George’s Island, Labrador - A high-density predator-free refuge for a woodland caribou subpopulation?

  • Rebecca A. Jeffery Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 3014, Stn. B, Goose Bay, NL, A0P 1E0, Canada
  • Robert D. Otto Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Environment and Conservation, Wildlife Division, 117 Riverside Drive, P. O. Box 2007 Corner Brook, NL, A2H 7S1, Canada
  • Frank R. Phillips Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Resources, P.O. Box 429, Northwest River, NL, A0P 1B0, Canada
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7557/2.27.4.320
Keywords: high density, island population, Labrador, predator-free, Rangifer tarandus caribou, subpopulation, ungulate population

Abstract

The movement patterns and demographic parameters were measured for caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) on George’s Island (Labrador, Canada) to determine if the population is separate from the Mealy Mountain Caribou Herd. Movements between George’s Island caribou and nearby Mealy Mountain caribou were examined through satellite telemetry (April 2005 to April 2006). Demographic information was collected through aerial classification surveys. The predator-free island is currently maintaining a density of 22.5-26.5 caribou/km2. Female survival appears high and the recruitment rate in late fall-early spring was 19.0-29.2% calves. Mainland caribou moved very little throughout the year, travelling no more than 53.7 km on average from their initial collaring locations. Also, satellite data indicated no mixing between animals on George’s Island and the mainland. The elevated caribou density and high proportion of calves suggest that George’s Island could at times be acting as a predator-free recruitment area and that George’s Island may be a subpopulation from which animals disperse to the mainland.
Published
2007-04-01
How to Cite
JefferyR. A., OttoR. D., & PhillipsF. R. (2007). George’s Island, Labrador - A high-density predator-free refuge for a woodland caribou subpopulation?. Rangifer, 27(4), 51-56. https://doi.org/10.7557/2.27.4.320
Issue
Vol 27 (2007): Special Issue No.17
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2015 Rebecca A. Jeffery, Robert D. Otto, Frank R. Phillips

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