Calving site selection and fidelity in a restored elk (Cervus elaphus) herd in Bancroft, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Calving site selection and fidelity in a restored elk (Cervus elaphus) herd in Bancroft

Ontario, Canada.

Michael R. Allan

Parturition site selection by ungulates is believed to be influenced by forage abundance and concealment from predators. In 2011 and 2012, I used vaginal implant transmitters and movements to identify calving sites for 23 GPS collared elk (Cervus elaphus) from a restored herd. I tested the hypothesis that maternal elk used sites with higher forage and denser concealment compared to pre-calving sites at micro and macrohabitat levels. I detected no significant microhabitat differences from direct measurements of vegetation. At the macrohabitat scale, based on proximity of landcover classes, mean distances to hardwood forests was significantly less for calving (153 m) than pre-calving sites (198 m).

Site fidelity is hypothesized to offer security in terms of familiarity to an area. I tested the hypothesis that females demonstrated fidelity to their previous year's location during pre-partum, parturition, post partum, breeding and winter periods. Elk were more philopatric during parturition and post partum than during breeding. Compared to winter elk were more philopatric during pre-partum, parturition and post-partum periods. Expressed as distance between consecutive-year calving locations, site fidelity varied with 27% of females exhibiting high (<1 km), 18% moderate and 55% (>2.9 km) low fidelity.

I measured nearest-neighbour distances at calving time, exploring the hypothesis that females distance themselves from conspecifics. Elk increased the average distances

to collared conspecifics during parturition; however, sample sizes were small. This strategy might influence calving site selection.

Rapid movement prior to parturition, low site fidelity and spacing-out of females during parturition appear to be strategies to minimize predator risk and detection. Little evidence of selection for vegetation structure suggests this may not be limiting to these elk.

Author Keywords: calving, elk, fidelity, movement, parturition, selection

    Item Description
    Type
    Contributors
    Thesis advisor (ths): Davies, Chris
    Thesis advisor (ths): Schaefer, James
    Degree committee member (dgc): Rosatte, Richard C
    Degree granting institution (dgg): Trent University
    Date Issued
    2014
    Date (Unspecified)
    2014
    Place Published
    Peterborough, ON
    Language
    Extent
    79 pages
    Rights
    Copyright is held by the author, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted.
    Subject (Topical)
    Local Identifier
    TC-OPET-10095
    Publisher
    Trent University
    Degree
    Master of Science (M.Sc.): Environmental and Life Sciences