HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA914Robert E.LeResche
MOOSE REPORT
G02006
ALASKA:RI!sCE~
LmRAttY &lNroRMATION SBtVlCES
31SOC STREET,SUITE 100
ANcHoRAQiB ..ALAsKA 99503
by
DIVISION OF GAME
James A.Harper,Director
STATE OF ALASKA
Keith H.Miller,Governor
(Printed October,1970)
RON SOMERV Il LE
GAME DIVISION
ADF&G ANCHORAGE AK
DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME
Wallace H.Noerenberg,Commissioner
Volume XI
Annual Project Segment Report
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Project W-17-2,Jobs 1.lR,1.2R,1.3R
Persons are free to use material in these reports for educational or
informational purposes.However,since most reports treat only part of
continuing studies,persons intending to use this material in scientific
publications should obtain prior permission from the Department of Fish
and Game.In all cases tentative conclusions should be identified as such
in quotation,and due credit would be appreciated.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following Alaska Department of Fish and Game and United States Fish
and Wildlife Service personnel participated in scientific activities relevant
to this report:D.Bromley,W.Cheney,H.Clark,D.Cornelius,J.Davis,
C.P.Erskine,J.Hakala,C.Jackson,A.Johnson,P.LeRoux,G.Milke,R.Perkins,
K.Pitcher,J.Sexton,N.Steen,R.Wolfe.
R.A.Rausch was instrumental in implementing all work reported here.
R.K.Seemel was responsible for all vegetation analysis work reported.
R.A.Richey contributed most sightings of collared moose.
V.Berns supplied initial radio gear and instructed us in its use.
S.Harbo consulted on design and analysis of replicate aerial count
experiments.
Sincere thanks is given all the above.
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TABLES
Table 1.Chronology of establishing the Kenai Moose Research Center.
Table 2.Sources of moose blood for analysis:June 1969-June 1970.
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center
enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970.
Table 4.Moose natality,mortality and recruitment in four one-square
mile enclosures.
Table 5.June calf crops and yearling recruitment in Moose Research
Center enclosures.
Table 6.Mortalities within pens June 1968-June1970.
Table 7.Femur-marrow and weight data.
Table 8.Mean serological values of moose June 1969 through May 1970.
Table 9.Age-related differences in serological values for moose.
Table 10.
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Table 12.
Table 13.
Pregnancy-related differences in mean serological values for moose.
Mean hematological values of moose June 1969 through May 1970.
Age-related differences in hematological values for moose.
Pregnancy-related differences in hematological values for moose.
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Table 14.Summary of significant changes in moose blood values with sex,
age,and pregnancy.
Table 15.Summary of significant changes in moose blood constituents with season.
Table 16.Numbers of birch twigs browsed in 8 x 24 sample plots measured in
April 1969.
Table 17.Numbers of birch twigs browsed in 8 x 24 l;;alllple plots measured in
April 1970.
Table 18.Summary of numbers of birch twigs browsed in 8 x 24 sample plots.
Kenai Moose Research Center.
Table 19.Weights of twigs clipped in April 1970 for estimated pounds of
browse utilized from twig count data.
Table 20.Browse utilization in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures.1968-69
and 1969-70 winters.
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Table 21.Adult moose marked on Kenai Peninsula,October 1968 through
June 1970.
Table 22.Reconnaissance flights by ADF&G searching for collared moose.
Table 23.Number of sightings of adult moose tagged on the Kenai Peninsula.
Sightings through 30 June 1970.
Table 24.General areas of 83 sightings of moose tagged in Mystery Creek
highlands,by month,October 1968-June 1970.
Table 25.Numbers and proportions of moose seen in four one-square-mi1e
enclosures by nine experienced and twelve inexperienced observers
flying fifteen minutes/square mile in PA-18-1S0 aircraft.
January-February 1970.
Table 2SA.Summary of mean proportions of moose observed in four one-square
mile enclosures by observer,weather conditions and aircraft.
January-February 1970.
Table 26.Pellet groups removed from 728 - 8 x 24 plots randomly selected
by habitat type.Kenai Moose Research Center.April,1970.
Table 27.Habitat-use indices for seven habitat types,derived from pellet-count
data.Kenai Moose Research Center,April 1970.
Table 28.Trap effectiveness -Kenai Moose Research Center -June 1969-May 1970.
Table 29.Moose seen within four one-square-mile enclosures by 8 observers
during 312 hours present within the enclosures.Kenai Moose Research
Center:April 1970.
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Figure 1.
FIGURES
Diagramatic layout of Kenai Moose Research Center.
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Figure 2.Comparison of calf and yearling crops within moose
exc10sures and in outside population (Unit 15A).
Figure 3.Calcium:mg%
Figure 4.Inorganic Phosphorus:mg
Figure 5.Blood glucose:mg%
Figure 6.BUN:mg%
Figure 7.Uric acid:mg%
Figure 8:Cholesterol:mg%
Figure 9.Total protein:gm%
Figure 10.Bilirubin:mg%
Figure 11.Alkaline phosphatase:Mu/m1
Figure 12.LDH:mU/m1
Figure 13.SGOT:mU/m1
Figure 14.Hemoglobin:gm%
Figure 15.White blood cells/cc
Figure 16.Hematocrit:vol %
Figure 17.Segmenters
Figure 18.Monocytes
Figure 19.Diagramatic layout of moose tagging areas.
Figure 20.Percentages of observed Mystery Creek tagged moose in Mystery
Creek highlands,along highway East of Mystery Creek and on Moose
River Flats.
Figure 21.Moose River Flats -Bottenintnin Lake
Figure 22.Directional tendencies of 476 observations of moose along Moose
Research Center enclosure fences.June 1969-1970.
Figure 23.Gate Trigger mechanism.
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State:
Cooperators:
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
Alaska
Alaska Department of Fish and Game,U.S.Bureau
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife,Kenai NWR
Project No.:
Job No.:
W-17-2
1.1R
Project Title:
Job Title:
Moose Investigations
Moose Productivity &
Physiology
Period Covered:July 1,1969 through June 30,1970
SUMMARY
Natality,mortality and yearling recruitment within four one-square
mile enclosures followed trends of nearby unenclosed populations for three
seasons.On July 1,1970,58 moose were present within the enclosures.
Two hundred sixty-four sera,one hundred thirty whole blood specimens
and one hundred seventy blood smears were analyzed for sixteen parameters
reported here.Significant differences were noted in relation to age,season,
reproductive status and sex of moose for certain of these parameters.
Several parameters (eg:Ca,P,BUN,uric acid,cholesterol,albumin,SGOT)
emerge as probably useful in determining nutritional status of moose.
Analysis of browse utilization data from 1968-69 and 1969-70 estimates
winter consumption by moose at 11.4 +26.0 S.D.(1968-69)and 4.02 +9.20 S.D.
(1969-70)pounds per moose per day w~t weight.The present method ~f
estimation is too insensitive for practical use.
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CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
Summary
Background
Objectives
Procedures
Moose Research Facility
Other Procedures
Findings
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1
3
4
5
6
Productivity and Mortality Within Pens 9
Serological and Hematological Values for Moose 24
Browse Utilization 54
o Recommendations
Literature Cited
BACKGROUND
61
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Management of moose (A1ces a1ces)in Alaska has always relied on gross
knowledge:1)of population indices (eg:relative numbers~sex ratios,age
composition,apparent natality)gained through observation (usually by air)
of large numbers of animals,2)of hunter harvest learned from reporting
procedures,3)of unusual mortalities ("die-offs")when noticed and,4)of
occasional crude and subjective observations of browse conditions.TIle ~LaLe'~
expanding human population makes these methods~by themselves,obsolescent
for various biological and political reasons.
For example,on the Kenai Peninsu1a~an extensive (more than 350,000
acres)burn occurred in 1947,with a subsequent striking increase in
the numbers of moose present.By the late 1950's,numbers seemed to have
stabilized;yet the predominately birch sera1 type was noticab1y browsed
in very few areas,and hedged in even fewer places.Moose production had
fallen behind browse production.No "die-off"had been recorded~browse
was not (to the superficial observer)over-used,hunter harvest was low
in relation to the moose population size,and most (more than 90%)cow
1
moose were pregnant in fall and early winter.Less-than-obvious factors were
at work.More sophisticated knowledge of and means of quantifying moose
physiological and vegetation parameters were needed.
Situations requiring such knowledge are not localized on the Kenai
Peninsula.The information is needed for solving present and future problems
wherever moose occur in the state.The Tanana River flats near Fairbanks
support a moose population similar in density to that in the Kenai 1947
burn.In spring 1965,gross signs of loss of condition were observed,few
viable calves were produced,and collections revealed severly undernourished,
calves.Classical symptoms of severly browsed shrubs and high moose densities
were present,but more specific analysis was impossible given the then-and-
present state of knowledge.At about the same time (1962 through 1965)moose
numbers apparently declined markedly in the Nelchina Basin:no explanation
but severe winters was possible.Matanuska Valley populations,the only ones
in the state even possibly manipulated by hunting,fluctuate in ways that
could be better understood and predicted by more specific knowledge of
moose-habitat interrelationships than is currently available.
The overall project objective of jobs carried out at the Kenai Moose
Research Center is to obtain a more thorough and specific knowledge of how
moose affect vegetation and how vegetation affects moose.
Research dealing with the above objective has been slight.Most work
has involved a population approach to learning productivity,mortality and
recruitment,often by aerial counts (eg:Denniston 1956,Pimlott 1959,
Spencer and Hakala 1964,Knowlton 1960,Rausch and Brattlie 1965,Simpkin 1965,
Rausch and Bishop 1968,Bishop 1969).Fewer studies have used physiological or
behavioral approaches to learning productivity (eg:Rausch 1959,LeResche 1968,
Houston 1968,Markgren 1969).No productivity records for individual moose
over more than one season appear in North American literature,although Soviet
domestication work at Pechora-Ilych Reservation (Knorre 1961)has undoubtedly
gathered such information.
Bone-marrow studies have been done with different degrees of sophistication
and success for years (cf:Cheatum 1949,Bishoff 1954,Greer 1969 and
Neiland 1970).Our present studies are but an adjunct to original work by
Neiland and Pitcher and presented by Neiland (1970).
Blood studies of moose have been few and superficial and only sometimes
related to nutrition.Braend (1962)considered blood groups in moose,Nadler
(1966)studied serum proteins and transferrins,and Houston (1969)analyzed
several serum parameters from 13 moose.More thorough nutrition-related
studies have been carried out on other Cervidae.Herin (1968)reported 14
blood parameters for 39 elk (Cervus canadensis).Kitts et al (1956)related
age and nutrition to hematological values in black-taile~deer (Odocoileus
hemionus £.).More recently,Seal and Erickson (cf:1969)have begun quite
sophisticated blood studies of several large mammals.
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Estimation of food production and utilization by moose has been
attempted several times,but never with known numbers of moose (cf:McMillan
1950,Bassett 1951,Harry 1957,Knowlton 1960).Bishop (1969)reported on
the initial stages of the MRC work in this area.
Isolated samples of moose milk have been analyzed by Cook et a1 (1970)
and Glass et a1 (1967).No serial analyses are reported,a1though~norre
(1961)reported milk yield over several months for a domesticated moose.
Oestrus periods have been studied only indirectly through collections
of reproductive tracts and measurments of fetuses (cf:Rausch 1959).
Nutritional analysis of browse species and nutritional studies of
Cervidae have reached some degree of sophistication.Cowan et a1 (1950)
related nutritional values of browse to plant succession in British Columbia.
Verme (1962,1963)studied nutrition-related growth and mortality in
white-tailed deer (Odocoi1eus virginanus)fawns,and Murphy and Coates
(1966)reported "effects of dietary protein on deer".
OBJECTIVES
To measure natality,mortality and general condition of moose
within four one-square mile enclosures.
To establish baselines by season,age and sex for the following
serological and hematological parameters in moose:
A.calcium
B.inorganic phosphorus
C.glucose
D.urea nitrogen (BUN)
E.uric acid
F.cholesterol
G.total protein
H.albumin
I.albumin/globulin ratio
J.a1pha-1,a1pha-2,beta and gamma-globulins
K.bilirubin
L.alkaline phosphatase
M.lactic dehydrogenase (LDH)
N.glutamic oxa1acetic transaminase (SGOT)
O.hemoglobin
P.hematocrit
Q.white blood cells
R.differential cell count (including segmenters,lymphocytes,
eosinophi1s,monocytes,basophi1s)
To estimate browse production and utilization and quantitatively and
qualitatively estimate consumption of all plant material by moose.
To continue other objectives that were either minor (subordinated to
the above)or inactive during the current reporting period.These include:
3
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B.
C.
Serial analysis of milk from the same individual animal.
Determination of oestrus onset and the number of oestrus periods
during the breeding season.
Nutritional analysis of browse species.
PROCEDURES
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General Description of the Moose Research Center Facility
The Kenai Moose Research Center comprises four one-square-mi1e
enclosures located in the area of the 1947 burn near Kenai,Alaska.
The enclosures contain representative vegetation of both burned
(regenerative:predominately birch Betula papyrifera and white spruce,
Picea glauca)and remnant (mixed birch-spruce-aspen,Populus tremu10ides)
stands.Marshland typical of Summer range is included as are well-drained
hillocks supporting winter browse-species.
The entire area has been type-mapped into eleven vegetation types,
and soil profiles of representative types have been completed.One hundred
forty permanent plant-succession measuring plots have been installed
subjectively (five in each pen for each of seven major vegetation types),
and each has been read once.A modified Daubenmire (1959)canopy estimate is
employed.Eight hundred forty permanent browse production/utilization plots
have been established randomly within habitat types and these have been
used to measure production (once within two of the four pens)and use
(three times in two pens,once in two other pens).Twig-count and clipping
methods are employed.Five five-acre exclosures are present,at least
one within each enclosure.
Eleven fenceline traps were constructed during the reporting period,
as was a IO-acre holding pen for tame/experimental animals.Fig.I is a
generalized map of the facility showing traps,exclosures,etc.
The log headquarters building sleeps eight,and is accessible by road
during dry seasons.Two-mile-Iong Coyote Lake provides access by float
or ski plane.The Center may be reached by light plane from Anchorage in
one-half hour.
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Figure 1:Diagramatic layout of Kenai Moose Research Center.
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Populations of moose within the enclosures as of February 1,1970,
five months after enclosing pens 3 and 4,were:
Pen Cows Calves Bulls Total
1 5 0 2 7
2 9 1 2 12
3 7 4 1 12
4 11 5 2 18
32 10 7 49
It is planned to leave pens 1 and 2 unmolested in terms of moose
numbers,allowing the populations to increase,decrease,or remain constant
as they will.Pen 3 will be retained at its present population level and
sex structure,as representative of extra-pen populations in this area.
Pen 4 will be stocked with as many as 50 moose (four to five times "normal"
density).
Table 1 is a history of major events in construction of the
facility and provides reference as to timing of events leading to the
current description.
Mortality and natality within pens is measured by daily ground
observations,periodic aerial observations,trapping and use of radio-tracking
devices.General condition is estimated in trapped animals by methods
described below.
Blood values are determined from serum and whole-blood samples obtained
from trapped and hunter-killed moose and animals immobilized for marking
outside of traps (Job 3).Table 2 lists sources of blood material.
Blood is obtained from live immobilized animals in sterile evacuated
containers by jugular venepuncture.Four or five cc of whole blood is
preserved with EDTH and a thin smear is made;serum is secured by centrifugation
of cooled and clotted blood.Serum is separated into a 1)a NaF tube (1.5-2 cc)
for glucose determination and 2)a 4-5 cc untreated sample for other parameters.
Analyses are performed by Alaska Medical Laboratories (Anchorage)using
a "Technicon Autoanalyzer SMA-12",standard hematological techniques and
electrophoresis.
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Bone marrow is analyzed by K.Pitcher using methods described by Neiland
(1970).Marrow analysis to date is done only when an entire femur is collected
from a dead moose.Weights of moose within pens are obtained using a boom
truck or tripod.
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Table 1.Chronology of establishing the Kenai Moose Research Center.
June 1966:Construction begun.
September-October 1967:Browse production estimated in Pens 1 &2.Successional
plots established and read in Pens 1 &2.
January 1967:
January 1968:
April 1968:
1968:
April 1969:
Pens 1 &2 enclosed.
Moose in Pens 1 &2 collared.
Browse utilization estimated in Pens 1 &2.
Yearling bull introduced into Pen 1.
Browse utilization estimated in Pens 1 &2.
June 1969-January 1970:Eleven traps constructed in all pens.Blood collections
begun.
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June-July 1969:
August 1969:
January-February 1970:
April 1970:
Successional plots established and read in Pens 3 &4.
Pens 3 &4 enclosed.
Numbers of moose in Pens 3 &4 established.Replicate
count experiments conducted.
Browse utilization estimated in all 4 pens.
7
Table 2.Sources of moose blood for analysis:June 1969-June 1970.
NUMBER OF SPECIMENS
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Trapping at Moose Research Center:
Source
Pen 1
Pen 2
Pen 3
Pen 4
Outside pens
Total Moose Research Center
Hunts:
GMU .15C
15B
14A
14B
Total hunts
Tagging:
Bottenintnin Lake
Moose River Flats
Total tagging
Totals
Serum
7
21
8
17
14
67
32
13
39
14
98
38
61
99
264
8
Whole Blood
5
10
7
12
9
43
26
6
26
6
64
23
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130
Slides
5
10
7
12
9
43
49
21
42
9
121
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Browse production and utilization and succession are estimated using
methods previously described in detail (Bishop 1969).A canopy-cover
method after Daubenmire (1959),employing exclosures,is used for successional
measurements and a twig-count method with clipping is used for production and
utilization estimates.During this reporting period successional plots were
established and read in Pens 3 and 4,and use was estimated in all old plots
in Pens 1 and 2 and newly established plots in Pens 3 and 4.
Milk was analyzed by Dr.B.E.Baker at McGill University,using
reported (Cook et al 1970)methods.
FINDINGS
Productivity and mortality within pens:Table 3 presents raw tagging,
breeding,and mortality data for all moose within the enclosures.Table 4
summarizes the data in terms .of numbers calving and dying.Table 5 calculates
natality,yearling recruitment and change in population size for penned
and unpenned populations.Fig.2 compares trends of natality and recruit-
ment inside and outside the pens.
Excluding Pen 1 during the period (1968-69)when it had no breeding
bull,calves present in the pens in June averaged 51 per 100 cows of breeding
age (3 years or older at birth of calf).The best data for the general l5A
population,from USFWS files of aerial counts flown by R.Richey,show a June
average of about 44 per 100 adult cows (ca:1045 of ca:2358,estimated).
The penned andunpenned calf productions are statistically equivalent.Further,
Fig.2 illustrates that yearly trends for 1968,'69 and '70 parallel one-
another within and without the enclosures.
Yearling recruitment presents a very similar picture.Mean spring
recruitment was 17 yearlings:100 adult females (ca:417 of ca:2454)outside
and 18-21%(14-16 of 77)inside the pens.Statistically the values are
equivalent.That yearly values parallel each other in the enclosed and wild
populations is evident from Fig.2.
At this early stage of the MRC project,then,population responses within
the pens at least approximate those outside.Although we cannot ignore
that our experimental animals do differ from wild populations by being confined
within one-square-mile areas,present data suggest that there is little effect
on productivity due to fenced conditions.
Considering adult mortality within the pens,Tables 4 and 5 show an
overall net loss of only 2%within the pens over the 2 years.Thirteen
percent were added to a base of 15 adults from June 1968 to June 1969;whereas;
10%were lost from 35 adults the following year.These calculations do not
include animals added or removed experimentally.
From June 1968 through June 1970,nine adults and seven calves died of
apparently natural causes within the pens.In addition,one adult female
died of calving complications shortly after being introduced into the pens.
9
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
PEN 1
Moosell Sex Event Date Age Circumstances
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3
4
5
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F
F
F
F
Tagged
Pregnant
Wi th 2 calves
With 1 calf
Escaped into pen 2
with 1 calf
Tagged
With 1 calf
Escaped into pen 2
with 1 calf
Tagged
Pregnant
With 1 calf
With no calf
With no calf
Radio installed
Radio removed
In oestrus
With 1 calf
Lactating,last seen
Tagged
With no calf,does
not appear pregnant
Dead,not pregnant
Tagged
Last seen
January 1968
January 1968
7 June 1968
17 June 1968
4 September 1968
January 1968
4 June 1968
January 1968
January 1968
17 June 1968
11,14 October 1968
2,11,12,14 June 1969
14 June 1969.
20 August 1969
15 October 1969
2 July 1970
28 July 1970
January 1968
5 June 1968
18 May 1969
18 January 1968
18 January 1968
4+years
5 years
4+years
5 years
5+years
6 years
7 years
8 years
15+years
16 years
17 years
Helicopter;not with calf
Palpation
Helicopter;not with calf.
Observed
Helicopter;not with calf
Palpation
Observed
Observed
Observed and trapped
Trapped
Trapped
Trapped
Observed
Trapped
Helicopter;not wi th calf
Observed
Apparent cause:old age
Helicopter;not with calf
Tagging
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Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
PEN 1
Moose/l Sex Event Date Age Circumstances
6 F Tagged January 1968 10+years Helicopter;not with calf
With calf 22 October 1968 11+years Observed
With no calf 2,4,11,12 June 1969 12 years Observed,trapped,
Weigh t 910 1bs.12 August 1970 Trapped
With one calf Trapped
Calf tagged 23 July 1970 13 years Trapped,weight 820 1bs.
No calf observed 27 July 1970 Observed
8 F Tagged 24 January 1968 Calf Helicopter
Dead 2 February 1968 Killed during tagging
I-'10 F Tagged January 1968 Calf HelicopterI-'
With no calf 19 June 1969 2 years Observed
With one calf 27 July 1970 3+years Observed
R70-8 F Tagged,radio
installed 10 July 1970 2 years Trapped
Last seen 20 July 1970 2+years Observed
Un-
collared F 5 Observations 21 May 1969 through
30 June 1970 Observed
Wi th one calf 27,28 July 1970 Observed
43 M Tagged &put into pen 1 7 June 1968 1+years Helicopter immobilization
Apparently did not 1+yr No calves in pen 1
successfully breed May-June 1969
Bred successfully 2+yr Calves in Pen 1,May-June 1970
Last seen June 1970 ;3+years Observed
35 M Tagged 28 May 1970 2 years Trapped
Weight 605 1bs.17 July 1970 2+years Trapped
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event Date
PEN 2
Age Circumstances
1 F Escaped into pen 2
with one calf 4 September 1968 5+years
With no calf 10 Oc tober 1968 Observed
With no calf 15 July 1969 6+years Observed
Weighed 675 1bs.5 September 1969 Trapped
With no calf 10 June 1970 7+years Trapped
Last seen 22 June 1970 Observed
2 F Escaped into pen 2
with one calf 4 Septem.ber 1968 5+years
With one calf 22 October 1968 Observed
I-'Calf not seen 21 April 1969 ObservedN
With no calf 30 May,7 July 1969 5 years Trapped
Radio installed 13 August 1969 Trapped
Not pregnant 28 May 1970 6 years Trapped
No calf
Last seen 29 June 1970 .Observed
7 F Tagged January 1968 4+years Helicopter;not with calf
With no calf 18 June 1968 5 years Observed
With one calf 9 July 1969 6 years Observed
With 1 calf;weight
710 lbs.29 July 1969 Trapped
In oestrus,with 1 calf 23 September 1969 6+years Trapped
With no calf 26,27 February 1970 Helicopter;observed
Not pregnant,with
no calf 4 June 1970 7 years Trapped
Radio installed 4 June 1970 Trapped
Last seen 29 June 1970 Observed
~
(\
\
r--"r=J ~..-.---,
c",j r---J fIT.:..J1 CTI CJ
(J
r--t-,rF-:......o],~J t~r-IL.iLLl J,.~,_.."..1 C._"ij~",,__.......,:_."J L "".J lJ ~.-J ,=-:::J
()
=-:J
,',
~
(n":o ()
"
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event
9 F Tagged
With no calf
Wi th 2 calves
With 1 calf
With no calves
Breeding(?)
With no calves
Last seen
PEN 2
Date
January 1968
5,17 June 1968
11 June 1969
12 June 1969
10 July 1969
31 Oc tober 1969
4,25 June 1970
25 June 1970
Age
5+years
6 years
7 years
7+years
8 years
Circumstances
Helicopter;with one calf
Observed
Observed;calves tagged
Tagging-induced mortality
Tagging-induced mortality
With #45 male
Trapped,observed
Observed
I--'
W
11 F Tagged
With no calf
"Especially"poor
condition
With no calf
In oestrus
Last seen
January 1968
21 May,10 October 1968
1 May 1969
1 July 1969
24 September 1969
26 January 1970
Helicopter;not with calf
Observed
Observed
Observed
Trapped
Observed
12 F Tagged January 1969 6+years Helicopter;not with calf
Not with calf 21 May 1968 7 years Observed
Not with calf 18 February 1969 7+years Observed
Lost,observed alive 1 May 1969 8 years Observed
Found dead 7 July 1969 8+years Died 3-6 July
Autopsy:Massive hemmorage left of rib cage;dead along fenceline
Lactating
Flaccid uterus
Weight:610 pounds
Conclusions:Death perhaps due to combination of poor condition and hitting fence
13 F Tagged
Last seen
January 1968
14 June 1968
Helicopter;with 1 calf
Wi th 1 yearling
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose II Sex Event
PEN 2
Date Age Circumstances
i-'.po
14
16
17
52
R70-2
R70-4
R70-5
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Tagged
With no calf
With 1 calf;wt.580#
Found dead
Tagged
With no calf
With no calf
Hock tumor &disp1asia
Last seen
Tagged
Found dead
Tagged
With 1 calf
Tagged
Lactating;wt 63511
Tagged &introduced
into pen 2 with 1 calf
Deserts calf
Last seen
Tagged,introduced
into pen 2,radio
installed
Died giving birth
January 1968
4 Oc tober 1968
30 July 1969
August 1969
January 1968
18 June 1968
9 July 1969
3 August 1969
26,27 January 1970
January 1968
25 April 1968
23 July 1969
18 June 1970
22 May 1970
17 July 1970
23 May 1970
23 May 1970
29 June 1970
24 May 1970
27 May 1970
7+years
8+years
9+years
9+years
10 years
11+years
11+years
Calf
2+years
3 years
3 years
Helicopter;with 1 calf
Observed
Trapped
Drowned in hole
Helicopter;with no calf
Observed
Observed
Observed
Observed from helicopter
Helicopter
Dart in carcass
Trapped
Observed
Trapped
Trapped
Trapped
Trapping-induced desertion
Observed
Trapped
Twin fetuses;one breech
presentation
r-::
(\\,'
r=~~~L:'"".1 c-J :J[:..I LD t,J 'tT""J
o
c-:-J IT']~,""",J r1 :--1 ,.----,,~"'_"J
(~
)
:'_u"]••.....1 L:=J
~
Ie-IH_'u til),II,1(D (Lj)-
\"--'-'
r-'\
()
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures;January 1968 through June 1970
I-'
VI
Moose tI Sex
Un-
collared F
Un-
collared ?
calf
Event
Observed
6 observations
With 1 calf
Wi th il7 Female
With till,til,tl2 &also
alone at salt block
Not seen during aerial
counts
Found dead near salt
block
PEN 2
Date
1 June 1969
Through 25 May 1970
8 June 1970
Through 23 September 1969
25 September 1969
28 December 1969
26-27 January 1970
8 June 1970
Age
2 years(?)
3 years(?)
4 months
7 months
8 months
7-8 months
Circumstances
Observed
Observed
Observed from helicopter
Observed
Observed
Observed
Not observed from helicopter
Dentition suggests 4-9 months of
age
3995
15
4250
360
450
F
M
M
M
M
Tagged
Dead
Tagged
Last seen
Tagged
Last seen
Observed
Breeding (?)
Bred successfully
Last seen
Tagged
Last seen
January 1968
Smelled:2 July 1969
Found:8 July 1969
January 1968
10 October 1968
January 1968
January 1968
23 July 1969
3,14,15 October 1969
Fall 1969
29 June 1970
21 Oc tober 1969
5 April 1970
5+years
7 years
2+years
3+years
Calf
2+years
2+years
2+years
3 years
1+
1+
Helicopter;with no calf
No autopsy possible
Helicopter
Observed
Helicopter
Tagging
Observed
Observed with adult females
At least 2 calves in pen 2
Observed
Trapped-no antler development
Trapped
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event
5050 F Tagged;with no calf
Killed;in oestrus
20 F Tagged;with 1 calf
With 1 calf
Last seen;with 1
yearling,no calf
PEN 3
Date
August 1969
23 Oc tober 1969
6 August 1969
27 February 1970
29 June 1970
Age
2+years
2+years
9+years
9+years
10 years
Circumstances
Trapped
Overdose of M50-50 diprenorphrine
Trapped
Observed from helicopter
Observed
I-'
0'
26 F Tagged;with 1 calf'23 September 1969 8+years
In oestrus 29 October 1969
With no calf 26,27 January 1970
Killed 19 May 1970 9 years
Autopsy:One fetus
Total weight -600 lbs.
Weight less fetus &fetal membranes -560 lbs.
Trapped
Trapped
Observed from helicopter
Overdose M-99 Etorphine
27 F
28 F
Tagged 26 September 1969 3+years Trapped
With 1 calf 8 October 1969,27 January 1970 Trapped &observed from helicopter
With no calf;
not lactating 10 July 1970 4+years Trapped
Tagged;lactating 6 Oc tober 1969 7+years Trapped
In oestrus
With no calf 26,27 January 1970 Observed from helicopter
With 1 calf;17 July 1970 8+years Tra,pped
Weight 760 lbs.
r-r.r
C';.r:l r:J rJ [ll.,.[][["'"JJ c:=J c:IJ
o
\'/
t;::-:J [I,J CD r-J lJ ~c-:J
!)
'T!r--,
I ._J
..~\
l'~-"-n
o n
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event
22 F Tagged,with calf
With 1 yearling
With no calf;not
lactating
23 F Tagged
Wi th 2 calves
In oestrus
with 2 calves
Found dead
PEN 4
Date
August 1969
25 May,8 June 1970
17 July 1970
4 September 1969
29 October 1969
13 April 1970
Age
4+years
5 years
5+years
11+years
11+years
Circumstances
Trapped
Observed
Trapped
Trapped
Trapped
I-'.......Autopsy:No fat
Flaccid vascularized empty uterus
24
25
29
F
F
F
Tagged,no calf seen
With 1 calf
With 1 calf
Tagged;wi th
1 calf;weight 920 1bs.
With one calf
Seen alive;with
no calf
Found dead
Tagged;with 1 calf
In oestrus
Last seen alive
with 1 calf
counts
Found dead
August 1969
26 January 1970
25 May,2 July 1970
5 September 1969
29 December 1969
26,27 February,4 February
20 July 1970
14 October 1969
14 October 1969
21 October 1969
26 January,4 February 1970
23 April 1970
7+years
8 years
10+years
11+years
5+years
5+years
Trapped
Observed from helicopter
Observed
Trapped
Trapped
Observed from ground &helicopter
Dead bbefore 1 June,cause
unkn~n
Trapped
Trapped'
Trapped
Not pregnant;dead more than
4-6 weeks in sitting position
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event
PEN 4
Date Age Circumstances
31 F Tagged with 1 calf 12 August 1969 5+years Trapped
With 1 calf 29 December 1969 Observed
Calf not seen 26 January 1970 Observed from helicopter
Calf born 25-28 May 1970 6 years Observed
Last seen with calf 22 June 1970 6+years Observed
3444 F Tagged 11 December 1969 13+years Trapped
/Last observed 26 January 1970 Observed from helicopter
R70-3 F Tagged 20 May 1970 Trapped
I-'One calf born 22-23 May 1970 3 years Observed00
Last seen 29.June 1970 3+years Observed
A60 F Tagged;no calf seen 17 July 1970 Trapped
Not lactating
Weight 840 lbs
36 F Tagged;lactating,
calf tracks seen 23 July 1970 Trapped
2 Un-
collared F Various 'observations October,1969-June 1970 Adult Observed
Un-
collared F 3 Observations with
(2369?)#7 male (2269)26-27 January 1970 <'1 year Observed from helicopter
4 observations Through 28 May 1970 Observed
Darted,escaped trap 4 June 1970 1 year Trapped
Last seen with #7 Male 10 July 1970 Observed
"
r"!
'r-n c-;~C':"l'rJ III[TJ
o
\'i.'}
nJ'C""]E-u L~[LJIT"J r-l r---jl~
i~
~[TJ-[--:=J
,,----,
J
(1\
I"1:)n
Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,January 1968 through June 1970
Moose #Sex Event Date
PEN 4
Age Circumstances
NB 3 dead calves/short yearlings were discovered in Pen 4:one died on 14 February 1970 and.
was discovered that day.One apparently died during winter before 22 April 1970 near the
carcass of #29 Female.The third died probably during early April 1970.
7 M
(23697)
~
\0
21
44
M
M
Tagged
Last seen
Tagged;large staph
infection left buttock
Not seen during aerial
counts
Tagged
Last seen
August 1969
2 June 1970
9 October 1969
26 January-4 February 1970
4 June 1970
10 July 1970
1+years
2 years
1+years
1 year
Trapped
Observed
Trapped
Trapped
Observed
38 F
39 F
(A-26)
Observed
Tagged;not
lactating
Observed
Tagged;with
1 calf
26,27 January 1969
26,27 January 1969
28 July 1970
Observed from helicopter
Observed from helicopter
Trapped
Un-
collared F Observed;with 1 calf 26,27 January 1969
Calf may have been with #38 or #39
Observed from helicopter
60 M Breeding
Bred successfully
Tagged
Last seen
6-8 October 1969
Fall 1969
15 May 1970
23 July 1970
3 observations with adult female
At least 3 calves in Pen 3
Trapped
Trapped
Figure 2:Comparison of calf and yearling crops within moose
exclosures and in outside population (Unit l5A).
(,0
,6
#b
\It ~
a \~~~?jo
'0+
<*~
~:c 10..a
n ~~'C~~'..J
/0
~-.-.r ......--".....-r0
"
o'""~,
"
"-~
"-"""
(!QJ\ItZ.~
e IN 'PENS
o Ott,-rj IDe /ifNS
ljbe "~~
'leAl<...
~.....-..-------------------~-------
"10
..
rJJ
(-'!
~;r---:rn r---1 ~li',"L.,,j lilLi.J r:IJ E:J
CD
ITO ~;~
".
IT"]c::cJ r----\
l<J ~.
c "
r---i [-----.J
fj
~'-J
.
:--l
"J
(1\~)l,,~,h
Table 4.Moose natality,mortality and recruitment in four one-square mile enclosures.
Adult
FF (M}-;:)
Calves
Calves Lost
Yearlings
Recruited
PEN 1
Adults
Died
Net Gain (+)or Loss (-)
of Adults
(discounting experimental
manipulation)
January 1968*
June 1968
June 1969
June 1968-June 1969
June 1970
June 1969-June 1970
6
6
4***
5
(0)
(1)**
(1)
(2)
1
5
o
1***
4
o
1
2
2
o
PEN 2
1
o
+1
o
N
~January 1968*
June 1968
June 1969
June 1968-June 1969
June 1970
June 1969-June 1970
8 (1)
8 (1)
11***(1)
11****(2)
3
1
4
o
3
4
4***
1
1
o
o
PEN 3
3
2 000
+1
-1
August 1969 8
June 1970 6 0
August 1969-June 1970
August 1969 12
June 1970 9
August 1969-June 1970
(1)
(1)
(2
(1
4
2 00
1
10
4+
5-6
o
3
3
PEN 4
1
4-5
4-5
2 (killed)
4
o
-3
***
***
****
Ignoring tagging mortality
Introduced into pen
2 Calves +2 cows escaped into Pen 2 Sept.1968
One adult female introduced May 1970
o
00
000
2 Adult females killed
One killed female contained 1 fetus
One adult trapped in man-made hole
Table 5.June calf crops and yearling recruitment in Moose Research Center enclosures.
Calf Crop Yearling Recruitment Population (Adult)
Year Calves/IOO F (No.F)Yrlgs/IOO F (No.F)%Gain/loss
Pen 1
1968 83 (6)17 (6)
1969 0 (4)(no breeding bull)50 (4)+17%(6)
1970 100 (4)No recruitment No change (7)
x(not incl.69-70)92 34 +17%
Pen 2
1968 12.5 (8)25-38 (8)
'"1969 50 (8)9 (11)+11%(9)'"1970 30 (10)0 (11)-8%(12)
x 31 9-14 No change
Pen 3
1969 (August)50 (8)0 (8)No data
1970 29 (7)38 (8)No change (6)
x 40 19 No change
~
r-:J
(\'r:r ~LT:l
\
r---r rrTT'"1 ~r-nLe..,_~J WiJL ,!~J.',L,."I"..1 L.J
01)
\..1'!
rr:--J L=U U..J C..J r---:,r-----1
I ',.J
,---.--.,
l J
,.----.-,
L.J
'f)
~~
,
~
(
.•1","\.I \
I'n
Table 5.June calf crops and yearling recruitment in Moose Research Center enclosures.
Calf Crop Yearling Recruitment Population (Adult)
Year Ca1ves/100 F (No.F)Yr1gs/100 F (No.F)%Gain/loss
Pen 4
1969 (August)83 (12)8 (12)No data
1970 45+(9)44-56 (9)-21%(14)
x 64+28-32 -21%
All Pens
1968 43 (14)21-29 (14)
1969 59 (27)11 (35)+13%(15)
N 1970 43 (30)25-29 (28)-10%(39)w
x 51 (71)18-21 (77)-02%(54)
Unit 15A (Aerial counts by Richey (unpublished)and LeResche)
1968 47 (1520)18(est.)(1520)
1969 48 (438)7(est.)(438)
1970 ca:30 (ca:500)23 (496)
x ca:44(est.)17 (2454)(est.)
Table 6 lists dead animals and causes of death where known.Few generaliza-
tions can be drawn from the scanty data;however,every undecomposed carcass
found,as well as those of the two females killed,was in generally poor
condition.
Table 7 lists extracted fat in percent of wet weight in femurs collected
from dead animals within the pens and during tagging operations.All marrows
from femurs collected at the MRC were below 20%extracted fat.Number 23
female had been dead for some time before her femur was collected,but R70-5
female,23 female and (25)69 calf were all found within 24 hours of death,
so specimens were relatively fresh.Outside specimens varied in fat content
(27-75%)but were uniformly higher in this respect than MRC specimens.
Such data suggest abnormally low nutrition within the enclosures.Several
facts indicate that nutritional status "outside"may be equally poor.First,
animals R70-5 and BK had not been enclosed,but were trapped outside the pens,
so their 10%and 17%values reflect the same population as the specimen from
PA-54.
Finally,mortality within the pens is not demonstrably different from that
outside.This is shown by Table 5,which incorporates aerial counts,and by
carcass collections made in June 1970 of un-handled animals in the Moose River
Flats (GMU l5A)outside the MRC.In 3 hours of flying,6 calf and 7 adult
female carcasses were located (in addition to 5 hunter-killed males).The
area searched was larger than the MRC's 4 square miles,but it was searched
superficially by comparison.
Serological and hematological values for moose:Tables 8-15 and Figs.
3-18 itemize and summarize serological and hematological data gathered for
moose during the reporting period.The data show seasonal differences for
many parameters,as well as age,sex and reproductive status related differences.
Seasons are designated as follows:spring -May and June;summer -July and
August;rut -September and October;early winter -November through February;
late winter -March and April.Essentially,the present values will serve as
baselines for comparison of future values.Pathological and extreme nutritional
difficulties in future specimens should be evident immediately,and when
general condition parameters (ie:weight)are known for more serially-bled
animals,more subtle indicators should emerge.From these baseline data,
it is obvious that many constituents are condition-related (eg:Ca,P,Glucose
and others are depressed during late winter;Uric Acid,total protein,and
bilirubin are elevated during pregnancy,etc.).Some (BUN,glucose and others)
are probably more sensitive to changes in condition than others.It remains
to collect further specimens from populations we know are stressed,and to
establish whether significant differences can be found in the levels of these
constituents.
A brief discussion of factors that may alter each parameter,including
comparison with previous work and theoretical aspects,follows.Cole (1967)
and Davidsohn and Henry (1969)are the primary sources of information in the
following discussions.
24
{j
n
LJ
C[
D
['
L;
[
[J
G
C···~Cl~
G
c
E
D
[
b
[
(-
:~-7
25
Table 7.Femur-marrow and weight data.
Weight %Extracted
Moose Ii Sex Age Location Month (lbs .)Fat (femur)Condition
R70-5 F Ad Outside May 9.65 2 fetuses;1 breech
23 F Ad Pen 4 October-0.16 Found dead,not pregnant
April
26 F Ad Pen 3 May 600 0.14 Killed,one fetus
DOA2 F 5+15A March 26.96 Killed,not pregnant
DOA1 F 2+15A March 62.37 Killed,not pregnant
PA54 F Ad 15A June 44.68 Killed
SK F Ad 15A April 74.73 Found dead;2 fetuses
BK F 12+Outside May 16.70 Killed,not pregnant
(25)69 M Calf Pen 4 1 Feb.160 0.26 Died of pneumonia
Table 8.Mean serological values of moose June 1969 through May 1970.
(*indicates male-female difference is significant at P <.05)-
Males Females
(n)Mean s (n)Mean s
Calcium (mg %)(30)10.84 1.53 (160)10.06 1.12
Inorganic Phosphorous (mg %)(30)6.20 1.70 (160)5.78 2.01
Glucose (mg %)(30)105.33 58.74 (157)122.00 66.08
BUN (mg %)(30)5.81*5.27 (158)10.57*12.23
Uric Acid (mg %)(30)4.06 17.82 (158)1.26 6.31
Cholesterol (mg %)(30)72.02*17.37 (160)85.41*23.10
Total Protein (gm %)(30)5.92*1.46 (160)6.59*1.19
Albumin (gm %)(29)1.34 1.64 (158)1.11 0.93
Bilirubin (mg %)(30)0.39 0.20 (160)0.43 0.23
Alkaline Phosphatase(mU/m1)(30)75.84 85.51 (160)69.33 65.06
LDH (mU/ml)(30)424.50 122.47 (160)391.75 132.47
SGOT (mU/m1)(30)194.33 48.62 (160)191.96 201.41
26
.[
[
C[
r
[~~
[
['
C
q
L
c········t ;--,'=3
~
C
E
[J
[
L
L
CD
C
1ll)",II!I
(
i"\.,,,
i 1
i ,/n
Table 9.Age-related differences in serological values for moose.
(175 adults,9 yearlings,5 calves)
P P
1 2
Adults Yearlings Calves (Ad (Ad
vs vs
yrlgs.)calves)
x S.D.x S.D.x S.D.
Calcium (mg%)11.04 1.28 10.62 1.28 10.70 0.88 .01 .01
lnor.Phosphouous (mg%)5.80 2.02 7.47 1.68 6.36 1.15 .001 .001
Glucose (mg%)115.23 53.44 165.55 161.85 127.00 29.77 NS .001
BUN (mg%)9.81 10.05 5.56 3.13 4.54 2.43 NS NS
Uric Acid (mg%)0.70 0.33 0.74 0.27 0.82 0.16 NS NS
Cholesterol (mg%)85.74 21.61 70.53 14.23 73.00 9.80 .001 .,001
N Total Protein (gm%)6.66 1.04 5.51 0.64 5.78 0.86 .001 .001.....
Albumin (gm%)Not determined
Bilirubin (mg)0.45 0.41 0.32 0.08 0.26 0.08 .001 .001
Alk.Phosphatase (mU/ml)67.90 70.34 84.44 53.67 109.00 42.24 .005 .005
LDH (mU/ml)388.68 134.14 478.00 107.26 456.11 111.12 .001 .001
SGOT (mU/ml)179.65 56.70 218.33 40.68 216.00 29.56 .001 .001
Table 10.Pregnancy -related differences in mean serological values for moose
(3 pregnant,11 non-pregnant)
Pregnant Non-pregnant
P
x s x s
.Calcium (mg%)
Inorg.Phosphorous (mg%)
Glucose (mg%)
BUN (mg%)
Uric Acid (mg%)
Cholesterol (mg%)
Total Protein (gm%)
Albumin (gm%)
Bilirubin (mg%)
Alk.Phosphatase (mU/ml)
LDH (mU/ml)
SGOT (mU/ml)
10.63 0.94
6.40 2.90
50.00 36.29
48.33 33.62
1.07 0.88
98.33 24.61
7.43 0.17
7.00 0.29
0.87 0.66
115.00 134.35
465.00 135.34
206.67 36.82
10.60 0.87
6.58 1.40
122.27 55.94
12.73 9.97
0.76 0.24
78.63 7.71
6.05 0.47
8.10 0.19
0.45 0.17
73.5 46.80
418.64 127.99
195.45 60.99
NS
NS
.05
NS
.001
NS
.001
NS
.Oal
.025
NS
NS
r--
L.
r"U
r'L
o
fl'-----'
Table 11.Mean hematological values of moose June 1969 through May 1970.
(Male -female differences insignificant in all cases)
Males Females
n mean s n mean s
Hemoglobin (gm%)21 14.04 5.06 67 14.43 6.22
Hematocrit (vo1%)21 37.95 13.77 66 37.51 13.19
WBC (fcc)21 3057 1283 66 3563 1767
Eos:i:Dphils 16 4.94 4.56 67 5.70 4.27
Segmenters 22 28.14 18.67 91 27.65 17 .01
Lymphocytes 23 66.74 20.35 92 68.76 17.27
28
nCcJ
C
C
E
E
C
[
L
(~.-''--u
.[
(0 ~")()
\./
Table 12.Age -related differences in hematological values for moose.
p p
1 2
Adults Yearlings Calves (Ad (Ad
vs vs
yr1gs.)calves)
n x s n x s n x s
Hemoglobin (gm%)88 14.34 6.02 1 16.4 1 9.2 No data
Hematacrit (vo1%)65 37.68 13.16 No data 2 19.0 5.00 --.001
WBC (fcc)84 3463.1 1680.1 1 4800 2 1825 479.9 --.005
Eosinophils 77 5.61 4.42 3 4.00 2.16 No data .001
Segmenters 106 27.88 17.67 4 28.00 7.45 3 23.00 NS NS
Lymphocytes 109 68.28 18.21 3 68.67 8.38 3 74.00 15.77 NS NS
N
\0
Table 13.Pregnancy-related differences in hematological values for moose.
Pregnant Non Pregnant P
-n x s n x s
Hemoglobin (gm%)17 9.96 4.92 3 13.83 1.43 .03
Hematocrit (vo1%)16 24.13 13.11 3 37.33 6.13 .03
WBC 16 2449 1538 3 1517 366 .07
Eo~inophi1s 39 6.29 4.23 5 4.20 1.33 .05
Segmenters 47 19.30 11.84 5 23.80 13.27 NS
Lymphocytes 46 75.20 13.85 5 71.20 12.16 NS
30
-0
n
r,~-,
tJ
n
I'
L'
r-'
L_J
[
R
n
fJ
~r~~~j
G
o
C
r~~3
[
E
[
C u
[
c;
Table 14.Summary of significant (P ~.05)changes in moose blood values
with sex,age,and preganncy.Baseline is female,adult,not
pregnant.
+is an elevation,- a depression,0 no significant change,
nd no data
('\
\c)
c""'---',
Calcium
Inorg.Phosphorus
Glucose
BUN
Uric Acid
Cholesterol
Total Protein
Albumin
Bilirubin
Alk.Phosphatase
LDH
SGOT
Hemoglobin
Hematocrit
WBC
Eosinophils
Segmenters
Lymphocytes
Male
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Yearling
+
o
o
o
o
+
+
+
nd
nd
nd
o
o
31
Calf
+
+
o
o
o
+
+
+
o
o
o
o
Pregnant
o
o
o
+
o
+
o
+
o
o
o
o
Table 15.Summary of significant (p -.05)changes in moose blood constituents with season.Each season
is compared with the one immediately preceding it (eg:inorganic phosphorus is significantly
higher in spring than in late winter.
(+is an elevation,- a depression,0 no significant change,nd no data)
Spring Summer Rut Early Winter Late Winter
Calcium 0 +
Inorganic Phosphorus +
Glucose 0 +
BUN +0
Uric Acid 0 +
w Cholesterol -+
N
Total Protein -+
Albumin 0 0
Bilirubin +0
Alk.Phosphatase +
LDH ++
SGOT +0
Hemoglobin -(May &June)
Hematocrit -+
WBC -0
Eosinophils nd
Segmenters +0
Lymphocytes -nd
+
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
+
+
o
o
o
+
+
o
+
o
+
-(Nov.-Feb.)
-(Winter)
o
o
+
o
+
+
o
o
.r:!
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i
1.Calcium:x =11.04 mg%±1.28 S.D.for 175 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly lower in yearlings (10.62)and
calves (10.70)
pregnancy variation:none
seasonal variation:rises spring through October;depressed thereafter
Discussion:Increase in calcium level may be due to hyperproteinew~a,
hyperparathyroidism,extreme neoplasia and other causes.Decreased calcium may
result from hypoparathyroidism,vitamin D deficiency,acute or chronic renal
failure,starvation associated with hypoproteinemia,parturient paresis (milk
fever)and other causes.Thus,calcium depression during winter months may be
related to reduced nutrition and possible hypoproteinemia and decreased vitamin
D during this period.Similarly,depressed Ca may be indicative of range
deterioration in certain instances.
2.Inorganic Phosphorous:x =5.80 mg%±2.02 S.D.for 175 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly higher in yearlings (7.47)and calves
(6.36)
pregnancy variation:none
seasonal variation:elevated following rut and following winter;
depressed summer,rut and late winter
Discussion:Similarly to Ca,phosphorous is elevated in
hypoparathyroidism,renal failure,and excessive vitamin D.Decreased
inorganic phosphorus often results from simple lack of phosphorus intake,
when lameness and swelling of the hocks often occurs.(cf:F 16,Pen 2,3
August 1969 -table 3).
3.Glucose:x =115.23 mg%±53.44 S.D.in 171 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly higher (127.00)in calves
pregnancy variation:significantly lower (50.0 vs 122.3)in
pregnant females
seasonal variation:elevated in summer;progressivly decreases
through late winter
Discussion:Blood glucose is rapidly elevated during stress,so
it is likely that the present mean values are greater than those found in
calm animals.Reported Bovine and Ovine values vary from 35-74 mg%
(Cole 1967).However,given that all samples from wild moose will be
obtained under stress,comparison of values is possible.
Alterations in glucose level may be associated with pancreatic
abnormalities (diabetes or insulin poisoning).Hypoglycemia may be an
indication of starvation,although gluconeogenesis can maintain blood glucose
at high enough levels to sustain life even in severe starvation if it persists
only a short while.For this reason,uric acid (a product of protein
catabolism in gluconeogenesis)is a more sensitive indicator.Ketosis may
be accompanied by hypoglycemia,resulting from assorted digestive or
49
nutritional disorders.
Houston (1969)reported a mean value of 67..7 ±5.65 S.D.for 13 Shiras moose
of assorted ages and sexes.
.[
[.
-~C-__
,-t_J
[
BUN:x =9.81 mg%±10.05 S.D.in 173 adults
~ual variation:significantly lower (5.81 vs 10.57)in adult
4.
males
through
age variation:none
pregnancy variation:
seasonal variation:
late winter.
none
highest in spring;depressed progressively
L:
r-o
L
Discussion:BUN results from protein catabolism,and its elevation
may be due to excessive protein breakdown or,more usually,to renal failure.
In addition,however,an increase in dietary protein may increase BUN.
Depressed BUN levels are uncommon,but most usually result from decreased
protein intake or absorption.
Houston (1969)reported BUN values of 12.9 ±3.0 during July-September
(n=7)and 5.1 ±1.8 during October-February (n=5).He speculated that BUN
levels reflected changes in nitrogen balance due to nutritional changes.That
the present values are highest in spring and summer supports this thinking.
5.Uric Acid:x =0.702 mg%+0.332 S.D.for 172 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:none
pregnancy variation:significantly higher (1.07 ~0.76 in
pregnant cows.
seasonal variation:elevated in early winter,after rut
Discussion:Uric acid is a product of amino acid breakdown,and
as such~is increased in starvation for three reasons:1)increased tissue
(ie:protein)turnover t 2)decreased renal excretion of the chemical due
to acidosis,and 3)gluconeogenesis,with uric acid as a waste product.
The obvious elevation of serum uric acid following rut possibly results
from decreased food intake during this period,but the winter period of
low nutrition is not sufficient (at least t not during 1969-70)to cause
elevation.
Uric acid may also be markedly increased in hepatic disorders.
[
B
G
(--~~
;-"c...J
D
c
c
Q
[
L
significantly lower in yearlings (70.53)and
6.Cholesterol:x
sexual variation:
adult males
age variation:
calves (73.00)
85.74 mg%+21.61 for 175 adults
significantly lower (72.02 vs 85.41)in L
(~,-,
~l
50 L
c/pregnancy variation:none
seasonal variation:highest in summer,decreasing progressively
through early winter and spring,with a minor elevation in late winter.
Discussion:Cholesterol level is primarily of value asa reflection of
diet and dietary changes (and of the state of rumen metabolism).It is
elevated significantly when diets high in saturated fatty acids are being
consumed.Consequently,starvation conditions may result in hypocholesterolemia.
Pathological conditions that may alter cholesterol levels include thyroid
and hepatic disorders and nephrosis.The observed seasonal variation in moose
may reflect dietary changes in saturated fatty acids.
7.Total protein:x =6.66 gm%+1.04 for 175 adults
sexual variation:significantly lower (5.92 vs 6.59)in adult
males
age variation:significantly lower in yearlings (5.51)and calves
pregnancy variation:
pregnant cows
seasonal variation:
rut and elevated through late
(5.78)
significantly higher (7.43 vs 6.05)in
highest in summer and fall,depressed following
winter and spring
'r'\
;~
C~'j
~.
Discussion:Total protein is a rather insensitive indicator of
nutritional status,for it is maintained at near-normal levels except in extreme
distress.In sub-clinical cases of undernutrition,albumin is a better indicator.
Most commonly,hypoprotememia is the result of trauma (wounds,burns)or renal
disease.Occasionally,however,it can result from gluconeogenesis and,as
such,can reflect dietary insufficiencies.In cases of chronic protein
starvation T.P.may decrease noticab1y.
Decreased total serum protein following rut may be a result of nutritional
deprivation and tissue breakdown.
Houston (1969)reported a mean total protein of 6.38 ±0.87 for 13 Shiras
moose.
8.Albumin:x =3.9 gm%±0.904 S.D.for 26 adults
s ~~~~Cl,l.~"_"aJ~"e.~.p.re.g nancy and s easonal varia tions :insufficient
data at the present time.
Discussion:Albumin is the smallest of the serum proteins and forms
40-60%of the total protein.It is important as a source of amino acids and
fatty acid transport,among other functions.
Depressed albumin may indicate,among other things,deficient protein intake
or excessive protein breakdown.Decreased albumin is present in malnutrition
and starvation.For these reasons,albumin determination may prove valuable in
our studies.Present data (26 determinations)are insufficient to evaluate.
Houston (1969)reported albumin x =4.47 ±1.38 S.D.for his 13 Shiras
moose.
51
'u
It seems unlikely bilirubin testing will prove valuable in assessing
nutritional status of moose,although seasonal changes do suggest a limited
dietary influence.
pregnancy variation:significantly higher (0.87 vs 0.45 mg%)in
pregnant cows
seasonal variation:depressed from early winter through late
winter;re-e1evated spring through fall
Discussion:Bilirubin is a pigment liberated in the RE system by
breakdown of hemoglobin.Bilirubin measurement is commonly a test of liver
function,for its elevation is symptomatic of hemolytic diseases.Other
conditions elevating serum bilirubin include jaundice,cardiac insufficiency and
gangrenous pneumonia.Coles (1967)suggests,however,that bilirubin is only
slightly elevated in severe hepatic disease in bovines,ovines and caprines.
9.
(0.26)
Bilirubin:x =0.45 mg%+0.41 for 175 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly lower in yearlings (0.32)and calves
[
C---,
f
',._;
n
[
~LJ
[
o
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly higher in yearlings (84.44)and
calves (109.00)
pregnancy variation:significantly higher (115.0 vs 73.5)in
pregnant cows
seasonal variation:elevated in spring and early winter
10.Alkaline Phosphatase:x
adults
67.90 mUjm1 +70.34 S.D.for 175 D
n~'--- -\
:=--=-~:=j
c
Discussion:Alkaline phosphatase hydrolyzes phosphoretic esters
and is concentrated intrace11u1ar1y in osteob1asts,renal tubules and the
intestinal mucosa.In humans,changed concentrations of this enyzme are
diagnostic for bone abnormalities and liver disease.Levels are normally
elevated during periods of growth (cf:calves and yearlings)and during
pregnancy,due to increased osteoblast activity and the enzyme's production
in the placenta.Lowered levels can result from under-nourishment.
D
[J
x =388.68 +134.68 for 175 adults
winter
none
elevated in summer;depressed in late
Discussion:LDH catalyzes the lactic acid--pyruvic acid conversion,
occurring in most tissues.In humans,elevated LDH levels are indicative of
several pathological conditions (eg:pulmonary or myocardial infarction,
hepatitis,cirrhosis,leukemia and carcinomas).No direct relationship to
diet is evident,so the enzyme's usefulness in the present work is doubtful.
E
[
~
L
Co
higher in yearlings (478.00)and
11.Lactic Dehydrogenase (LDH):
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly
calves (456.11)
pregnancy variation:
seasonal variation:
52 [J."L
in
none
significantly elevated following rut ere:
late winter
12.Glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT):x =179.65 +56.70 S.D.
in 174 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly higher in yearlings (218.33)and
calves (216.00)
pregnancy variation:
seasonal variation:
early winter)and depressed in
,c'
Discussion:SGOT is elevated in cases of necrosis involving the
tissues rich in the enzyme.Its concentration is especially high in the
heart,liver and skeletal muscle and thus elevation is a sensitive indicator of
myocardial infarction,and hepatic and muscular necrosis.In cattle,SGOT
elevation has been noted 4uring starvation.That in the present sample of
moose the enzyme is elevated in both sexes about 40%after rut through February
suggests this measurement may prove of value in detecting stress conditions.
13.Hemoglobin~x =14.34 gm%+6.02 S.D.for 88 adults
sexual variance:none
pregnancy variance:significantly lower (9.9%vs 13.8%)in pregnant cows
seasonal variance:significantly elevated (18.1)during
rut
.~
~
Discussion:Measurement of hemoglobin is both of doubtful accuracy
and of doubtful usefulness.Its level is indicative of oxygen-carrying capacity
of the blood and its depression is indicative of various anemias.Its value,
considered in light of other erythrocyte values (eg:hematocrit,PCV,MCV)
can help delineate the type of anemia and give clues to its etiology.
Anemias may be hypochromic or normochromic;examples of hypochromic
types being caused by ~arious poisonings,bacterial diseases,parturient
hemoglobinuria,parasitic infections,or dietary deficiencies of iron or copper.
Hemoglobin determination thus may prove useful in some naturally-occuring
situations in moose.
14.Hematocrit:x =37.68 vol%+13.16 S.D.for 65 adults
sexual variation:none
~variation:significantly lower (19.00)in 2 calves
pregnancy variation:significantly lower (24.13 vs 37.33)in
pregnant cows
seasonal variation:lowest in spring;increases progressively
through September-October and then falls during winter
Discussion:Hematocrit is used in conjunction with hemoglobin
measurement as an indicator of the state of the erythocyte system.See
discussion of use of hemoglobin values.
(>
,~
53
15.Leukocytes:(WBC)x =3463 ±1680 ce11s/cc for 84 adults
sexual variation:none
age variation:significantly lower (1825)in calves
pregnancy variation:significantly higher (2449 vs 1517)in
16 pregnant vs 3 non-pregnant females
seasonal variation:slightly depressed in spring
Discussion:WBC and differential counts are most useful in diagnosing
various infections,intoxications,and neoplasms.Changes in absolute numbers
and relative proportions of the several leukocytic cell types,when considered
with other symptoms,can help differentiate between various disorders.However,
individual variation makes serial bleeding of the same animal almost essential
if small changes are to be detected.No direct nutritionally related changes
in WBC or differential counts have been firmly established,but such information
can prove of value in discovering pathology resulting from nutritional deprivation.
Browse utilization:Raw (twig-count and weight)condensed data for
browse utilization during winters of 1968-69 and 1969-70 are given in Tables
16-19.Table 20 gives estimates of utilization in pounds/moose/day,given a
browsing period of 210 days and calculating from the mean number of moose
present during the period considered.The statistical unreliability of the
data makes them of doubtful value,and necessitates redesigning the sampling
procedure.This will be done in cooperation with USFWS,who have primary
responsibility for vegetation analysis.
Extreme variation in sampling may result from more than only lack of
sufficient sample size.It could be indicative of the very 10w'percentage
utilization of available browse.The only percent-utilization estimates are
found in Bishop (1969),for Pens 1 and 2 during the winter of 1967-68.
Seeme1's data,reported there,showed less than 20%utilization of all species
in Pens 1 and 2,and estimated production of greater than 720,000 pounds/square
mile.
Mean twig wet weight estimated from clipping (Table 19)was 2.73 g in
the winter of 1968-69,but only 1.05 g for 1969-70.This difference in the
expansion factor (ie:parameter used to estimate pounds utilization given
number of twigs browsed)accounts for 54%of the difference between utilization
estimates for Pens 1 and 2 in spring 1969 and 1970.Two possible contributive
factors are not obvious:first,twig-clipping was done by different individuals
in the two years--Seeme1 in 1969 and Milke in 1970.Standard deviations are
so great,however (cf:Table 19)that the worker doing the clipping may not
be the greatest variable..
Second,the summer of i969 was extraordinarily dry,with n9 measurable
precipitation at the MRC in July or August.Annual growth could have been
as much as 62%(ie:2.73 -1.05)lower that summer.However,a compensatory
2.73
increase in numbers of twigs browsed should have been evident were this the
case.
54
,[
[
C[
n
[,
,----"
L
[
o
D
eLl~~-~
C
c
E
c
[
[
L
Co
L
("'1
'.,
()
Table 16.Numbers of birch (~.papyrifera)twigs browsed in 8 x 24 foot sample plots measured in April 1969.
Kenai Moose Research Center.
Habitat Type
Birch Spruce-Mature Hardwoods
Dense Medium Thin Birch Spruce Dense Thin No.Moose
Pen 1
n 25 26 25 24 20 20 20
-39.60 28.85 33.88 23.88 3.35 2.55 11.60 7x
s 38.68 22.52 33.16 20.29 8.06 5.67 14.25
\Jl Pen 2VI--
n 30 31 30 24 30 25 25
-90.43 54.45 55.33 7.07 3.32 7.00 14x'57.27
s 59.53 50.88 '52.48 42.58 15.55 6.73 12.14
Table 17.Numbers of birch ~.Papyrifera)twigs browsed in ~x 24 foot sample plots measured in April 1970.
Kenai Moose Research Center.
Birch Spruce Mature Hardwoods
Dense Medium Thin Spruce-Birch Spruce Dense Thin No.Moose
Pen 1--
n 22 26 25 24 20 19 21
x 39.63 30.96 13.92 13.13 0 1.47 6.81 7
s 39.71 28.12 15.97 15.15 -4.34 9.61
Pen 2
U1 n 32 31 30 211 30 21 260'1
-55.41 50.68x 28.84 29.05 0.23 1.76 8.50 12
s 49.13 40.92 33.45 25.79 1.26 4.20 20.77
Pen 3
n 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
-67.12 68.56 21.56 21.92x52.48 1.00.13.20 12
s 65.56 49.97 47.58 27.14 35.74 3.14 32.93
r:
(7".
C=)!.CJ rn..L."i •..1 C~GL,,]E7J fC""3 CCl
(0)
'I'"[!:.''-]CI:J CD ,----,
L,J :----,
I.,J ~[=:J
.~()
:--r--::---iLI'..J CJ
(["\..'-(",,"\
','I
Table 17.Numbers of birch (~.Papyrifera)twigs browsed in 8 x 24 foot sample plots measured in April 1970.
Kenai Moose Research Center.
Birch Spruce Mature Hardwoods
Dense Medium Thin Spruce-Birch Spruce Dense Thin No.Moose
Pen 4
n 23 27 19 24 26 24 31
-x 103.39 123.29 103.06 67.88 25.69 3.75 24.19 16
s 64.45 72 .24 65.96 50.33 25.49 13.16 35.01
Calf Pen
VI 4 5 13 9 7-...J n
-x 146.00 81.00 56.00 51.33
98.86
s 30.33 57.68 18.43 39.94 72.83
Table 18.Summary of numbers of birch (~.papyrifera)twigs browsed in 8 x 24 foot
sample plots.Kenai Moose Research Center.
Habitat Type
Birch Spruce Mature x
Pen 1
1969:n 76 44 40 160
-34.04 14.77 7.05x 21.99
s 32.35 18.82 11.76 27.73
1970:n 73 44 40 157
-27.74 7.16 4.28x 17.60
s 30.92 12.96 8.03 28.77
Pen 2
1969:n 91 54 50 195
-64.64 28.52 5.16x 40.44
s 53.95 40.41 4.98 51.69
1970 : n 94 51 47 192
-45.09 12.12 5.49 26.63x
s 43.32 21.81 16.05 37.95
Pen 3
1970 :n 75 50 50 175
-64.08 21.75 7.10 ,35.70x
s 53.40 31.73 24.17 49.03
Pen 4
1970:n 69 50 55 174
-x 111.09 45.94 15.28 61.61
s 68.71 44.70 27.53 66.64
58
n
I L_;
[
(E
fJ
['
r
('J
[
[j
C
,n5d
[
C
C
r;
b
[
E
L
<':t
,[
f-;,Table 19.Weights of twigs clipped in April 1970 for estimating pounds of browse
utilized from twig count data (Table 17)
Wet Weights
Pen 1
Thin-Birch Type
Dense-Birch Type
Total
Pen 4
,
Thin-Birch Type
Dense-Birch Type
Total
~Pen 1
,~
Thin-Birch
Dense-Birch
Total
Pen 4
Thin-Birch
Dense-Birch
Total
r-'
~\:.:.7
n
100
100
200
100
100
200
99
100
199
99
100
199
x(grams)
0.96
1.30
1.14
0.88
0.83
0.85
Dry Weights
0.62
0.72
0.67
0.53
0.52
0.52
59
s
1.05
1.07
1.08
0.76
1.01
0.89
0.65
0.62
0.64
0.43
0.60
0.52
Table 2O.Estimated browse utilization (pounds)in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures.1968-69 and 1969-70 winters
1968-1969 1969-1970
Species Pen 1 Pen 2 Pen 1 +Pen 2 Pen 1 Pen 2 Pen 3 Pen 4 Pen 1 +Pen 2 All Pens
Birch 15,517 27,168 42,685 4,649 6,496 8,758 16,080 11,145
Willow 1,184 887 2,071 323 421 838 791 744
Aspen 330 1,037 1,367 67 61 222 446 128
Cottonwood 27 27
Viburnum 104 52 156 32
Rose 136 136 5 29 144 5
Dwarf Birch 3,584 3,584 26
Alder 209 209 336
'"Total 17,299 32,937 50,236 5,039 6,983 10,183 17,519 12,022 39,7240
No.Moose 7 14 21 7 12 12 16 19 47
Lbs/moose/day 11.8 11.2 11.4 3.43 2.77 4.05 5.22 3.01 4.02
Estimated s ±26.6 ±25.6 ±26.0 ±7.75 ±6.73 ±9.68 ±10.83 ±7.07 ±9.20
r--:
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The remaining 46%of the '69-'70 change may be due in great part to the
enormous sampling variance (note that s values are near 100%of means).
However,another weather factor may have operated.The 1969-70 winter was
extremely mild,and green vegetation (eg:Vaccinum,Pyrola)was available
almost throughout the year.This could have reduced the estimator of 210 days
in which only browse is taken.
Some general subjective observations re:browse utilization are
of interest:
1.The dominant browse species (birch,~.papyrifera)is seldom found
in a hedged condition,despite the rather high (x =11.8 moose/square mile)
and probably stabilizing population of moose present year~round.
2.What little willow (Salix~)and aspen (Populus tremuloides)is
present is in severly hedged condition.Many plants of these species have
been either killed or severly retarded in annual growth.Viburnum edule,
rarer than the other two,seems similarly affected.Percent utilization
data for these species for the past two years are not available,nor are
results of successional plot readings.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Moose populations within the Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures
are valid approximations of unenclosed moose populations in terms of natality,
mortality,recruitment and general condition.Results of research concerning
these population characteristics are therefore validly applied ,to other
populations.It can be postulated that moose in Unit l5A are at maximum
possible density and should therefore not be managed with increase in mind.
2.Blood serum analyses are of great potential in determining nutritional
status and general health of moose,given valid baselines for various ages,
sexes and seasons.In situations where poor nutrition,poor calf survival or
poor natality are suspected,sera should be collected from as many animals as
practical and subjected to SMA-12 and electrophoretic analyses.In this way,
degree of under-nutrition--or other physiological problems--can be specifically
noted.
Hematological analyses seem less promising for such purposes.
3.Responses of serological and hematological parameters to physiological
and behavioral stress (and therefore the values of these parameters as
indicators of stress)should be tested in one enclosure (Pen 4)by introducing
an abnormally high population density into the pen.Limiting factors (ie:will
moose ever reach density sufficient to hedge vegetation or will other factors
depress densities below this level?)will also be more clearly elucidated by
this experiment.
4.Present methods of estimating browse utilization are i~adequate.A fu1l-
time plant ecologist or range manager should be assigned to develop a workable
and precise technique.
61
Greer,K.R.1968.
femur marrows.
PUBLICATIONS
Results of blood analyses will ,be published as a single paper,possibly
in Compo Biochem.Physio.
Pen layout,stocking and general programs will be published as the basis
for aMRC series.
LITERATURE CITED
Bassett,N.R.1951.Winter browse utilization and activities of moose
on the Snake &Buffalo river bottoms of Jackson Hole,Wyoming.M.S.
Thesis.Utah State Ag.College.79 p.
Bischoff,A.I.1954.Limitations of the bone marrow technique in determining
malnutrition in deer.Proc.Western Assoc.State Game &Fish Comm.
34:48~52.
Bishop,R.H.1969.Moose Report.Annual Project Segment Report.Vol.X.
W-'15-R-3,Work Plan K.'152 p.
Braend,M.1962.Studies on blood &serum groups in the elk (Alces alces).
In:Blood Groups in Infrahuman Species (ed:Chone,C.)An.N.~
Acad.Sci.97:296-305.
Cheatum,E.L.1949.Bone marrow as an index of malnutrition in deer.
N.Y.State Conservationist.3(5):19-22.
Coles,E.H.1964.Veterinary clinical pathology.Saunders,Philadelphia.455 p.
Cook,H.W.,Rausch,R.A.&B.E.Baker 1970.Moose (Alces alces)milk.
Gross composition,fatty acid,&mineral constitution.Can.J.Zool.
48:213-215.
Cowan,I.MeT.et al.1950.The effect of forest succession upon the quantity
&upon thelnutritive values of woody plants used as food by moose.
Can.J.Res.28:249-271.
Daubenmire,R.1959.A canopy-cover method of vegetational analysis.
Nurthwest Science.33 (1):43-64.
Davidson,I.&J.B.Henry.1969.(ed.)Clinical Diagnosis.Saunders,Philadelphia.
1308 p.
Denniston,R.H.1956.Ecology,behavior &population dynamics of the
Wyoming or Rocky Mountain moose.Zoologica 41:105-108.
Glass,R.L.et al.1967.Comparative biochemical studies of milk.IV.
Constituent-ratty acids of milk fats.Compo Biochem.Physio1.22:415.
A compression method indicates fat content of elk (wapiti)
J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.32(4):747-751.
Harry,G.V.1957.Winter food habits of moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.
J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.21:53-57.
62
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Herin,R.A.1968.Physiological studies in the Rocky Mountain elk.J.
Mammal.49:762-764.
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand Teton
Natural History Assoc.Tech.Bulletin No.1.110p •
•1969.A note on the blood chemistry of the Shiras moose.------J.Mammal.50:4 p.
Kitts,W.D.et al.1956.Effect of age &plane of nutrition on the blood
chemistry of the Columbian black-tailed deer.(Odocoileus hemionus
columbianus.II.Packed-cell volume,sedimentation rate,&haemoglobin.
Canadian J.Zool.34:477-484.
Knowlton,F.F.1960.Food habits,movements &populations of moose in the
Gravelly Mountains,Montana.J.Wildl.Mgmt.24:162-170.
Knorre,E.P.1961.The results and perspectives of domestication of moose.
Papers of the Pechora-Ilch State Reservation:IX.263 p.
LeResche,R.E.1968.Spring-fall calf mortality in an Alaskan moose
population.J.Wildl.Mgmt.32:953-956.
Markgren,G.1969.Reproduction of moose in Sweden.Viltrevy.6:129-299.
McMillan,J.F.1950.Summer food habits of moose &effects of various factors
on food supply in Yellowstone National Park.Ph.D.Thesis,U.Michigan.
l70p.~.
Nadler,C.F.etal,1967.Electrophoresis of the serum proteins and
transferrinS-of Alces alces (moose),Rangifer tarandus (reindeer),
and Ovis dalli (Dall Sheep)from North America.Compo Biochem.Physio.
23:149-15-7-.-
Murphy,D.A.&J.H.Coates.1966.Effects of dietary protein on deer.
Trans.N.Amer.Wildl.Conf.31:129-138.
Neiland,K.A.1970.Disease ¶site studies.Annual Project Segment
Report.Vol.XI.Project W-17-2,Work Plan R.36 p.
Pimlott,R.H.1956.Ecology,behavior &population dynamics of the Wyoming
or Rocky Mountain moose.Zoologica 41:105-108.
Rausch,R.A.1959.Some aspects of the population dynamics of the
railbelt moose population,Alaska.M.S.Thesis,Univ.of Alaska.71 p.
Rausch,R.A.&R.H.Bishop.1968.Report on 1966-67 moose studies.Annual
Project Segment Report.Vol.VIII &VIX.W-15-R-3-3.Work plan K.263 p.
Rausch,R.A.&A.E.Brat1ie.1965.Assessments of moose calf production
&mortality in Southcentral Alaska.Proc.Western Assoc.State Game
&Fish Commissioners.45:11 p.
63
,[
____~~--_1963.Effect of nutrition on growth of white-tailed deer fawns.
Trans.N.Amer.Wildl.Conf.28:431-443.
Simpkin,D.W.1965.Reproduction &productivity of moose in northwestern
Ontario.J.Wild.Mgmt.29:740-750.
Spencer,D.L.&J.Hakala.1964.Moose and fire on the Kenai.Proc.Third
Ann.Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conf.Tallahassee,Florida
Seal,U.S.&A.W.Erickson.1969.Hematology,blood chemistry &protein
polymorphisms in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).
Compo Biochem.Physiol.30:695-713.
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APPROVED BY:
Verme,L.J.1962.Mortality of white-tailed deer fawns in relation to
nutrition.First Nat1.Deer Disease Symposium Proceedings.U.Georgia;
Athens.p 15-29.
PREPARED BY:
Robert E.LeResche
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Cooperators:
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
Alaska
Alaska Department of Fish and Game,U.S.Bureau
Sport Fisheries and Wildlife,Kenai NWR
Project No.:
Job No.:
W-17-Z
l.ZR
Project Title:
Job Title:
Moose Investigations
Moose Behavior
Period Covered:July 1,1969 through June 30,1970
SUMMARY
Two hundred sightings of 185 tagged adult moose on the Kenai Peninsula
revealed a migratory pattern of movement to highlands in late summer and
fall and return to lowlands in late winter.Pattern of recoveries suggests
a smaller older migratory population superimposed on a dense resident
population.
Significant seasonal changes in directional tendency of penned animals
suggest that seasonal movements are at least partially due to internal
stimuli.
Three tame yearling moose were acclimated to human presence and a method
was formulated to record their feeding habits bite-by-bite.
Behavior of 4 pregnant and 4 non-pregnant cows was observed during and
after the calving period.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
Summary
Background
Objectives
Procedures
Findings
Population Identity and Movements
"Migrational Tendency"of Enclosed Moose
Tame Moose Feeding Observations
Recommendations
Literature Cited
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BACKGROUND
Moose in the lower and more accessible areas of the Kenai National
Moose Range receive considerable hunting presSure and in late fall exhibit
a low proportion of bulls in the population,as shown by aerial sex and
age composition counts.Production of calves as observed at the same time
is some years not as high as anticipated.Although in much of the area
browse (mainly birch)is in abundance,substantial numbers of moose have
died in severe winters.Population estimates by personnel of the Kenai
National Moose Range suggest substantial numbers of moose,but concern has
been expressed regarding the numbers and welfare of the moose inhabiting
the "lowlands",especially in relation to hunting pressure.
The moose traditionally using the foothills and mountains but wintering
on the lowlands receive little hunting pressure and appear to be relatively more
abundant according to Kenai National Moose Range staff reports.These moose
characteristically exhibit a high ratio of bulls to cows and a low proportion
of calves.
However,the "lowland population",or those moose still in the flats
during late summer and fall,while having relatively more calves,exhibit a
low (usually less than 20:100)bull:cow ratio.Yet most cows appear to be
bred (pregnancy of less than 90%in winter has·never been recorded),and
numbers seem to remain fairly high year round.For example,when the gates
to the enclosures were closed,30 moose were enclosed in 2 square miles in
August.
The objective of this part of the job is to delineate the various
populations and sub-populations present and to learn migratory behavior of
those animals that do migrate.Goddard (1970)reported on a movement study
in Ontario similar to this one.His recoveries were few in relation to his
large number (318)of marked moose,but he did ·document movement between
summer and winter ranges (which had been done many times before,cf:Edwards
and Ritcey 1956,Kraft 1964 and Houston 1968)as well as suggesting there
was no net movement into heavily hunted areas.Bishop (1970)reported that
a Tanana Flats population identity study pursued by calf tagging suggested
that both migratory and resident individuals were present in those lowlands.
Didrickson (pers.comm)reported adult moose in the Matanuska Valley moved
nearly 60 miles on occasion.
Browse utilization studies (Et:Job 1.1)suffer from being confined
to studies of woody stems,where browsing leaves evidence that can be later
recorded..In order to study utilization of forbs,grasses,sedges and small
woody and perennial plants,tame moose were raised and observed.
Calf mortality is greatest within several weeks post-partum (LeResche 1968).
This mortality may be partially due to nutritional deficiencies.However,
immediate causes are often behavioral.Previous research (LeResche 1968)
depended upon chance observations of marked calves,rather than upon regular
assured observations.
1
OBJECTIVES
1.To identify populations and learn seasonal patterns of movements
by moose on the Kenai Peni~sula.
2.To det~rmine what species of browsed and gra2jed plants are taken in
what pattern by moose.
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3.To determine behaviorally-related causes of early calf mortality.[
PROCEDURES
1.Population Identity and Movement:Table 21 lists ~dult moose marked
in OGtober '1968 at Mystery Creek ("highlands"),in March 1970 (Bottenintnin
Lak~)and June 1970 (Moose River Flats)and August 1969 through June 1970
at the MRC--all lowlands.The moose represent 1)a ~utting group,2)a
late-winter concentration,3)a post-calving concentration,and 4)year-~ound
flatl~nd residents.Fig.+9 show$tagging a~eas relativ~to One another
and to physiogr~phic features.
Tab~e 22 lists reconnaissance-counting flights made by Alaska Department
of Fish and Game personnel.Several additional flights were made by R.Richey,
U.S.Bureau Sport F~sheries and Wildlife.
Moose were tagg~d using helicopters and succinylcholin~chlorid~.Groups
wer~separated by using different colo~ed ear-flags and/or collars during
each tagging effort.Ear flags were put in females'r~ght ears and males'
left earS.Large numbered pendants were placed on the animals tagged at
Moose River Flats in June 1970.Moose tagged at the Moose Research Center
were captured in fenceline traps.All observations of moose along fencelines
within MRC enclosures were recorded by date and location and tabulated to
reveal migrational tendency.
2.Tame Moose Feeding Study:Two male calves were obtained from Dr.Jack
Luick,Institute of Arctic Biology,in October 1969.A single female the
same age was given by the same so~rce in April 1970.Observations during
this report period were informal and directed at acclimating the calves to
close human presence and developing a recording method for fee~ing observations.
Twenty-four hours per week were spent recor~ing feeding habits,beginning
July 1,1970.
3.Cow Behavior Affecting Early Calf Mortality:Radio-tracking transmitters
were installed on 8 cows in April ~nd May.These were located daily through
May and early J~ne and Periodically at irregular intervals thereafter.A
graduate (M.S.)'stu4ent from the Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit
initiated a ~aternal-calf behavior study using these radip-collared mOOSe.
FINDINGS
1.Population Identity and Movements:Table 23 lists the 200 sightings of
marked moose made since October 1968.The majority of the sightings have been
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Males Females Sex(?)Total
Mystery-Dike Creek (highlands)
October 1968 10 18 0 28
Bottenintnin Lake(low1ands)
March 1970 16 52 1 69
Moose River F1ats(low1ands)
June 1970 26 43 2 71
Moose Res.Cntr.(low1ands)1 15 (1 F calf)17
-----
53 128 4 185
Color Codes
Male Female
Q
i~'Area Collar Ear Collar Ear Pendants
Mystery Creek Yellow Left Orange Red Right Orange None
Bottenintnin Lake Blue Left Orange White Right Orange None
Moose R.Flats Blue Left Green White Right Green Red A1-A100
MRC Blue Left Silver White Right Silver White 51-100
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"~~Table 22.Reconnaissance flights by APF&G searching for collared moose.
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Date
26 March 1970
31 March 1970
3 April 1970
6 April 1970
6 April 1970
6 April 1970
8 April 1970
14 April 1970
14 April 1970
22 April 1970
24 April 1970
27 April 1970
4 May 1970
4 May 1970
11 May 1970
11 May 1970
17 May 1970
1 June 1970
1 June 1970
Area
Skilak Lake N.of Kenai R.
Same
Same
Same
South of Kenai River to bench1and
North of Sterling Hwy.0-5 miles
Skilak Lake area
Moose R.Flats
Skilak Lk.area
Same
Moose R.flats,Hidden Lk.Skilak Lk.
Moose _R.flats to Sterling Hwy.
Mystery Creek
Skilak Lk.area
Moose R.flats;upper Funny R.
Skilak Lk.area
Tustumena-Ski1ak bench1and +Skilak area
Moose River flats
Skilak Lk.area
Collared
Moose
Located*
12 BL
10 BL
6 BL
4 BL
o
3 BL;1 MRC
4 BL
1 MRC
7 BL
6 BL
o
o
o
6 BL
o
6 BL
o
1 MC
1 BL
-0
*Code:Tagged at Mystery Creek:MC
Tagged at Bottenintnin Lake:BL
Tagged at Moose River Flats:MRF
Tagged at Moose Research Center:MRC
5
Table 23.Number of sightings of adult moose tagged on the Kenai Peninsula.
Sightings through 30 June 1970.
Tagging Location (date)Females Males
Mystery Creek !/68 70 16
Bottenintnin Lake 111/70 63 9
Moose Research Center IX/69-VI/70 12 3
Moose River Flats VI/70 22 5
---
167 33
6
Total
86
72
15
27
200
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made by R.Richey (USFWS)throughout the period and by ADF&G biologists since
March 1970,when weekly flights were initiated.To date,no final conclusions
are warranted since major tagging occurred only near the end of the reporting
period.However,some tentative observations are in order,using information
from Mystery Creek animals and clues from recent tagging observations.
Table 24 lists general locations of the 83 sightings of Mystery Creek moose
by month:October,1968 through June,1970.Observations are biased some-
what by the irregularity of searching effort before 1970,but the seasonal
migration pattern (cf:Fig.20)is nonetheless discernable.Generally,
August through December is spent in the highlands and January through July in
the Moose River Flats or along the Sterling Highway (nb:that the unshaded area
in the figure is probably disproportinately large because of the comparatively
great observer-time along the highway).
Within this pattern,certain individuals have rigid personal routes of
migration.One large bull,tagged at Mystery Creek,was observed 5 times in
May-June,1969 along the east shore of Moose Lake (16 miles N.W.).In August
and October 1969,the same bull (identified by antler form)was t~ice seen
at the original tagging site.The next May and early June,he was seen twice
at Moose Lake,twice just south of the MRC (5 miles S.W.Moose Lake),and
once,in late June,midway between th~MRC and the original tagging site.
Few if any moose remain in the Mystery Creek and similar highlands in late
winter and few reappear until late July in most years.However,the existence
of a substantial resident (non-migratory)population in the Moose River Flats -
1947 burn area -is becoming apparent.In August 1969,the enclosing of
Pens 3 and 4 at the MRC confined a minimum of 30 animals in the 2 square miles.
Of 15 sightings between September 1969 and June 1970 of MRC-tagged individuals,
(moose tagged in fenceline traps outside the MRC enclosures)all but 3 have
been within one mile of the pens.(Two cows were sighted in April 13 miles
West and one bull in November 9 miles South.)A decrease in density in the
calving and burn areas is apparent in July and August,but high densities of
moose do remain.
Maximum movements of Mystery Creek-tagged animals are by a female seen
23.5 miles N.W.of the site 13 months after tagging,and by several females
seen near the Sterling Highway as far east as Kenai and Summit Lakes (22
miles distant).·.
!he distinction (if any)between moose oeen in the Moose Riv~r calving
flats in May and June and those concentrated just north of Skilak Lake in
February -mid May (they disappear in large part by late May)is an important and
still unsolved problem.As early as April,a few animals (cf:3 on 6 April)
tagged at Skilak were observed to have moved north toward areas of calving
concentration.Yet,age composition of the two groups at tagging (Fig.21)
is significantly (P).Ol,X2=28.455,n =13)different.Perhaps the dilution
of a large resident population by a smaller migratory and older population is
insufficient to appreciably alter the age structure of the former.
2."Migrational Tendency"of Enclosed Moose:Results of directional
analyses of moose observations along fencelines within the MRC are given
in Fig.22.That confined animals differ significantly (X 2 testing)by
7
Table 24.General areas of 83 sightings oJ moose tagged in Mystery Creek highlands,by month,October 1968-June 1970.
Mystery Creek Highlands Sterling Highway East of Mystery Creek Moose River Flats
Females Males Females Males Females Males
January 6 1 1
February 7 3
March 1 4 1 1
April 6
May 2 2 3
June 1 10 5 7
C1J
July 5
August 1 1
September 1
October 3 1
November 1 .2 1 1
December 2 1 2
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highlands (heavy crosshatch),along highway East of Mystery Creek (unshaded),
and on Moose River Flats (large squares and dots).
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Center enclosure fences.June 1969-June 1970.
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season in directional tendency suggests that seasonal movements in moose
are indeed "migratory"in the true sense:ie,internally triggered rather
than resulting entirely from food/snow conditions.
The result~nt directions (Fig.22)agree with the Concept of a
population moving toward highland areas in July-October (mainly,S.E.from
the MRC)and back to flatland calving areas (more northerly from wintering
areas)in March and April.The easterly trend in the figure is more
apparent than real,for east vs west differences are statistically insignificant
P~.lO)from November through April.
3.Tame Moose Feeding Observations:Formal observations were not begun
during this reporting period.IBM optical page reader sheets were designed.
The sheets record:for each plant eaten -1)species 2)hedged class 3)total
height and 4)basal diameter--for each bite taken -1)number of leaves or
size of twig taken 2)diameter of stem browsed 3)browse condition of individual
leader and 4)height above ground of individual leader.In addition,the
sheets record activity patterns (they are timed and non-feeding periods are
included)and spatial distribution of browsing (they record changing plant-
plant and leader-leader).Regularly scheduled observations began July 1,1970.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Reconnaissance flights throughout Subunit l5A should be continued
weekly to derive maximum information from tagged animals.More moose
should be tagged in late winter concentration areas near the Sterling
Highway to adequatt!.ly define caJ,.vlng and rutting areas of these animals.
Moose should be tagged in fall in Skilak-Tustumena benchland and
Caribou Hills areas to determine wintering areas of these trophy-class
populations.
In the interim,seasons should be set with the following probabilities
in mind:
1.Late sununer and fall "highland"popl,llations are tikely older
animals,fewer in number than the substantial lowland resident populations.
2.Populations are predictable in their movements:therefore,
harvest of various groups can be controlled by properly timed field
announcement hunts.
3.Even though migratory populations may be adequately harvested
(on a maximum sustained yield basis)local resident populations in the 1947
burn remain essentially unharvested with present access.
PUBLICATIONS
Results will be published when work is complete enough to warrant it.
12
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LITERATURE CITED
Bishop,R.H.1970.Changes in composition of the Tanana Valley
moose herd.Paper presented Vlth.Annual N.A.Moose Meeting,
Kam1oops,B.C.
Edwards,R.Y.&R.W.Ritcey.1956.rhe migrations of a moose
herd.J.Mammal.37:486-494.
Goddard,J.1970.Movements of moose in a heavily hunted area of
Ontario.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.34:439-445
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand
Teton Natural History Assoc.Tech.Bulletin No.1.110 p.
Kraft,A.1964.Management of moose in a Norwegian forest.Norwegian
State Game Research Inst.Series 2:No.16.61 p.
LeResc~e,R.E.1968.Spring-fall calf mortality in an Alaska moose
population.J.Wi1d1.Mgmt.32:953-956.
~
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PREPARED BY:
Robert E.LeResche
Regional Biologist
13
APPROVED BY:
State:
Cooperators:
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
Alaska
Alaska Department of Fish and Game!U.S.Bureau of Sport
Fisheries and Wildlife,Kenai NWR
Proj ect No.:W-17-2 Proj ect Title:Moose Investigations
Job No.:1.3R Job Title:Development and Testing of New
Techniques
Period Covered:July 1,1969 through June 30,1970
SUMMARY
Inexperienced observers flying intensive aerial surveys observed a
mean of 19 percent and 44 percent of enclosed moose in poor and good
(respectively)counting conditions.Experienced observers saw 40 percent
and 61 percent in poor and good conditions.Significant differences in
proportions of moose observed occurred between experienced and inexperienced
observers in both good and poor conditions and between good and poor
conditions with both experienced and inexperienced observers.
A pellet-count technique using 8 x 24-foot ~ermanent browse-sampling
plots appears feasible after estimating N from s derived by counting and
clearing the plots.
A moose trap was designed and 11 were constructed.Overall trap
success was 26 percent.
M-99 Etorphine and M 50-50 Diprenorphine were found to be excellent drugs
for immobilizing moose.Twenty-four moose were handled using them,and 170
with 'Anectine'.
Radio-tracking collars allowed easy location of moose within the
MRC enclosures.
Workers within pens containing 46 moose saw a mean of one moose each
14.9 hours.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
Summary
Background
Objectives
Procedures
Findings
;
i
1
2
2
3
C',CONTENTS (Cant.)
PAGE NO.
Aerial Census Evaluation
Pellet-count Census Technique
Trapping
Immobilizing Drugs
Telemetric Tracking
Recommendations
Literature Cited
BACKGROUND
3
3
8
8
11
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Moose research and management require methods of estimating
numbers and of handling,marking and following animals.These techniques
necessarily vary with species and location of the management/research
problem.The Moose Research Center,with known numbers of confined
animals,provides a unique test-ground for numbers-related techniques and
for methods and equipment whose effectiveness can only be estimated by
relocation of animals.
Aerial censusing at present is the only practical method of estimating
moose numbers in most of Alaska (cf:Rausch &Brat1ie 1965,Rausch &Bishop
1968,Bishop 1969),but the extent to which this method underestimates numbers
has been a major problem when absolute numbers are sought.Siniff &Skoog
(1964)developed a random stratified,quadrat sampllng method,but even in
intensively counted quadrats,some animals were missed.The presence of 4
one-square-mile pens with known numbers of moose provided an opportunity to
test the accuracy of aerial censusing and to test the value of previous
experience'in aerial counting.
Pellet-count census techniques have been used for various species of big
game animals since the 1930's (cf:Bennett et al 1940;Rasmussen &Dovan 1943),
Several studies have been_done with penned ungulates (summary in Neff 1968).
The known numbers of animals enclosed in the MRC provided opportunity to test
this population-estimation technique for moose.
Need to capture and recapture moose for
sampling necessitated the design of a trap.
designs of traps for various game animals.
marking and serial blood
Taber &Cowan (1969)have reviewed
E~~
Immobilization of big-game animals by drugs has progressed rapidly in a
very few years,with different drugs indicated for different species (cf:
Harthoorn 1965,Houston 1969).An ideal immobilizing drug should have 1)
short induction time,2)wide tolerance range,3)rapid reversibility,
1
4)no lasting or cumulative side-effects.To find such a drug for a given
animal,the logical approach is to try agents as they become available,
preferably on recoverable animals.
Migration and other behavioral studies of big game animals may be
accomplished by marking many animals and searching for same~Recently,
radio-tracking devices have come into vogue for continuous location of
animals (cf:Slater 1963 for one review).In programs requiring regular
relocation of moose for sampling blood or other specimens,radio tracking
gear is invaluable to insure timely recapture.
OBJECTIVES
To develop and/or test techniques for:aerial censusing,pellet-count
censusing,trapping,immobilizing,radio-tracking and marking of moose.
PROCEDURES
On January 26 -February 4,1970,three helicopter counts and 19
counts by PA18-lS0 supercubs were made of the 4 MRC pens.Observers were
instructed to direct pilots how to fly the survey and were allowed 15
minutes to count each square mile.Conditions were good-excellent,with
snow cover at least adequate for 15 counts,and poor for 4.
Seven hundred twenty-eight permanent 8'x 24'browse-utilization
plots were used as pellet-count plots.Fecal groups in each plot were
classified as "winter"(pellets)or "summer"(non-pelletized),counted and
cleared from the plot.Data analysis was by habitat type and an estimate
was made of required sampling intensity.Pellet groups in two pens were
separated into "new"(the preceding winter)and "old"by guess,and endurance
of pellet groups was estimated from these data.A habitat use index was
calculated from numbers of pellet-groups.
A successful trap was designed and eleven were completed during the
report period.Ninety~five moose were handled as a result of 370 trap
sets.
M-99 Etorphine and MSO-SO Diprenorphine were tested on 24 trapped
animals during the period.An additional 170 moose were immobilized by
succinylcholine chloride.
Radio transmitters in the 30 mhz range were tested on 10 moose during
the report period.
Canvas-webbing collars,pendants,Ritchey ear-tags and "jumbo roto
tags"were tested for permanence,legibility and ease of installation on
193 moose.Metal ear-piercing "hasco"tags and "saflag"streamers
continued to be used.
Personnel reading browse plots in April 1970 were instructed to
watch for moose in the 4 one-square-mile enclosures,where 46 moose were
enclosed.One man spent 22 hours mock hunting in the same area.Numbers
of moose seen were recorded as an indicator of moose observability.
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FINDINGS
Aerial census evaluation:Tables 25 and 25A summarize proportions of
moose seen by aerial counters in the 4 one-square-mile pens.Using PA-18-l50
supercubs,four experienced observers observed 61 percent of the 49 enclosed
moose;whereas 11 inexperienced observers saw only 44 percent (difference
significnant P<.01).Three experienced observers counting under poor conditions
(insufficient snow cover)located 40 percent of the moose flown over (different
significantly P~.Ol from experienced observers/good conditions).An in-
experienced observer flying in poor conditions saw only 9 of 48 (19 percent)
moose.
Thus,under good conditions experienced observers locate only 60 percent
of moose flown over,even when spending much more time than is usually the
case in aerial surveys.Considering that the pilot participates in standard
surveys,efficiency might be improved,yet almost never is one square mile
circled for fifteen minutes.
Pens varied significantly (P~.01)in percent moose seen.Some variation
is possibly due to vegetation and topography;but,in addition,in the pen
(No.1)with fewest moose enclosed,observers saw the greatest percentage
of animals and in the pen (No.4)with most enclosed,they saw the least,
proportionately.
The results suggest that strict comparison of aerial count results
year-to-year or place-to-place when any variables in observers,conditions,
topography,or moose densities exist is dangerous at best.
Pellet-count census technique:Table 26 summarizes data for.all fecal
groups cleared from the 728 plots.It also estimates required N to achieve
results within a 20%selected risk of error (see Neff 1968).The required
N,less than 200 per square mile in all cases,is within reason,indicating that
the technique is feasible.However,the final proof requires reading of the
plots next spring to determine new groups deposited during the year and to
correlate this with the number of moose in individual pens.Correlation
with numbers of moose was not attempted with uncleared plots.
Pellet group permanence,as estimated from proportion of "new"groups
in Pens 1 and 2 was 0.328.Thus approximately one third of groups present
were deposited the preceding year,and,if groups disappear at a con~tant
rate,one third disappear each year.
Moose defecation rate was estimated by Edwards (cf:Neff,1968)as
l3.0/day.Using our estimated proportion of new groups in Pens 1 and 2,
expanding by total groups/moose in all four pens and using a 210 day "winter"
estimator,our data estimate 10.3 groups/moose/day.'
Table 27 summarizes habitat use as estimated from numbers of pellet
groups and "summer"fecal piles in the seven habitat types.Indices are
based upon assigning a value of 1.00 .to the habitat type with most pellet
groups per plot (medium-birch in each case).Habitat use estimated from
defecation agrees generally with use for feeding,estimated from twig
utilization.Spruce-birch,a habitat type useful for concealment,is the
3
Table 25:Numbers and proportions of moose seen in four one-square-mi1e enclosures by nine experienced and
twelve inexperienced observers flying fifteen minutes/square mile in PA-18-150 aircraft.
January-February 1970.
Observer Category Conditions Pen (n)Total
I (7)II (12)III (12)IV (18-17)(n =49-48)
Pilot Good 7 (1.00)--7 (.58)10 (.56)24 (.65)
Pilot Good 7 (1.00)9 (.75)10 (.83)13 (.72)39'(.80)
Experienced Good 4 (.51)5 (.42)8 (.67)7 (.39)24 (.49)
Experienced Good 6 (.86)7 (.58)8 (.67)9 (.50)30 (.61)
Experienced Good 7 (1.00)8 (.67)10 (.83)12 (.67)37 (.76)
Experienced Good 6 (.86)7 (.58)6 (.50)10 (.56)29 (.59)
~
Experienced Poor 4 (.57)3 (.25)6 (.50)8 (.47)21 (.44)
Experienced Poor o (.00)6 (.50)6 (.50)5 (.30)17 (.35)
Experienced Poor 5 (.71)3 (.25)4 (.33)7 (.41)19 (.39)
Inexperienced Good 4 (.57)5 (.42)4 (.33)6 (.33)19 (.39)
Inexperienced Good 4 (.57)5 (.42)4 (.33)4 (.22)17 (.35)
Inexperienced Good o (.00)4 (.33)6 (.50)3 (.17)13 (.27)
Inexperienced Good 5 (.71)4 (.33)7 (.58)12 (.67)28 (.57)
Inexperienced "Good 2 (.29)10 (.83)4 (.33)8 (.44)24 (.49)
Inexperienced Good 5 (.71)7 (.58)5 (.42)10 (.56)27 (.55)
Inexperienced Good 6 (.86)4 (.33)4 (.33)5 (.30)19 (.39)
Inexperienced Good 3 (.43)4 (.33)6 (.50)6 (.33)19 (.39)
Inexperienced Good 4 (.57)3 (.25)8 (.67)5 (.30)20 (.41)
Inexperienced Good 4 (.57)7 (.58)5 (.42)6 (.33)22 (.45)
Inexperienced Good 7 (1.00)8 (.67)6 (.50)9 (.50)30 (.61)
Inexperienced Poor 1 (.14)3 (.25).3 (.25)2 (.12)9 (.19)
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Table 25A:Summary of mean proportions of moose observed in four one-s.quare mile enclosures by observer,weather
conditions and aircraft.January-February 1970.(Each square-mile searched fifteen minutes.)
Observer (n)
Pilots (2)
Experienced (4).
Experienced (3)
Conditions
Good
Good
Poor
Aircraft
PA 18-150
Supercub
PA 18-150
Supercub
PA 18-150
Supercub
I (7)
1.00
.82
.43
Pen (n)
II (12)
.75
.56
.33
III (12)
.71
.67
.44
IV (18)
.64
.53
.39
Total (n)
.73 (49)
.61 (49)
.40 (48)
In Inexperienced (11)Good PA 18-150
Supercub
.57 .46 .45 .37 .44 (49)
Inexperienced (1)
Experienced*(3)
* 2 Observers
Poor
Good
PA 18-150
Supercub
BG 4A
Helicopter
.14
.93
.25
.78
.25
.58
.12
.80
.19 (48)
.75 (48)
Table 26.Pellet groups removed from 728 - 8 x 24 foot plots randomly selected by habitat type.Kenai Moose Research
Center.April,1970.N 20%is the estimated number of plots needed to sample for a 20%risk of error.
Birch Spruce Mature Hardwoods All N
20%
Dense Medium Thin Spruce-Birch Spruce Dense Thin
Pen 1
n 22 25 25 24 20 19 21 157
x .409 1.00 0.84 0.92 0.65 0.21 0.43 0.67 196
s .651 1.44 1.08 0.95 0.73 0.52 0.58 0.97
Pen 2
0\n 32 31 31 22 30 21 26 191
x 0.53 0.68 0.39 0.23 0.27 0.33 0.15 0.39 152
s 0.83 1.06 0.75 0.60 0.51 0.47 0.46 0.74
Pen 3
n 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 175
x 1.08 0.88 -0.48 0.60 0.72 0.32 0.52 0.66 153
s 0.89 0.91 0.64 0.63 0.96 0.55 0.80 0.82
Pen 4
n 25 26 19 24 26 24 31 175
x 1.00 2.15 0.89-1.71 0.62 0.38 0.74 1.09 162
s 1.10 2.09 1.45 1.81 0.84 0.63 0.98 1.52
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pellet-count data.Kenai Moose Research Center,April 1970
Winter Summer All Year
Medium Birch 1.00 1.00 1.00
Dense Birch .73 .44 .65
Spruce-Birch .68 .62 .67
Thin Birch .54 .37 .50
Spruce .40 .56 .44
Mature Hwds.Thin .39 .41 .40
Mature Hwds.Dense .28 .06 .23
7
only type elevated in defecation use above feeding use.Dense-and thin-birch
types both decrease in usage (relative to medium birch)during summer,
whereas use of spruce type (where low shrubbyplants--eg:B.nana--are
abundant)increases.-----
Trapping:The trap designed was a pen,70-100 feet long and 12
feet wide,with one long side part of a fenceline.Swinging gates (8'x 12')
were hung from top hinges at each end and tripped to swing out by a
trigger-string,stretched across the alley-like runway.Gates fall by
gravity and are held in a vertical position after tripping by shock-
cord softened lines.The trapped moose is immobilized by Cap-chur gun.
Trap success varied by season (peaks occurred in June-July and
September-October,lowest success in January-March)and by trap (range:18-57
trips/lOa trap-nights).Table 28 summarizes success for the ten traps
used most extensively during the period.Strengthening of stop cords and
refining of the trigger mechanism has reduced escapes and trap failures
the past month.Fig.23 is a stylized diagram of the trap-trigger
arrangement.
Immobilizing drugs:M99 Etorphine and M50-50 Diprenorphine were
established as drugs-of-choice for handling moose within the MRC enclosure.
M 99 was preferable to "Anectine"for its:1)more rapid induction
time (7.5 min.±3.4 S.D.for M99 vs 12.5 min.±8.4 S.D.for Anectine),
2)greater predictability of induction (cf:above SD's),3)greater
range of safe dosage sufficient to immobilize (3-10 mg/moose for M99;or 230%
minimum vs 20-23 mg/moose Anectine,or 20%minimum),4)rapid reversability
(2.5 min.±3.2 S.D.VB no reversibility -but recovery times of 37 minutes
±12 S.D.-for Anectine),5)greater control of r~sponse to M99 (animals
could be drugged just enough to be halter-led from place to place and did
not suffer from complete collapse and danger of regurgitant drowning as
did Anectine-immobilized moose).(Above values are based on N=24 for M99
and n=27 for Anectine--all cases in which response of a captive animal
was watched closely and no external factors interfered.)
M99 dosage varied by season.A pregnant cow (wt.=600 pounds)was killed
by 6 mg M99 on May 19,1970,after being successfully immobilized by 10 mg
on October 29,1969.Another adult female was killed October 23,1969 by
over-dose of the antagonist (MSO-50).The antidote was given at 3/1
proportion to MYY rather than the suggested 2/1.
Both these deaths were due to experimentation.With these drugs,
3-4 mg.always produced sufficient effects to approach the animal;the
only advantage of increased dosage being more rapid immobilization.
There are several drawbacks to M99 and M50-50 for general use.The
user must have a federal narcotics tax stamp.The drugs are not yet
available over-the-counter,but must be procured from American Cyanamid Co.
on an investigational basis.Such procuring often takes 6-10 weeks.They
are dangerous for human handling,as small amounts are toxic.Meat
of animals injected with the drugs has not been cleared for human consumption.
8
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Table 28.Trap effectiveness -Kenai Moose Research Center -June 1969 -May 1970
Trap No.No.Sets Trips/Set No.Captured Moose/Set Escape/Set Trap Failure/Set
and Handled
1-1 46 .57 16 .35 .07 .13
10-1 39 .23 7 .18 .03 .03
10-3 11 .45 3 .27 .18 .18
2-1 52 .44 16 .31 .08 .04
2-2 55 .33 13 .24 .02 .05
3-1 31 .43 8 .26 .13 .03
\0
3-2 14 .36 2 .14 .07 .07
4-1 45 .51 15 .33 .07 .04
4-2 39 .18 3 .08 .05 0
40-2 38 .47 12 .32 .16 .05
All Traps 370 .40 95 .26 .08 .05
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Telemetric tracking:Radio collars and a hand-held receiver were
successful in locating at will ten moose within the pens.Battery life was
at least one year for one collar ~nd others are still operational after
two months.One transmitter failed due to improper tuning.The present
system is considered adequate for '~e11ing"mOose within the pens,but has
been inadequately tested for range of more than one mile.
Miscellaneous:Ritchey large ear-tags,2"x 2"numbered rubber
flaps,were found ideal for legibility and retention (none lost in 11
months)when installed in mooses'ears.Numbers or letter-number
combinations are legible at 200 yards with a spotting 'scope.
Jumbo Rototags showed good retention (none lost in 11 months)but
were more difficult to read,even when installed in color-coded series
of three.
Table 29 shows moose observed by workers known to be within one
mile of 7-16 moose.Mean number of ho~rs in the field per moose seen
was nearly 15.Even.the ,ihunter"saw but 2 moose away from the ·fence1ine
(an unnatural barrier),for a more realistic estimate of ~or 11 hours/moose.
2
RECOMMENDATIONS
Aerial censuses should be regarded as only indicative of trends
(and even then,only under very similar conditions)and should never
be construed to represent anything approaching absolute numbers.
Individual observers should be screened carefully and should have as
much experience as possible before their data is considered strictly
comparable to others.Counting conditions should be good-excellent
before counts are made.
Means of censusing and estimating composition of moose populations
other than from the air should be sought and tested.
Plots cleared of pellet groups this year should be re-read in
April 1971 to determine the ultimate validity of this technique for
moose.
One or two moose traps should be constructed along natural barriers
other tilan MRC fence lines to test their practicality for marking-movement
studies.
M-99 should be the drug of choice when immobilizing animals not
to be consumed.An effort should be made to clear treated animals for
consumption so the drug may be used on hunted populations.
Radio-tracking collars should be tested on unenclosed moose.
PUBLICATIONS
Aerial census data will be prepared for both scientific and popular
publication.
11
Table 29.Moose seen within four one-square-mi1e enclosures by 8 observers during 312 hours present
within the enclosures.Kenai Moose ResearcnCenter:April 1970.(46 moose were enclosed
at the time)."I"was mock-hunting moose only in likely places and saw 13 of the 15 moose
along fence1ines.
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Results of all immobilizations of moose by Alaska Department of Fish
and Game will be incorporated into a review of techniques for immobilizing
moose.Trap design will be included in a general paper on the Moose Research
Center.
LITERATURE CITED
Bennett,L.J.et ale 1940.A study of deer populations by use of pellet-group
counts.~Wild1.Mgmt.4:398-403.
Bishop,R.H.1969.Moose report.Annual Project Segment Report.Vol.X.
W-15-R-3.Work plan K.152 p.
Evans,C.D.;Troyer,W.A.&C.J.Lensink.1966.Aerial census of moose by
qJadrat sampling units.J.Wildl.Mgmt.30:767-776.
Harthorn,A.M.1965.Application of pharmacological &physiological priciples
in restraint of wild animals.Wild1.Monographs 14:78 p.
Houston,D.B.1969.Immobilization of the Shiras moose.J.Wildl.Mgmt.
33:534-537.
Neff,D.J.1968.
distribution:
The pellet-group technique for big game trend,census &
a review.J.Wildl.Mgmt.32:597-614.
~\
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Rasmussen,D.I.&E.R.Dorman.1943.Census methods &their application
in the management of mule deer.Trans.N.Am.Wildl.Conf.8:369-379.
Rausch,R.A.&R.R.Bishop.1968.
Annual Project Segment Report.
263 p.
Report on 1966-67 moose studies.
Vol.VIII &VIX.W-15-R 2-3.Work Plan K.
Rausch,R.A.&A.E.Bratlie.1965.Assessments of moose calf production &
mortality in Southcentral Alaska.Ann.Conf.W.Assoc.State Game &Fish
Comm.45:llp.
Slater,L.1963.(ed.)Bio telemetry.Pergamon,London.369 p.
Siniff,D.B.and R.O.Skoog.1964.Aerial censusing of caribou using random
stratified sampling.J.Wildl.Mgmt.28:391-401.
Taber,R.D.,&Cowan I.MeT.1969.Capturing &marking wild animals.
In:Wildlife Management Techniques.ed:Giles,R.The Wildlife
Society.p 277-317.
PREPARED BY:APPROVED BY:
[~.
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Robert E.LeResche
Regional Biologist
13
c;:
Game