019 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1759-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-015-1759-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation