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.

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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: A Journal Devoted to the Biology and Management of Moose, 28, 235–241. Retrieved from https://www.alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/1075