IMPORTANCE OF SCAVENGING ON MOOSE BY WOLVES IN ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO

Authors

  • Graham J. Forbes
  • John B. Theberge

Abstract

This paper addresses the importance of winter scavenging on moose (Alces alces) by gray wolves (Canis lupus) in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario. A high incidence (83%, n=30) of scavenging on moose was recorded in mid to late winter in 1987-1992. Moose fed on by radio-collared wolf packs and winter wolf food habits (n=892 scats) are related to sources of non-predatory mortality in the Park, namely winter tick (Dermacentor albipictus), train kills, and human hunting. Food habits of wolves imply that seasonal scavenging on tick-related moose carcasses is important to this wolf population during periods of tick infestation.

The role of scavenging is discussed in the context of a relatively small-sized predator (the Algonquin type of Canis lupus lycaon) limited to a large-sized prey species, the moose. Incidences of wolf scavenging in other studies are also presented.

Downloads

Published

1992-01-01

How to Cite

Forbes, G. J., & Theberge, J. B. (1992). IMPORTANCE OF SCAVENGING ON MOOSE BY WOLVES IN ALGONQUIN PARK, ONTARIO. Alces, 28, 235–241. Retrieved from https://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1075

Issue

Vol. 28 (1992): Alces Vol. 28 (1992)

Section

Articles

License

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.