HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPA916Volume XIV
Project Progress Report
Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration
Project \-1-17-5,Jobs 1.lR,1.2R,1.6R and 1.7R
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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ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library &Information Service
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ST U.D I ES
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OF FISH
ALASKA
(Printed December,1973)
HABIT
ALASKA DEP
STATE OF ALASKA
William A.Egan,Governor
DEPARTHENT OF FISH AND GAME
James W,Brooks,Commissioner
DIVISION OF GAME
Donald McKnight,Research Chief
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many individuals from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and
the United States Fish and Wildlife Service were involved in projects
at the Kenai Moose Research Center.
R.Rausch,K.Schneider and R.LeResche provided leadership
assistance and were instrumental in accomplishing a smooth transition
during personnel changes.
Laboratory personnel in Anchorage and Fairbanks,including C.Lucier,
K.Neiland,D.Harkness,D.Calkins and C.Nielsen,provided laboratory
support necessary to accomplish the objectives.
P.LeRoux and J.Davis were involved and assisted in many aspects
of MRC projects.
All personnel assigned to the Kenai National Moose Range provided
support in their particular realm of activity to facilitate the MRC
operation.
J.Seal,Alaska Department of Administration,Computer Services
Division,was most helpful with computer programming and interpretation.
A special thanks to J.Oldenmeyer who was always willing to assist
us both physically and mentally.
Our sincere thanks to every group and individual above and to all the
unmentioned who were involved in MRC projects.
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library &Information Service~
Anchcrage,lJaska
State:Alaska
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
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Cooperators:Albert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Project No.:W-17-5 Project Title:Moose Investigations
Job No.:1.1R .Tob Title:Moose Productivity and
Physiology
Period Covered:July 1,1972 through June 30,1973
SUMMARY
Productivity of moose lvas determined for populations in four
one-square-mile pens at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC).Natality
for this report period (c.3.lves born in spring,1973)was equivalent
to 41.7 calves per 100 cows~In the spring of 1972 an equivalent of
34.4 calves per 100 cows was produced.There was no yearling recruitment
in 1972 or 1973 due to total loss of calf crops in each preceding winter.
The adult population declined by 8.9 percent,not considering experimental
manipulation.The overall decline in the total population within the pens
was the result of mortality in all segments of the population (calves,
yearlings,and adults).Calf mortality was attributed primarily to time of
occurrence ar-d depth of snow with corresponding lowered availability of food.
All calves appeared to have ultimately died from malnutrition.Causes of
adult mortalities were variable and complex in nature.
Of 21 adult female penned moose examined from January through April,
62 percent were pregnant.Thirty-four moose examined outside the enclosures
had a pregnancy rate of 76.5 percent.
Whole body weights from 34 moose and measurements from 356 moose were
obtained during this report period.The data will be combined with previously
obtained data and statistically analyzed.Weight losses of moose during
the winter within the pens appeared greater than those of moose outside the
pens (8 to 15 percent versus 3 percent).The mean weight of eight enclosed
adult female moose weighed from January through April was 316 kg.(697 pounds)
and of 13 outside moose during this same period was 381 kg.(838 pounds).
Whole blood and serum samples were collected from 356 moose during this
report period.Results of the blood chemistry and electrophoretic patterns
were stored and sorted by computer on the bases of age class,sex,month
sampled,reproductive status,location and drug used for immobilizations.
These classifications diluted the sample size and only age and sex classifications
provided adequate sample sizes.Analyses of blood physiologic values will be
reported with combined samples at a later date.
Rectal temperature proved to be the most useful indicator of excitability
in moose.Five rectal temperature classes were established so that
samples of moose could be equitably compared without the influence of
variable degrees of excitability of the animal at the time the samples
were drawn.Excitability classes,based on subjective evaluation of
the moose at time of handling,were significantly correlated (r =.796)
with rectal temperature,indicating the usefulness of this evaluation.
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The base line rectal temperature taken from 109 Class 1 (not
excited)and Class 2 (slightly excited)moose was 38.7 C (S.D.=0.42).
The mean heart rate from 218 moose from all excitability classes was
85.4 beats per minute (SD =23.53)and the mean respiratory rate from
217 moose from all excitability classes was 31.6 breaths per minute
(SD =19.11).
There was no significant correlation between the subjective condition
classification of 200 moose and selected blood physiologic values.The
basis for this could be either an invalid condition classification or
the inability of blood values to reflect condition.Until one or more
physiologic parameters can be found that consistently reflect condition
changes,no conclusion can be made.
Hair samples from 316 moose were analyzed by atomic absorption for
four macro elements (calcium,magnesium,potassium and sodium)and six
trace elements (cadmium,copper,iron,lead,manganese and zinc).Seasonal
fluctuations with peaks in the fall were noted for all elements except
iron.Some deficiencies were noted when comparing levels to other domestic
animal "normals".Hair values fluctuated in general with seasonal condition
changes in the moose.Hair and blood values showed no significant correlation.
Bone marrow fat values obtained from moose collected on the Kenai
Peninsula and at the Moose Research Center varied with the source and time
of collection.There was a marked difference between road-killed and winter-
killed calves.Adult moose from the Moose Research Center had lower marrow
fat percentages than moose from outside the pens and on other parts of the
Kenai Peninsula.Marrow fat values of winter-killed moose were generally below
10 percent.
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CONTENTS
Summary . . . . . . .
Background.• • • • •
Objectives ••
Procedures.
Kenai Moose Research Center Facility ••
Productivity and Mortality •••
Weights and Measurements.•
Physiology-Blood and Hair
Excitability Evaluation •
Condition Evaluation.• • • • • • •
Findings.. • • • . • • • • •
Productivity and Mortality •••••
Weights and Measurements.. • • • • • •
Blood Values •••••••.•••
Excitability Stress,Body Temperature and Blood Values.
Base Line Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate • • •
Hair.. . . . . . .
Correlation of Hair and Blood Values ••••••
Condition Class • • • • •
Bone Marrow . . • • • • . • • • . . • • • . .
Disease and Parasites • • • • • • •
Recommendations • • • • . . • • • •
Literature Cited.• • • • • •
BACKGROUND
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The basis for investigations of moose (AZces aZces)productivity and physiology
initiated at the Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC)was discussed by LeResche
(1970)and LeResche and Davis (1971).These studies were continued during
the past reporting period with some change in emphasis based upon the
need to further standardize procedures to more efficiently utilize the
moose as the most effective indicator of conditions in its dynamic environment.
Background material contained in previous reports will not be repeated.The
following background information provides additional information relative
to active projects and changes in emphasis.
The ultimate response of a population to its environment is its
reproductive success or failure.This is the population's response to
all forces acting upon it.Many factors (primarily density-dependent)
have been theorized as principle population regulating mechanisms.Some of
these are:inter-specific and intra-specific competition (Elton,1949),
intra-specific competition (Nicholson,1954),climate (Andrewartha and Birch,
1954),crowding (Errington,1946),predation (Mech,1966),disease
(Anderson,1972),genetics (Chitty,1960),behavior-physiology (Christian
and Davis,1964),behavior (Wynne-Edwards,1965),territoriality (Brown,
1969),and food (Lack,1954).Under the conditions studied,each of these
theories applies.The lesson from the diversity of thought on this
problem exemplifies the potential of sampling from the ultimate benefactor
or victim of these forces (the animal itself -the indicator).
Since physiology is the study of function of an animal,it was essential
that physiologic parameters of the moose be established.Past studies
at the MRC have provided physiologic parameters from 520 moose.LeResche
et al.(1973)reviewed the blood chemistry of moose relative to the problems,
challenges and status of present knowledge.
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Emphasis on present physiologic studies at the MRC is directed to blood
value interpretive problems that are often confounded by excitability and
stress at capture and during handling (Franzmann,1972;Franzmann and Thorne,
1970;LeResche and Davis,1971;LeResche et al~,1973;Seal et al.,1973;
Gartner et al.,1969;and Gartner et al.,1965).Some physiologic parameters
may be altered by handling,while others may not be.It is imperative to
recognize these (Geraci and Medway,1973).To minimize these effects in
interpreting blood chemistry values and facilitate excitability classification
for a species it is necessary to establish rectal temperature classes
at the time of handling (Franzmann and Herbert,1971).Heart rate (Smith and
Hamlin,1970)and respiratory rate (Tenney,1970)are affected by excitability
states and should be evaluated to facilitate excitability classification.A
subjective classification of activity,prior to immobilization and handling,
should be used to establish excitability classes (Franzmann,1972).
The evaluation and classification of excitability stress in animals
may be approached through analysis of intra-cellular enzymes,such as serum
glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (S GOT)and serum creatanine phosphokinase
(S C P K),whose presence in the circulatory system indicates tissue destruction
of various degrees (Cardinet,1971).Tissue breakdown and subsequent release
of these enzymes have been examined in pathologic conditions in domestic
animals (Blinko and Dye,1958;Whanger et al.,1969).The influence of
excitability on S.G.O.T.values from handling bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis)
was demonstrated,but no correlation with degrees of excitability was noted
(Franzmann and Thorne,1970).
Blood chemistry values respond to many influences (Coles,1967),and
to utilize them to monitor animal populations these influences must be
evaluated and standardized.In search for more stable material to utilize
as a physiologic monitor,researchers in human medicine are investigating hair
sampling from several aspects.Some are monitoring protein metabolism
(Bradfield,1968;Bradfield et al.,1967;Bradfield and Jelliffe,1970;
Crounse et al.,1970;Godwin,1959;Lowry et al.,1951;Sims,1968)while
others are monitoring mineral metabolism (Hammer et al.,197l;Klevay,1970a;
Klevay,1970b;Kopito et al.,1967;Schroeder and Nason,1969;Strain et
al.,1972;Strain et al.,1966).The importance of protein metabolism
related to wool growth has been determined (Drummond and Basset,1952;
Marston,1955;Ryder,1958;Slen and Whiting,1952).Mineral metabolism
malfunction has been related to skin and hair pathology in swine (Lewis
et al.,1957).
The search for physiologic parameters to assist in evaluating condition
in moose is aided by applying known criteria such as femur marrow values.
The percent fat of femur marrow,as an indicator af an animal's condition,
has been reported by several authors (Cheatum,1949;Bischoff,1954,
Greer,1968 and Neiland,1970).Greer (1969)stated that the marrow
of elk (Cervus canadensis)in poor condition contained less than 10 percent
fat.Some elk collected in the spring and winter-killed elk contained
less than one percent marrow fat (Greer,1968).Neiland (1970),subjectively
classifying caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti)as in poor condition by
visual estimation,found their marrow to contain 3-34 percent fat.
Subjective classifications of condition when accomplished by
experienced individuals can provide another guideline in the total
condition evaluation of an animal (Robinson,1960;and Franzmann,1972).
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OBJECTIVES
To measure natality,mortality and general condition of moose at
the Kenai Moose Research Center.
To establish baselines by sex,age,season,reproductive status,
area,drug used,excitability,and condition for the following physiologic
parameters in moose,and to evaluate their usefulness as indicators of
nutritional and general status in moose:
A.Blood Values for:
1.Calcium
2.Inorganic phosphorus
3 Calcium/phosphorus ratio(
4.Glucose
5.Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
6.Uric acid
7.Cholesterol
8.Total protein
9.Albumin
10.Globulin
11.Albumin/globulin ratio
12.Alpha-I,alpha-2,beta and gamma globulins
13.Bilirubin
14.Alkaline phosphotase
15.Lactic dehydorgenase (LHD)
16.Serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT)
17.Hemoglobin
18.Hematocrit (PCV)
19.White blood cells
20.Differential cell count
B.Hair element values for:
1.Zinc (Zn)
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2.Copper (Cu)
3.Magnesium (Mg)
4.Manganese (Mu)
5.Calcium (Ca)
6.Sodium (Na)
7.Potassium (K)
8.Cadium(Cd)
9.Iron (Fe)
10.Lead (Pb)
C.Heart and respiratory rate
D.Body temperature
To establish excitability stress classifications for moose based
upon appropriate and selected physiologic parameters mentioned above.
To estimate browse production and utilization and to quantitatively
and qualitatively estimate consumption of all plant materials by
moose.
To determine nutritional values and digestibilities of the more common
moose forage species.
The overall objective is to obtain more thorough and specific
knowledge of how moose affect vegetation and how vegetation affects
moose.The application of the indicator species concept to moose by
gaining knowledge specific to moose function (physiology)is an integral
part of this objective.
PROCEDURES
Kenai Moose Research Center Facility
LeResche and Davis (1971)provided a thorough description of the facilities.
During this report period,an additional trap was constructed in the northwest
corner of Pen 4 and another is under construction in the northeast corner of
Pen 4.A log building which will replace the trailer living facilities for
personnel assigned to the Kenai Moose Research Center was started and nears
completion.Two additional gates were purchased and will be installed to
facilitate movement of equipment in the enclosures.
Productivity and Mortality
Mortality and natality within the pens were assessed by ground observations,
periodic aerial observations (including intensive spring and fall helicopter
surveys),trapping and radio-telemetry.Rectal examination of females
after January 1 was utilized for pregnancy determination.
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Weights and Measurements
Weights were obtained from trapped,immobilized animals utilizing a
4 x 4 truck with a long boom and winch when weather conditions permitted.
A tripod was utilized when it was not possible to utilize the boom truck
(snow and mud conditions).A heavy duty spring-scale was used.
Physiology -Blood and Hair
Blood samples were obtained from moose trapped within Moose Research
Center enclosures,trapped outside of enclosures,killed during the
January,1973 Fort Richardson hunt,and immobilized for marking on the Kenai
Peninsula (Job 1.4R).
Blood was collected from live animals by jugular vein puncture
utilizing sterile evacuated containers.One vial contained heparin to
provide a whole blood sample for hemoglobin determination at the MRC
utilizing a Hb-Meter (American Optical Corp.,Buffalo,N.Y.)and
packed cell volume (PCV)values utilizing a micro-hematocrit centrifuge
(Readacrit -Clay-Adams Co.,Parsippany,N.J.).Three other 15 ml vials
were filled with blood and centrifuged at the MRC to separate serum and
blood cells.Sera were frozen and one sample was sent to Alaska Medical
Laboratories,Anchorage,Alaska for blood chemistry analysis (Technicon
Autoanalyzer SMA-12)and protein electrophoresis.The remaining two
frozen serum samples have been retained for future analysis .
Hair samples were obtained by plucking hair from the point of the
shoulder (hump)on these moose.The samples were sent to Dr.Arthur Flynn
at Case Western Reserve University,School of Medicine,Cleveland,Ohio,
for analysis,utilizing an atomic absorption spectrometer.
Excitability Evaluation
The initial approach to this problem was to subjectively classify
the captured moose on the basis of activity prior to and during handling.
The state of excitement was evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale (1 -none,2 -slight,
3 -moderate,4 -excited,and 5 -highly excited).Seven ambient temperature
classes were established (Table 1).Rectal temperatures of the moose were
classified into five classes (Table 2).Respiratory rate and heart rate were
determined for each animal handled and sampled.Blood chemistry values were
evaluated for their ability to reflect excitability,and all possible
useful parameters were tested for correlation.
Condition Evaluation
As an adjunct to better evaluation of the moose processed at Moose
Research Center,a subjective evaluation of each moose's condition was
made and graded (1 to 10)on the basis of the following criteria
(adapted to moose from Robinson,1960):
10.A prime,fat moose with thick,firm rump fat by sight.
Well fleshed over back and loin.Shoulders are round and full.
9.A choice,fat moose with evidence of rump fat by feel.
Fleshed over back and loin.Shoulders are round and full.
8.A good,fat moose with slight evidence of rump fat by feel.
Bony structures of back and loin not prominent.Shoulders well fleshed.
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Table 1.Ambient Temperature Classes
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Class
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Centigrade
Below -20
-20 to -10
-10 to 0
o to 10
10 to 20
20 to 30
Above 30
Fahrenheit
Below -14
-4 to 14
14 to 32
32 to 50
50 to 68
68 to 86
Above 86
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Table 2.Rectal Temperature Classes
Table 2.Rectal Temperature Classes
Class Centigrade Fahrenheit
1 Below 38 Below 100.4238to39100.4 to 102.2339to40102.2 to 104.0440to41104.0 to 105.8
5 Above 41 Above 105.8
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fleshed.
with some
An lIaveragell moose with no evidence of rump fat,but well
Bony structures of back and loin evident by feel.Shoulders
angulari ty •
~.A moderately fleshed moose beginning to demonstrate one of
the following conditions:(A)definition of neck from shoulders;-cB)upper
fore leg (humerus and musculature)distinct from chest;or (C)rib cage is
prominent.
5.A condition in which two of the characteristics listed in
Class 6 are evident.
4.A condition in which all three of the characteristics
listed in Class 6 are evident.
3.A condition in which the hide fits loosely about neck and
shoulders.Head is carried at a lower profile.Walking and running
postures appear normal.
2.Signs of malnutrition are obvious.The outline of the
scapula is evident.Head and neck low and extended.The moose walks
normally but trots and paces with difficulty,and cannot canter.
1.A point of no return.A generalized appearance of weakness.
The moose walks with difficulty and can no longer trot,pace or canter.
O.A dead moose,from malnutrition and/or accompanying circumstances.
In addition to this subjective evaluation,physiologic parameters,
as their usefulness was being assessed,were utilized to evaluate condition.
Marrow fat analysis and an evaluation of visceral fat deposits were made
on moose that died in the pens in conjunction with post-mortem clinical
evaluations.
During the winter months,many adult and calf femurs were collected
from road kills,winter kills and miscellaneous mortalities both at the
MRC and from many other points on the Kenai Peninsula by biologists from
the Soldotna Office,Alaska Department of Fish and Game.With these
samples,comparisons between the areas were made and the general condition
of the Kenai moose herd can be assessed.In all cases,ft~urs were
frozen and processed in the Anchorage Department of Fish and Game laboratory
by the technique described by Neiland (1970).Times from death of the
moose to femur collection and from femur collection to processing varied
considerably.Femurs were collected as soon after the death of the moose
as possible,but some may have remained frozen for up to 60 days before
processing.This may have affected the results (Greer,1968).
FINDINGS
Productivity and Mortality
Table 3 presents raw tagging,breeding and mortality data for
moose within the enclosures from July 1,1972 through June 1973.
total number of observations and times trapped are also included.
-7-
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Table 3.Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 1
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed captured
3 F 10 July 14,1972 With no calf Observed 23 4
Apr.15,1973 Pregnant Helicopter capture
June 18,1973 With 1 calf Observed
670 F 2 July 6,1972 With no calf Trapped 12 2
June 18,1973 With no calf Observed -helicopter
10 F 5 August 5,1972 With 1 calf Observed 14 1
Jan.3,1973 With no calf Observed
June 18,1973 With 1 calf Observed -helicopter
35 M 4 Nov.14,1972 Antler spread -88 cm Trapped 23 9
June 5,1973 Antler spread -71 cm Trapped
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'F 40 F 4 July 24,1972 With no calf Observed 23 3
Oct.12,1972 Escaped into Pen 2 Observed
Dec.1,1972 Driven back into Pen 1 Observed
June 18,1973 With 1 calf Observed -helicopter
43 M 5 July 16,1972 Antler spread -102 em Trapped 42 2
Sept.15,1972 Escaped into Pen 2 Observed
Jan.4,1973 Weight -398 kg.Trapped
Feb.7,1973 Driven back into Pen 1 Observed
58 Aug.8,1972 Antler spread -75 cm Trapped 16 5
June 22,1973 Antler spread -65 cm Trapped
R70-8 F 4 July 7,1972 With no calf Trapped 18 4
June 7,1973 With 1 calf Trapped
64 M 3 July 21,1972 Antler spread -69 em.Trapped 9 4
June 6,1973 Died.Weight -284 kg.Trapped
Antler spread -45 cm
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Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 1
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
65 M 2 July 11,1972 Antler spread -545 cm Trapped 25 8
Oct.4,1973 Weight:330 kg.Trapped
Dec.1,1973 Driven into Pen 1 with Observed
#40 from Pen 2
Dec.5,1973 Weight:339 kg.Trapped
Jan.3,1973 Weight:318 kg.Trapped
Feb.5,1973 Died:weight -286 kg.Trapped
69 F 3 June 18,1973 With no calf Observed -helicopter 11 0
76 F 9 Sept.6,1972 With 1 calf Observed 22 3
I Oct.26,1972 Weight:366 kg.Trapped-.0
I Jan.29,1973 With no calf Observed
Apr.6,1973 Pregnant Trapped
June 18,1973 Found dead Observed -helicopter
93 M 3 Oct.11,1973 Escaped from Pen 2 Trapped 0 2
from Pen 1
Nov.14,1973 Died.Weigh t 350 kg.Trapped
Antler spread -81 cm
96 M Calf Dec.22,1972 Released into Pen 1 -Trapped 2 1
Orphan,weight:145 kg
Jan.23,1973 Found dead Observed
Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 2
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
1 F 8 July 6,1972 With no calf Observed 29 4
Oct.6,1972 Weight:411 kg.Trapped
June 18,f973 With no calf Observed -helicopter
R70-4 F 5 July 7,1972 With no calf Trapped 15 2
June 18,1973 With no calf Observed -helicopter
36 M June 7,1973 Antler spread -72 cm Trapped 27 4
Raque1 F 3 Oct.2,1972 Released into Pen 2 Trapped Tame 11
for breeding
I Nov.13,1972 Weight:373 kg.Trappedf-'
0 Dec.18,1972 Weight:384 kg.TrappedI
Mar.27,1973 Weight:445 kg.Trapped
June 11,1973 With 1 calf Observed
Wally,Jr.M 1 Nov.13,1972 Antler spread:73-1/2 kg Trapped Tame 10
Dec.18,1972 Weight:298 kg.Trapped
Feb.26,1973 Weight:320 kg.Trapped
Antlers present
June 4,1973 Freeze branded Trapped
45 M 5 Aug.1,1972 Weight:384 kg.Trapped 11 8
Oct.4,1972 Weight:386 kg.Trapped
Dec.20,1972 Weight:393 kg.Trapped
Feb.8,1973 Died:weight:357 kg.Trapped
52 F 4 Sept.6,1972 With 1 calf Observed 18 3
Feb.20,1973 With no calf Observed
Apr.26,1973 Pregnant Trapped
May 10,1973 Found dead Observed
61 F 10 July 14,1972 With no calf Observed 37 3
Sept.15,1972 Escaped into Pen 2 Observed
Feb.13,1973 Weight:320 kg.Trapped
June 18,1973 With no calf Observed -helicopter
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Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center Enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 2
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
73 M 3 June 12,1973 Antler spread -55 cm Trapped 12 4
right antler broken
77 F 6 Aug.23,1972 With no calf Observed 22 2
Dec.5,1972 Weight:402 kg.Trapped
Apr.26,1973 Died:pregnant - 1 Trapped
fetus
78 M 4 Aug.3,1972 Found dead Observed 2 °
79 F 3 July 1,1972 With 1 calf Observed
82 F Calf Aug.10,1973 First marked Trapped 18 1
I Feb.20,1973 Found dead Observedf-'
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I 83 M Calf Sept.6,1972 First marked Trapped 12 1
Feb.15,1973 Last seen;assumed dead Observed
97 M Calf Jan.24,1973 Released into Pen 1 Trapped °1
orphan
R-70-7 F 8 July 10,1972 With 1 calf Trapped 36 3
Mar.11,1973 With no calf Observed
Apr.26,1973 Not pregnant,condition 3 Darted from helicopter
June 18,1973 Found dead Observed -helicopter
Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center Enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 3
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
27 F 5 July 12,1972 With no calf Trapped 8 4
Apr.4,1973 Pregnant Helicopter capture
June 21,1973 With no calf Trapped
2870 F 2 Dec.5,1972 Weight:303 kg.Trapped 15 4
Apr.25,1973 Not pregnant Trapped
38 F 18 July 11,1972 With no calf Trapped 6 2
June 18,1973 With no calf Observed -helicopter
39 F 7 July 7,1972 With no calf Observed 23 4
Sept.18,1972 Weight:305 kg.Trapped
June 18,1973 With 1 calf Observed -helicopter
72 F 2 June 6,1973 With 1 calf (no calf 1972)Trapped 17 5I.....
N July 6,1972 12 2I75F3WithnocalfTrapped
June 18,1973 With no calf Observed
80 M 3 July 14,1972 Antler spread:60 cm Trapped 11 1
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Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center Enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 4
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Ci rcums tances Observed Captured
7 M 3 Oct.11,1972 Rutting Observed 31 4
July 9,1972 With no calf Observed
22 F 7 June 18,1973 t.Jith 1 calf Observed -helicopter 27 1
July 9,1972 With no calf Observed
36 F 9 July 9,1972 With no calf Observed 23 1
June 21,1973 With no calf Trapped
37 F 3 July 13,1972 With no calf Observed 21 4
Mar.14,1973 Pregnant Trapped
June 24,1973 With no calf Observed
I 53 M 2 July 20,1973 Antler spread:62 cm Trapped 33 7I-'
W Oct.12,1972 Escaped into Pen 2 from Observed,
Pen 1
Nov.15,1973 Antler spread 73.5 cm,Trapped
released into Pen 4
Mar.2,1973 Condition 4 Trapped
May 10,1973 Found dead Observed
57 F 2 July 9,1972 With no calf Observed 22 1
June 24,1973 With no calf Observed
59 M 4 Nov.21,1972 Both antlers double Observed 22 1
spikes
June 12,1973 Antler spread 45 cm,Trapped
broken
71 F 3 July 6,1972 With no calf Observed 30 1
June 18,1973 With 1 calf Observed
81 F 3 July 19,1972 With no calf Observed 19 3
June 24,1973 With no calf Observed
Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center Enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 4
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
84 F 5 Sept.8,1972 First processed,no calf Trapped 21 3
June 24,1973 With no calf Observed
85 F 11 Sept.18,1972 Released into Pen 4 with Trapped 27 3
calf,condition 9
Jan.20,1973 With no calf Observed
Jan.23,1973 Weight:385 kg Trapped
condition 5,twin fetuses
June 19,1973 Found dead Observed
I
t:86 M Calf Sept.18,1972 Released with mother into Trapped 13 1
I Pen 4
Mar.4,1973 Found dead Observed
87 F 11 Oct.26,1972 Released with calf into Trapped 28 5
Pen 4,weight:384 kg
Jan.15,1973 With no calf
Feb.5,1973 Pregnant:one fetus Trapped
condition 4
Mar.19,1973 Found dead Radio-lo cated
88 M Calf Oct.26,1972 Released into Pen 4 Trapped 20 1
with mother
Feb.13,1973 Found dead Observed
89 F 13 Nov.2,1972 Released with calf into Trapped 16 3
Pen 4,weight:407 kg
Jan.24,1973 With no calf Observed
Feb.13,1973 Not pregnant Trapped
Mar.16,1973 Weight:355 kg Trapped
June 18,1973 Found dead Observed -helicopter
90 F Calf Nov.2,1972 Released with mother Trapped 4 1
into Pen 4
Jan.26,1973 Found dead Observed
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Table 3.(Continued)Histories of individual moose in Kenai Moose Research Center Enclosures,July 1,1972 through June 30,1973.
PEN 4
Age Significant Observations No.Times No.Times
Moose No.Sex (years)Date Event Circums tances Observed Captured
91 F 10 Nov.11,1972 Released into Pen 4 Trapped 33 6
with calf,weight:414 kg
Jan.5,1973 With no calf Observed
June 18,1973 Found dead Observed -helicopter
92 F Calf Nov.11,1972 Released into Pen 4 Trapped 18 1
with mother,weight:166 kg
Jan.31,1973 Found dead Observed
94 F Calf Dec.6,1972 Released into Pen 4 Trapped 6 1
orphaned,weight:149 kg
May 9,1973 Found dead Observed
I
~~95 F Calf Dec.6,1972 Released into Pen 4,Trapped 5 1V1
I orphaned,weight:166 kg
Jan.31,1973 Found dead Observed
100 M Not yet rec'd.June 20,1973 First processed,released Trapped 0 1
into Pen 4
118 F 2 July 21,1972 With no calf Observed 13 2
Apr.13,1973 Collected for VFA Study Shot
weight:273 kg,not pregnant
123 F 4 July 9,1972 With 1 calf Observed 24 8
Dec.4,1972 With no calf Observed
Apr.13,1973 Collected for VFA Study Shot
weight:261 kg,not pregnant
128 F Unk.July 9,1972 With no calf Observed 30 3
Nov.22,1972 Weight:366 kg.Trapped
Jan.24,1973 Weight:330 kg.Trapped
Apr.5,1973 Last seen Observed
R-70-3 F 5 July 11,1973 With no calf Observed 23 1
Apr.26,1973 Died,not pregnant Darted from helicopter
to total loss of calves and yearlings within the enclosures in the
winter of 1971~72 and the total loss of calves in the winter of 1972-73,
there was no natural recruitment into the population during this report
period.The population within the enclosures on June 20,1972,totaled
51 moose (12.75 per square mile).Components of the population as of July 1,
1972 are tabulated in Table 4.The population within the enclosures on
November 13,1972 totaled 62 moose (15.5 per square mile).Components of the
population are tabulated in Table 5.Table 6 provides population composition
information for April 1,1973.The population within the enclosures on
June 19,1973 totaled 47 moose (10.5 per square mile).Components
of the population are tabulated in Table 7.Tables 4,5,6 and 7 do not
reflect natural population changes as additions were periodically made
during the year,two escapements between Pens 1 and 2 were experienced,
moose mortalities occurred during immobilization and handling,and moose
were sacrificed for certain studies.These changes and mortalities are
outlined in Tables 3 and 8.
In November,1972,pen-born and and introduced calves comprised 19.4
percent of the population (Table 5)and in April,1973,0.0 percent
(Table 6).This high calf mortality experienced within the }ffiC enclosures
during the winter of 1972-73 was outlined and discussed by Johnson et a1.
(1973).Some of the following discussion is taken from that report.
Aerial survival counts in the area immediately outside the pens,which
is in Game Management Subunit 15(A),were conducted on February 26 and 27,
1973 for comparison with the 100 percent mortality which occurred in the pens.
The results of these two counts and those reported by Paul LeRoux and
James Davis,Alaska Department of Fish and Game,Soldotna,for Units
7 and 15 are listed in Table 9.
Survival percentages were lower in the area immediately around the
pens (5.4 and 5.2 percent)than in the remainder of Subunit l5(A)
(7.9,6.5 and 10.1 percent).Subunits l5(B)and 15(C)had higher survival
percentages (16.1 to 16.3 percent)than Subunit 15(A),while the Unit 7
survival percent (7.1 percent)was similar to those reported for Subunit
15(A).Many factors may influence these disparities,including small
sample size and distribution bias,but to relate to the poor survival
within the enclosures and in the area immediately surrounding the pens,
several other factors should be considered.
Snow depth at the MRC in March,1973 was 60 cm.This was nearly as
deep as experienced during the winter of 1971-72,when high calf mortality
(90 percent +)occurred on the Kenai Peninsula.In the winter of 1972-73,
snow depths varied considerably on the Kenai Peninsula.They decreased
to the west and south of the MRC in the direction of movement of moose
through thi,s area.At the time of our survival counts in the MRC area,
the majority of the moose had drifted to the west and south into areas where
survival appeared higher.In the area around the MRC we may have been
observing stragglers from this drift which contributed to lower survival
counts.The greater snow depths in the area of the MRC during the winter
of 1972-73,could have influenced the drift as well as the poor survival,
particularly when the moose are somewhat dependent upon ground forage
for winter survival (LeResche and Davis,1973).This same reasoning could
explain the total calf mortality within the 11RC pens where the moose were
retained in the greater snow-depth area and where decreased availability
of ground forage and considerable cratering activity were evident.
The differences between Units and Subunits in percent survival cannot
be completely explained on the basis of snow depth,but the influence of
depth cannot be rejected.More intensive survival counts,to eliminate
-16-
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Table 4.Populations within Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures as of
July 1,1972
Adult Adult
FF Yearling Calves MM Total
Pen 1 7 0 1 5 13
Pen 2 7 0 4 5 16
Pen 3 7 0 0 1 8
Pen 4 11 0 1 2 14
Total 32 0 6 13 51
(All Pens)
..-.-,
-17-
Table 5.Populations within Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures as of [jNovember13,1972
Adult Adult
r~
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FF Yearling Calves MM Total r:
Pen 1 1 0 2 4 13 'l
Pen 2 8 0 3 6 17
Pen 3 6 0 0 1 7
Pen 4 15 0 7 3 25
Total 36 0 12 14 62
(All Pens)
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Table 6.Populations within Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures as of
April 1,1973
Adult Adult
FF Yearling Calves MM Total
Pen 1 7 0 0 4 11
Pen 2 6 0 0 2 8
Pen 3 6 0 0 1 7
Pen 4 14 0 0 2 16
Total 33 0 0 9 42
(All Pens)
··18-
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Table 7.Populations within Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures as of
June 18,1973.
Adult Adult
FF Yearling Calves MM Total
Pen 1 6 0 4 3 13
Pen 2 4 0 1 2 7
Pen 3 6 0 2 1 9
Pen 4 8 0 2 2 12
Total
(All Pens)24 0 9 8 41
Table 8.Hortalities ~ithin Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures (July 1.1972-June 3D,1973)
Hoose's'ex Age Pen I Month Year Cause
6S H 2+1 Feb.1973 Immobilization in poor condition.
93 H 3+1 Nov.1972 Hyperthecia during trapping.
96 H Calf 1 Jan.1973 Winter (introduced orphan).
4S ~I 5+2 Feb.1973 Immobilization in poor condition.
52 F 6 2 May 1973 Unknown (followed immobilization).
77 F 7 2 Apr.1973 I~obi1ization in poor condition.
78 H 4+2 Aug.1972 Peritonitis from trocar experiment.
82 F Calf 2 Feb.1973 Winter (born in Pen).
97 M Calf 2 Feb.1973 Winter (introduced orphan).
53 H 3 4 tlay 1973 Winter (introduced into Pen 4).
86 H Calf 4 Har.1973 Winter (introduced with mother).
87 F Adult 4 .Iar.1973 Winter (introduced).
88 H Calf 4 Feb.1973 Winter (introduced with cother).
90 F CAlf 4 Jan.lSi)Winter (introduced with mother).
92 F Calf 4 Jan.1973 tUnter (introduced with mother).
94 F Calf 4 Hay 1973 Winter (introduced orphan).
95 F Calf 4 Jan.1973 Winter (introduced orphan).
118 F 3 4 Apr.1973 Collected for VFA study.
123 F Adult 4 A?r.1973 Collected for VFA study.
R7Q-3 F 6 4 Apr.1973 Immobilization in poor condition.
64 U II 1.June 1973 Imaobi1ization in poor condition.
76 F 10 1 Hay 1973 UnknolJn
1l70-7 F 9 2 April 1973 Winter (poor condition).
85 F 12 4 April 1973 Winter (introduced).
89 F 14 4 April 1973 Winter (introduced).
91 F 11 4 .Iarch 1973 Winter (introduced).
Unmarked Calf 1 Not found Assumed dead.
l1ncarked Calf 1 Not found Assumed dead.
Unm..rked Calf 2 Not found Assumed dead.
Unmarked Calf 4 Not found Assumed dead.
-19-
Table 9.Survival counts from Game Management Units on the Kenai
Peninsula,1973.
Unit or Subunit Date Sample Size Calf %1 in Herd
15A2 Feb.26 202 5.4
15A2 Feb.27 77 5.2
15A Apr.24 304 7.9
15.\~,rav 10 HZ 6.5
15A May 16 149 10.1
15B May 11 92 16.3
15C Feb.22 289 16.3
15C Mar.30 37 16.2
15C May 11 149 16.1
7 May 8 56 7.1
1.Bulls were not distinguished in survival counts.
2.Counts made in the immediate area of MRC.
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the distributional bias in areas of intensive management,should be conducted
and the resulting data should be related to moose density.
Adult moose populations in the enclosures experienced high mortalities
during this report period (Table 8).Seven mortalities were attributed
to handling and immobilization procedures.Five of these moose died from
respiratory paralysis following immobilization,due to overestimation of
their condition.All died in late winter or early spring when immobilizing
doses are very critical.A total of 175 moose within the MRC pens were
immobilized with an immobilization mortality rate of 2.9 percent during
this report period.Sixty-three moose were immobilized in traps outside
of the pens with one mortality for an immobilization mortality rate of
1.6 percent.The combined immobilization mortality was 2.5 percent for
all moose trapped at the MRC.
One moose died from hyperthermia (overheating)during trapping and
one moose died from possible complications associated with a rumen trocar
experiment (Job 1.6R).Two moose were collected for a volatile fatty acid
(VFA)study in April.Both were in extremely poor condition.The remainder
of the adult mortalities were from winter kill or unknown causes.Considering
the poor condition of some of the moose that died of man-influenced causes,
it is possible that some accidental or intentional mortalities may have
preceded natural mortality.Not considering this possibility and excluding
experimental alterations,there was an adult population change of minus 8.9
percent.LeResche and Davis (1971)reported overall adult population
changes of plus 3 percent from 1968 to 1971 excluding experimental alterations.
In comparison,estimates of moose numbers outside the pens based on
random mile-square quadrant counts on the Kenai National Moose Range
(Monie,1973)reflected a 28 percent drop in population from 1971 to 1973.
The 1971 estimate was 7900 +1460 and the 1973 estimate was 5700 +--1348 moose.These figures reflect two successive heavy calf mortality
winters (1970-72)on the Kenai Peninsula as does the calf mortality
experienced at the MRC.
Resident moose at the MRC that were accidentally or intentionally
transplanted into another pen displayed behavioral patterns which may
have contributed to the weakening of the animals through the winter period.
These moose,with one exception,frequently paced the border nearest the
pen from which they came.
On September 15,1972 rutting bulls broke open the gate between
Pens 1 and 2,allowing male number 43 and female number 61 to escape into
Pen 2 from Pen 1.Until number 43 was released back into Pen 1 on February
7,he was observed 19 times near the border between Pens 1 and 2.On
}f~rch 11,1973 number 61 was last seen at the border of these two pens,
but she had been observed 26 times in that area in a three and one-half
month period starting November 29.
The gate was again broken open on October 12.At that time female
number 40 and male number 53 went from Pen 1 into Pen 2 while female
number 76 and her calf went the opposite direction.
Between November 28 and December 1,1972 number
four times along the fence at Pen 1.On the latter
driven,along with male number 65,back into Pen 1.
(November 15)released into Pen 4.He was observed
-21-
40 was observed
date,she was
Number 53 was soon
15 times in the
northwest corner of Pen 4 which was the closest point to his original
home in Pen 1.He was also trapped four times in that area before
being found dead on May 10,1973.Numb.er 76 (not classified a resident
moose since she broke into Pen 2 from the outside the previous winter)did
not pace the fenceline nearest Pen 2 as the other moose were doing.She
was trapped along the Pens 1 and 2 border on April 6,1973 in poor
condition and was found dead on June 18,1973.
Number 65,who accidentally got into Pen 1,paced the border
constantly (he was never observed anywhere else).He was observed 10 times
and trapped 5 times along the border and died on February 5,1973 from
overdose of an immobilizing drug due to his extremely poor condition.
There apparently was territory preference by resident moose,as
noted by LeResche and Davis (1971).The established moose in a pen
preferred to be back in their original pen when displaced,as demonstrated
by their pacing behavior.This pacing behavior appeared to interfere
with feeding and resting activity as well as utilizing additional calories
which contributed to the poor condition of these animals.
Based on a helicopter survey flown on June 19,1973,the 22 cows in
the enclosures produced nine calves.One cow was known to not be pregnant
and one previously pregnant cow could not be accounted for.This equates
to a ratio of 40.9 calves/100 cows or assuming that the one pregnant cow produced,
the ratio would be 41.7 calves/IOO cows.Spring calf productivity counts
are not frequently reported in the literature.LeResche (1968)reported
84.3 calves/IOO cows in the Palmer,Alaska area.There are more reports
of cow/calf ratios in the fall,most of which show higher calf ratios than
we found in the spring (Rausch and Bishop,1968;Houston,1968;Peek,
1962;and Stevens,1970).Considering possible spring to fall mortality
as reported by LeResche (1968),comparative productivity was extremely
low this spring at the MRC.The first consideration would be that all
the calves were not seen,but this particular helicopter survey was directed
toward locating calves and an intensive search was made near each female
to find the calf.Nearly one hour of helicopter time was devoted to each
square-mile pen.A good part of this time was devoted to searching for
calves (see Job 1.6R this report).Continued observations and trapping
will provide a check on our observations.A similar survey conducted on
June 20,1972 and subsequent ground observations revealed a productivity
ratio of 34.4 calves/IOO cows,a lower proportion than this year.Subsequent
observations and trapping indicated that one calf was not observed during
the helicopter survey.
The cow/calf ratio as of June 14,1971 was 75.9 calves/IOO cows (LeResche
and Davis,1971).The two successive years of low calf productivity do not
necessarily relate to severe winters,as the winter of 1970-71 was a
comparatively severe winter.The possibility of a delayed poor reproductive
response to severe winters and its effect on the mooses'abi1ity'to recover
should not be overlooked.A decrease in browse availability,production,
composition and quality may be indicated by poorer reproductive success.
Vegatative aspects of this study being conducted by John 01demeyer,u.S.
Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife,are not complete and will be reported
at a later date.
The decrease in the adult population,excluding manipulation,of 8.9
percent may be a further indication of the MRC population's response to
-22-
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vegetative changes as well as to the effects of successive relatively severe
winters.A cause and effect relationship cannot be established,as the
many variables influencing a population are inherently ecologically related;
however,the signs are evident that the MRC population as a whole has negatively
responded and it can be assumed that the population was above carrying
capacity for this period.
From January through April,1973 all adult female moose trapped and
processed both in and out of the pens were examined for pregnancy by
rectal palpation (Table 10).Of a total of 21 moose examined within
the enclosures,62 percent were pregnant as compared to 76.5 percent of 34
moose examined outside the enclosures.These pregnancy rates are lower
than those found by most observers (Rausch,1959;and Rausch and Bratlie,
1965;Markgren,1969;Houston,1968;and Simkin,1965),were similar to
those reported by Pim10tt (1959),and were higher than those reported by
Edwards and Ritcey (1958).The small sample size of examined females
during this report period precludes any conclusions or discussion of
comparisons at this time.Due to the ease of palpating fetuses in January,
we concluded that palpation for pregnancy should begin sooner,and earlier
efforts will be made in the future.
The pregnancy rates do not directly relate to productivity within
the pens,as some of the cows examined died prior to parturition.Twelve
cows that were previously determined to be pregnant were seen on the
June 19,1973 helicopter survey.Two of these had no calves by their side
as of June 19,1973.They were not likely to calve after that date and
it can be assumed that their calves suffered late in-utero death or early
post-partum mortality.One of these cows was a resident of Pen 4 where
a wolf (Canis Zupus)was known to reside from June 7 to June 14,1973.
It is possible her calf was taken by the wolf.No cows examined for pregnancy
and found not-pregnant had calves by side.
Weights and Measurements
Table 11 lists 34 whole weights of moose from within the MRC pens and
Table 12 lists 25 whole weights of moose trapped and immobilized outside the
pens.Several "inside"moose were serially weighed and provide some evidence
of seasonal weight fluctuation as represented in Fig.1.One adult female
moose gained 0.9 kg./day (1.9 pounds)from June to October and another adult
female gained 0.8 kg/day (1.8 pounds)from June to September.Two cows and
two bulls showed weight losses during the winter.Cow number 128 lost
0.7 kg./day (1.5 pounds)from November through January.Cow number 89 lost
0.5 kg./day (1.1 pounds)from November to March.Bull number 65 lost 0.9
kg./day (1.9 pounds)from December to February.Bull number 45 was weighed
every 60 days from August to February.It is interesting to note that he
maintained his pre-rut body weight through the rut and did not begin losing
weight until after December (Table 11).
Table 12 does not contain serial weights on anyone individual.The
weights of adult female moose outside the pens did not fluctuate as
much from December through April as did the moose within the pens.
Without serial sampling and with the small sample size the data are not
statistically comparable,but they do suggest a possible added stress
this past year on the enclosed moose.The mean weight of seven adult
female enclosed moose from September through December was 352 kg.
-23-
Table 10.Reproductive status of moose at Moose Research Center based on rectal pa1pation.*
Moose not %not Moose**Moose with Moose with Total %Examined Repro.Status Total Number Total Number
Pregnant Pregnant Pregnant 1 Fetus 2 Fetuses Pregnant Pregnant Unknown Cows Bulls
Pen 1 --4 --4 100 3 7 3
Pen 2 2 40 1 2***-3 60 3 8 6
Pen 3 1 25 3 --3 75 2 6 1
Pen 4 6 55 1 2 2 5 45 4 15 2
Total
Moose Research
Center 8 38 9 3 1 13 62 12 33 12
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Outside
Moose
Research
Center 8 23.5 10 12 4 26 76.5
***
***
Data based on animal numbers and location during 1972 rut.
During late pregnancy number of fetuses not determined.
Raquel (tame moose)included.
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Table 11.Whole weights of moose of known age,sex and reproductive status inside Moose Research Center pens (June 1,1972 -June 30,1973).
Weight
Moose Date Pen Sex Age (mo.)Reproductive Status and Remarks Kg.Pounds
73 6/5/72 2 M 36 In poor condition (5)239 525
1 6/22/72 2 F 96 With no calf 318 700
1 10/6/72 2 F 100 Gained .9 kg/day from June to Oct.411 905
39 6/23/72 3 F 85 With no calf.Poor condition.243 535
39 9/18/72 3 F 87 Gained .8 kg/day from June to Sept.305 670
3 6/24/72 1 F 120 With no calf.Poor condition (5)295 650
Wally 6/24/72 CP N 13 Castrated male -semi-tame 234 515
Wally 12/18/72 CP N 19 Supplemental feeding 298 655
Wally 2/26/73 CP N 22 320 705
Raque1 6/24/72 CP F 37 With no calf -tame 352 775
Raque1 11/13/72 CP F 41 Gained weight through winter on supplemental feeding.373 820
Raque1 12/18/72 CP F 42 384 845
Raque1 3/27/73 CP F 46 445 980
45 8/1/72 2 M 61 Maintained weight through rut,but lost 36 kg.in 50 days.384 845
45 10/4/72 2 M 63 386 850
45 12/20/72 2 M 65 393 865
I 45 2/8/73 2 M 67 357 785N
0-76 10/26/72 1 F 113 Wi th one calf 366 805I
79 11/10/72 2 F 41 With no calf -pregnant 311 685
128 11/22/72 4 F Unk.With no calf -pregnant 366 805
128 1/24/72 4 F Unk.Lost 36 kg.in 52 days.Nov.to Jan.330 725
93 11/14/72 1 M 41 350 770
65 12/5/72 1 M 30 Lost 52 kg.in 60 days,Dec.to FeD.338 745
65 1/3/73 1 M 31 318 700
65 2/5/73 1 M 32 286 630
2870 12/5/72 3 F 30 No calf -not pregnant 302 665
77 12/5/72 2 F 78 Pregnant 402 885
43 1/4/73 1 M 67 398 875
85 1/23/73 4 F 140 Pregnant 385 848
61 2/13/73 2 F
128 Not pregnant 320 705
89 11/2/72 4 F 161 Trapped outside,put into Pen 4 407 895
89 3/16/73 4 F 164 Lost 52 kg.in 133 days,Nov.to Mar.355 780
118 4/13/73 4 F 34 Not pregnant -poor condition (4)273 600
123 4/13/73 4 F 54 Not pregnant -poor condition (4)261 575
64 6/6/73 1 M 48 284 625
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Table 12.Whole weights of moose trapped outside Moose Research Center pens (June 1,1972 -June 30,1973).
Weight
Moose Date Sex Age (yrs)Reproductive status and remarks Kg.Pounds
87 10/26/72 F 11 With calf -introduced into Pen 4 384 845
89 11/2/72 F 13 With calf -introduced into Pen 4 407 895
91 11/11/72 F 12 With calf -introduced into Pen 4 414 910
92 11/11/72 F Calf Calf of #91 -introduced into Pen 4 164 360
94 12/6/72 F Calf Introduced into Pen 4 149 328
95 12/6/72 F Calf Introduced into Pen 4 166 365
96 12/22/72 M Calf Introduced into Pen 1 145 320
I 148 12/6/72 F 2 No calf seen 311 685
N 149 12/6/72 F 10 With one calf 380 835-..J
I 153 12/7 /72 F 10 No calf seen 384 845
160 2/15/73 F 13 Not pregnant 389 855
161 2/15/73 F 4 Pregnant 348 765
164 2/26/73 F 7 Pregnant 389 855
167 2/28/73 F 6 Pregnant 386 85Q
171 3/5/73 F 11 Pregnant 434 255
173 3/6/73 F 15 Pregnant 366 805
174 3/7 /73 F 11 Pregnant 393 865
175 3/12/73 F 9 Pregnant 334 735
179 4/3/73 F 17 Pregnant 3%875
180 4/11/73 F 10 Pregnant 357 785
181 4/12/73 F 3 Pregnant,collected ~or yFA study 380 835
182 4/12/73 F 2?Pregnant,collected for VFA study 321 860
183 4/12/73 F 5 Pregnant,collected for VIlA s:tudy 382 840
184 4/13/73 F 7 Not pregnant,collected ~or VFA study 3%875
188 6/6/73 M Unk.275 6QS
(774 pounds)and for five outside moose during the same period it was
403 kg.(866)pounds.The mean weight of eight adult female enclosed moose
from January through April was 316 kg.(697 pounds)and of 13 outside
moose during the same period it was 381 kg.(838 pounds).Again the
sample size is small and not statistically comparable.Another factor
confounding comparisons between inside and outside moose is that five
of eight inside moose weighed in the January through April period
were from Pen 4 where we purposely maintain high densities of moose (25/square
mile in fall of 1972).This does indicate one of the possible effects of
these high densities.
Eleven weights from female moose over three years of age taken in
February and March at Fort Richardson,Alaska by Bader (1968)averaged
372 kg.(818 pounds).This is similar to the mean of 381 kg.(838 pounds)
for 13 adult female moose weighed outside the Moose Research Center
enclosures from January through April,1973.
Of the six moose from inside the pens for which serial weights are
available,two adult cows showed 25 and 29 percent weight gains from
summer to fall.Two adult bulls showed 8 and 15 percent losses,and
two cows showed 15 and 24 percent losses in winter (Table 11 and Fig.1).
These weight fluctuations are similar to the 15 to 24 percent reported
by Verme (1970)on captive moose.No serial weights from moose outside
of the pens are available.Therefore estimates of seasonal weight changes
can be misleading,but the mean weights of outside moose went from 403 kg.
(866 pounds)for the period from September through December to 381 kg.
(838 pounds)for the January through April period,a decrease of only 3
percent.
Morphometric measurements (total length,hind foot length,girth,height
standing and ear length)were taken from nearly all moose handled.Antler
measurements were made when applicable.These data will be analyzed in
combination with previously obtained morphometric measurements and weight
values when the computer program is completed.
Blood Values
The sources of 356 moose blood samples collected and analyzed during
this report period are listed in Table 13.The data obtained were placed
on a Game Biological Input Form (Fig.lA)and sent to the Computer
Services Division of the Alaska Department of Administration where they
were stored and programmed for retrieval with moose data previously obtained.
Findings in this report are based only on data collected during this
report -period.
A potential of 72 parameters could be listed for each individual
sampled.These were sorted by the computer based upon age class,sex
and month sampled.Table 14 lists mean blood chemistry and electrophoretic
values based on sex only and Table 15 lists these same values based
upon sex and age class.Tables 16,17,18,19,20 and 21 further classify
the blood values on the basis of month sampled.The standard deviation
and sample size are listed in each of the tables.The problem of dilution
of sample size with additional classification of samples is evident in
Tables 16 through 21.Unfortunately even additional classification is
necessary to effectively evaluate the applicability of these values to
moose management.
-28-
r-;
u
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n
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l ~
[
ru
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[
c
o
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[
[
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Table 13.Sources of moose blood and hair analyzed from May 1,1972
to July 1,1973.
Number of Specimens
Source Serum Whole Blood Hair
Trapping at MRC
Pen 1 36 36 30
Pen 2 39 39 34
Pen 3 17 17 14
Pen 4 31 31 30
Calf Pen 24 24 19
Outside Pens 74 74 59
Helicopter Immobilizing at MRC
Pen 1 6 6 7
Pen 2 8 8 8
Pen 3 6 6 6
Pen 4 7 7 7
Total Kenai Moose
Research Center 248 248 214
Tagging -GMU 15
Benchland (1972)60 60 54
Fort Richardson
Hunt (1973)44 44 44
Collected in
GMU 15 4 4 4
Total 356 356 316
-29-
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Table 14.Blood va1ues 1 based on sex from moose sampled May 1,1972 to
June 1,1973.
Female Male
Mean S.D.N Mean S.D.N---
Calcium 9.9 1.6 231 9.6 1.3 98
Phos.4.6 1.7 231 5.0 1.5 98
Glucose 122 40 231 118 41 98
B.U.N.13 10 231 16 11 98
Uric Acid 0.4 0.2 231 0.4 0.2 98
Cholesterol 83 18 231 76 16 98
Bilirubin 0.4 0.2 231 0.4 0.3 98
A1k.Phos.56 61 230 89 99 96
L.D.H.321 96 231 338 110 96
SGOT 175 58 231 171 58 98
Ca/P Ratio 7.0 1.3 231 6.7 1.3 99
Total Protein 7.0 1.3 231 6.7 1.3 99
Albumin %56.7 5.4 231 55.1 6.1 99
Globulin %43.3 5.4 231 44.9 6.1 99
Alpha 1 %5.0 1.6 231 4.9 1.6 99
Alpha 2 %7.8 1.6 231 8.8 2.9 99
Beta %10.1 2.1 231 10.1 2.4 99
Gamna %20.4 3.9 231 21.0 4.8 99
A/G Ratio 1.34 0.3 231 1.27 0.31 99
1-Values expressed as mg./100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and
total protein as gm./100 mI.
-31-
Table 15.Blood va1ues1 based on sex and age from moose sampled,May 1,1973 to June 1,1973.
Age Class (Months)
o to 12 13 to 24 25 to 36 37 to 96 97 to 144 144 +
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Hale Female Male
N =11 N =11 N =11 N =14 N =31 N =26 N =93 N =39 N =60 N =7 N =25 N =1
Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.Mean S.D.----------------------
Calcium .8.7 3.1 8.9 1.6 9.6 0.7 9.4 1.7 9.6 2.2 9.2 1.4 9.9 1.6 10.1 .6 10.1 1.3 9.9 .3 10.4 .8 6.8
Phosphorus 6.3 3.4 5.3 2.1 3.4 1.4 5.9 1.5 4.9 1.7 5.0 1.8 4.9 1.8 4.7 1.1 4.1 1.2 4.9 1.0 4.3 1.0 4.1
Glucose 112 74 105 51 145 38 121 41 121 45 103 39 116 36 132 39 129 41 124 22 126 24 67
B.U.N.5.5 3.8 11.5 9.3 10.4 5.6 20.0 10.0 11.4 9.7 17.0 12.3 14.9 11.1 16.4 12.0 14.5 8.8 11.9 5.5 10.8 5.4 3
I Uric Acid 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.4
0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.3
VJ Cholesterol 75 27 73 23 71 7 77 20 80 20 76 16 85 18 78 13 87 15 77 7 89 16 49N
I Bilirubin 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.5 0~4 0.1
Alka.Phos.70 47 167 144 86 93 52 26 70 55 58 58 48 34 114 112 64 93 22 7 34 19 30
LDH 368 165 375 196 335 93 291 95 334 99 355 103 315 98 338 90 323 88 333 50 295 53 179
sGOr 198 67 211 82 207 56 124 50 163 46 191 55 165 57 166 45 192 63 161 42 164 40 92
Ca/P ratio 1.61 0.61 1.83 .57 3.42 1.70 1.66 .40 2.19 0.66 2.07 .73 2.29 1.03 2.29 .66 2.68 .93 2.23 .60 2.53 .63 1.66
Total Protein 5.0 1.9 5.3 1.8 6.5 0.6 6.6 1.4 6.6 1.2 6.4 1.2 7.1 1.3 7.2 .6 7.2 1.0 7.9 .5 7.3 .8 4.7
Albumin %58.0 4.8 55.6 8.1 60.5 5.8 54.9 6.1 57.9 4.2 56.5 4.7 55.2 5.6 55.1 5.5 57.3 5.3 47.9 6.9 57.2 5.3 62.0
Globulin %42.0 4.8 44.4 8.1 39.5 5.8 45.1 6.1 42.1 4.2 43.5 4.7 44.8 5.6 44.9 5.5 42.7 5.3 52.1 6.9 42.8 5.3 38.0
Alpha 1 %5.3 1.6 5.1 1.4 5.3 1.6 5.6 1.0 5.1 1.7 5.2 1.6 5.1 1.6 4.7 1.6 4.6 1.8 3.6 2.1 5.0 1.4 4.0
Alpha 2 %8.0 2.6 10.7 6.1 7.3 1.3 8.5 1.4 7.7 1.5 8.3 2.1 8.1 1.6 8.6 2.3 7.6 1.6 10.1 2.7 7.5 1.4 6.0
Beta %12.0 6.0 10.9 2.5 9.5 2.4 10.3 1.5 10.2 1.6 9.8 1.6 10.1 1.8 10.1 3.1 9..6 1.5 10.0 5.8 10.2 1.6 10.0
Gamma %16.8 2.9 17.6 4.1 17.4 3.9 20.7 .5.1 19.2 3.0 19.9 3.1 21.5 3.9 21.5 4.2 20.8 3.6 28.4 5.7 20.2 3.7 18.0
A/G ratio 1.38 0.3 1.31 .35 1.58 0.33 1.24 .28 1.38 .27 1.31 .27 1.27 .31 1.28 .32 1.37 .29 .95 .23 1.37 .32 1.61
1.Values expressed as mg./100 mI.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./100 mI.
r-r ,---rJ ~~rcTJ CO C.LJ t ....U rID L·...J c-:-J r---:,..-----"
1 l.'l~,J
~II Cl.
Table 16.Mean blood va1ues 1 by month sampled from moose 0 -12 months old.(May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).
HONTH
JAJ.~.FEB.MAR.Al.'R.MAY JUNE JULY AUG.SEPT.OCT.NOV.DEC.
F(7)*H(6)!~F M(l)F :1(1)F M F M F M F H F(l)H(2)F M F(l)~F(2)M(l)
Calcium 7.8 7.9 8.5 10.8 11.2 10.9 10.6 9.6 9.0
Phosphorus 6.7 5.1 3.6 7.0 8.1 7.2 4.3 4.9 3.1
Glucose 88 80 63 137 170 189 135 157 98
B.U.N.3 6 19 15 10 17 10 8 25
Uric Acid .3 .4 .5 .5 .4 .5 .4 .4 .5
Cholesterol 65 59 60 90 120 106 90 78 87
Bilirubin .2 .4 .4 .5 .4 .7 .4 .5 .5
I Ak.Phos.49 138 300 77 164 296 140 59 45wwLDH337278236300700 675 277 355 570I
SGOT 215 216 300 114 139 158 155 189 300
CalP ratio 1.42 1.72 2.36 1.54 1.38 1.53 2.47 1.97 2.90
Total Protein 4.2 4.1 5.6 7.2 7.2 7.1 6.9 6.2 6.4
Albumin %55.9 51.5 59.0 63.0 56.0 61.0 66.0 62.5 59.0
Globulin %44.1 48.5 41.0 37.0 44.0 39.0 34.0 37.5 .41.0
Alpha 1 %5.6 5.7 6.0 3.0 6.0 4.5 3.0 5.0 4.0
Alpha 2 %8.1 12.0 9.0 11.0 9.0 8.5 7.0 7.5 9.0
Beta %13.4 11.5 9.0 8.0 11.0 12.0 9.0 9.0 10.0
Gamma %17.0 19.3 18.0 14.0 19.0 14.0 15.0 16.0 18.0
AIG ratio 1.22 1.13 1.43 1.73 1.21 1.59 2.0 1.69 1.37
*Sample size
1.Values expressed as mg./100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./100 mI.
Table 17.Mean blood va1ues 1 by month sampled from moose 13 -24 months old.(May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).
MONTH
JAN.FEB.MAR.APR.MAY JUNE JULY AUG..s.En...QCL...NOV.DEC
F(l)*M(3)F(2)M(l)F(3)M(l)F(2)M(J)F(3)!:!!.M(l)!.M(l)!.M(l)F M F M !.M(l)F M(2)
Calcium 10.3 6.9 9.7 10.6 9.3 9.5 10.0 9.6 9.6 10.2 11.1 9.7 10.4 10.0
Phosphorus 3.1 4.8 3.5 7.4 2.6 6.3 3.9 4.7 4.0 6.2 7.4 6.2 7.2 6.8
Glucose 118 79 152 140 150 140 173 153 126 102 110 140 100 133
B.U.N.14 12 17 33 13 33 8 12 4 20 23 29 21 24
Uric Acid .5 .2 .3 1.4 .2 .1 .4 .2 .5 .5 .4 .5 .5 .5
Cholesterol 85 54 73 101 67 95 73 73 66 83 85 105 55 87
Bilirubin 1.1 .2 .7 .2 .4 .3 .5 .4 .2 .3 .2 .2
.4 .7
Alk.Phos.23 37 179 57 25 42 114 41 86 126 -78 40 47
I LOH 300 188 332 250 395 295 348 305 277 335 310 375 260 384w
-l'-SGOT 156 142 260 77 234 95 214 148 157 90 98 95 90 158ICa/P ratio 3.32 1.49 2.86 1.4::,4.48 1.51 3.52 2.21 2.70 1.65 1.50 1.56 1.44 1.51
Total Protein 7.1 4.9 6.9 8.4 6.8 7.6 6.6 6.8 5.9 6.0 6.5 7.1 7.0 7.2
Albumin %64.0 53.0 64.5 43.0 54.3 57.0 62.5 55.0 61.7 61.0 61.0 51.0 53.0 60.5
Globulin %36.0 47.0 35.5 57.e 45.7 43.0 37.5 45.0 38.3 39.0 39.0 49.0 47.0 39.5
Alpha 1 %5.0 5.3 4.5 5.C 5.3 5.0 5.0 6.7 6.0 4.0 6.0 7.0 5.0 5.0
.A~pha 2 %8.0 8.3 6.5 11.C 9.0 8.0 6.5 8.0 6.3 7.0 8.0 8.0 10.0 8.0
Beta %7.0 10.0 8.0 10.C 11.3 10.0 9.5 11.3 9.3 12.0 9.0 10.0 10.5 9.0
Gamma %16.0 23.3 16.0 30.C 20.0 20.0 16.0 18.6 17.0 15.0 17.0 23.0 22.0 12.5
A/G ratio 1.73 1.17 1.87 .79 1.24 1.33 1.70 1.19 1.62 1.68 1.54 1.06 1.13 1.48
*Sample size.
1.Values expressed as mg./100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./100 mI.
r----:Cl r-~r:J ~J.J [."_d ..U ~....,...)
r---n1l...__...,L1 L~c=J ~
J r---:~,..J ..
Table 18.Mean blood va1ues1 by month sampled from moose 25 -36 months old.(May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).
MONTH
JAt\!.FEB.MAR.APR.MAY JUNE JULY AUG.SEPT.OCT.NOV.DEC.
F(4)*M(6)F(l)M(l)F(2)M(2)F(5)11(2)F(3)M(l)F(2)M(4)F(2)M(3)F(3)M(l)F(3)!!F(4)M(4).£M(l)F(2)M(l)
Calcium 6.9 7.4 10.0 9.1 10.0 9.0 11.0 9.8 7.1 9.2 10.1 9.9 10.1 10.1 9.2 9.6 10.7 10.5 10.0 9.6 10.3 9.8
Phosphorus 6.4 6.3 4.5 4.8 3.2 4.0 4.5 3.2 4.4 4.2 5.5 5.2 5.0 4.7 3.8 4.3 5.6 5.2 4.9 5.5 5.3 4.3
Glucose 66 75 176 86 124 91 104 115 118 122 138 91 72 102 111 90 182 169 155 135 113 97
B.U.N.4 8 15 29 10 30 4 12 4 6 31 32 20 23 22 31 21 7 8 8 6 9
Uric Acid .3 .3 .3 .6 .4 .6 .4 .5 .6 .6 .5 .6 .6 .6 .5 .6 .5 .5 .7 .3 .4 .5
Cholesterol 49 59 65 87 63 73 78 63 72 75 91 82 97 100 94 97 109 92 79 80 74 72
Bilirubin .2 .4 .6 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .2 .2 .7 .4 .6 .3 .5 .8 ;5 .3 .4 .5 .7 .5
A1k.Phos.57 28 50 32 42 36 66 49 45 20 95 63 113 183 171 142 66 37 27 35 35 35
I LDH 280 310 315 375 319 403 257 345 269 355 378 430 430 308 380 465 489 368 384 252 246 250
....,
V1 SGCT 175 188 204 243 197 259 168 274 168 220 177 185 156 137 106 160 166 133 173 160 202 163I
Ca/p ratio 1.36 1.47 2.22 1.90 3.12 2.39 2.50 3.29 2.38 2.19 1.59 1.99 2.05 2.21 2.58 2.23 1.93 2.45 2.19 1.75 1.94 2.28
Total Protein 4.2 4.7 6.4 6.2 6.4 6.1 6.5 6.3 6.3 5.5 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.3 6.9 7.3 7.7 7.8 7.5 6.6 7.1 6.8
Albumin %55.5 54.3 67.0 57.0 65.0 61.5 59.8 60.5 60.3 55.0 53.5 58.0 57.0 54.3 54.3 50.0 58.0 54.3 55.7 61.0 60.5 57.0
Globulin %44.5 45.7 33.0 43.0 35.0 38.5 40.2 39.5 39.7 45.0 46.5 42.0 43.0 45.7 45.7 50.0 42.0 45.7 44.3 39.0 39.5 43.0
Alpha 1 %5.5 5.7 3.0 9.0 5.5 5.0 5.6 5.5 5.3 7.0 6.0 6.0 5.5 5.0 5.0 4.0 5.0 4.3 3.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
Alpha 2 %9.0 8.5 7.0 7.0 6.0 7.0 7.8 7.0 5.6 10.0 8.0 7.2 9.0 8.0 7.6 10.0 8.0 8.5 10.2 8.0 7.0 7.0
Beta %10.5 10.1 7.0 9.0 9.0 8.5 9.6 8.0 9.0 10.0 11.5 8.8 10.0 10.6 11.3 14.0 11.3 10.5 9.5 9.0 10.5 9.0
Gamma %19.3 21.3 16.0 18.0 14.5 17.5 17.0 18.5 19.3 19.0 22.0 19.0 19.0 22.3 22.0 22.0 18.0 22.8 18.5 18.0 18.0 23.0
A/G ratio 1.23 1.20 2.15 1.30 1.86 1.62 1.42 1.58 1.54 1.15 1.16 1.40 1.20 1.17 1.20 1.03 1.35 1.21 1.29 1.55 1.59 1.30
*Sample size
1.Values expressed as mg./100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./100 mI.
Table 19.Mean blood va1ues1 by month sampled from moose 37 -96 months old.(May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).
MONTH DEC.J AJ.'<•FEB.MAR.APR.MAY JUNE JULY AUG.SEPT.OCT.NOV.
F(16)*H(4)F(3)M(2)F(6)~F(16)M(4)F(3)~F(8)M(4)F(7)M(5)F(7)M(l)F(4)~F(15)M(13)F(4)M(5)F(4)M(l)
Calcium 7.7 9.9 9.6 9.4 10.0 10.5 10.0 9.2 10.3 10.5 10.5 10.4 10.1 10.0 10.1 10.9 10.3 9.8 9.4 9.9 10.3
Phosphorus 5.9 4.1 4.8 5.6 3.7 4.5 4.2 3.2 5.4 4.3 5.2 5.4 4.5 5.3 4.3 5.4 5.1 5.3 3.5 3.9 5.1
Glucose 71 107 143 110 132 113 124 126 124 169 114 120 115 75 145 146 137 110 150 115 115
B.U.N.6 13 19 25 16 7 4 7 31 39 30 30 26 10 25 10 10 16 11 16 13
Uric Acid .3 .4 .6 .6 .4 .2 .3 .5 .6 .8 .5 .5 .6 .4 .4 .5 .6 .4 .3 .5 .5
Cholesterol 62 72 91 80 86 76 71 84 89 86 100 95 101 95 102 94 72 88 77 80 76
Bilirubin .3 .5 ..5 .5 .5 ;4 .3 .4 .6 .7 .5 .5 .5 .2 .5 .3 .4 .6 .9 .5 .7
A1k.Phos.46 83 39 284 49 40 85 33 90 196 69 275 61 275 37 44 31 20 68 26 200
LDH 300 322 261 306 303 270 260 310 380 408 341 411 446 342 360 347 331 268 342 284 218
I SGOT 184 201 194 199 226 172 186 207 147 161 126 156 134 123 161 134 139 164 201 194 158
~Ca/P ratio 1.62 2.68 2.17 1.70 3.05 2.79 2.55 3.25 1.98 2.56 2.08 1.96 2.40 1.89 2.38 2.12 2.07 1.93 2.85 2.80 2.02
I
Total
Protein 5.5 6.7 7.4 6.7 7.1 6.7 6.2 6.0 7.5 7.6 7.6 7.8 7.9 7.4 8.3 7.9 7.4 8.3 6.9 7.6 7.6
Albumin %55.6 55.2 52.6 56.5 60.3 56.5 58.5 57.6 53.6 53.5 51.3 54.0 50.9 61.0 53.8 55.9 52.9 55.0 58.4 57.0 57.0
Globulin %44.4 44.8 47.3 43.5 39.7 43.5 41.5 42.3 46.3 46.5 48.7 46.0 49.1 39.0 46.2 44.1 47.1 45.0 41.6 43.0 43.0
Alpha 1 %5.3 6.0 7.3 6.0 5.0 6.1 7.0 5.0 5.3 5.3 5.9 4.8 5.1 4.0 4.8 3.6 3.7 4.3 3.4 5.3 5.0
Alpha 2 %7.9 8.0 8.0 7.5 7.1 7.4 7.2 8.0 7.3 8.0 9.3 8.4 8.7 7.0 8.8 8.6 10.0 8.3 7.6 7.5 8.0
Beta %9.9 8.5 9.0 7.5 9.1 9.2 9.2 12.3 10.4 10.7 10.4 11.0 10.3 10.0 11.3 11.3 10.0 8.5 12.6 9.0 7.0
Gamma %21.2 22.5 23.0 22.5 18.3 20.9 18.3 17.3 23.1 22.5 23.1 21.6 24.9 18.0 21.0 20.6 23.3
24.0 18.0 21.3 23.0
A/G ratio 1.27 1.21 1.11 1.29 1.55 1.34 1.50 1.46 1.18 1.16 1.06 1.33 1.04 1.61 1.19 1.31 1.17 1.34 1.45 1.35 1.30
*Sample size
L Values expressed as mg./100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./lOO m1.
r---"~rJ n--:~CD CD [Mn L.,J CD L.LJ L.~JL 'l;,;.J
,----.--.,c--J c=-l.
Table 20.Mean blood values1 by month sampled from moose 97 to 144 months old.(May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).
MONTH
JAN.FEB.MAR.APR.MAY JUNE JULY AUG.SEPT.OCT.NOV.DEC.
F(8)*~F(S)M F(5)M F(6)M F(2)!i F(2)M F(4)M F(l)M F (4)M F(l7)M(7)F(4)M F(2)M
Calcium 8.4 9.9 10.1 10.1 9.9 9.9 11.1 10.9 10.3 10.6 9.9 10.1 10.4
Phosphorus 4.1 4.4 4.1 2.7 3.1 4.5 4.7 4.7 4.0 4.8 4.9 3.1 4.1
Glucose 83 127 104 127 120 110 119 115 163 150 123 158 130
B.U.N.10 19 18 11 4 22 29 28 29 9 12 12 12
Uric Acid .3 .5 .4 .3 .7 .7 .5 .5 .4 .5 .4 .6 .2
Cholesterol 65 78 85 80 100 90 88 97 108 93 77 86 90
Bilirubin .4 .6 .6 .3 .4 .5 .5 .3 .6 .4 .4 .8 .7
Ak.Phos.25 110 40 37 38 208 57 56 219 44 22 28 90
LDH 324 321 277 320 222 342 305 400 400 344 333 277 347
I SGOT 204 254 232 348 138 121 138 130 171 179 161 177 179
~Calp ratio 2.14 2.48 2.50 3.99 3.34 2.23 2.42 2.32 2.77 2.40 2.23 3.67 2.56
I
Total Protein 5.6 6.8 7.2 6.8 7.0 7.3 7.9 8.5 8.2 7.7 7.9 7.6 7.0
Albumin %55.0 58.6 59.2 56.2 60.5 53.5 53.7 46.0 59.8 57.5 47.0 59.0 64.5
Globulin %45.0 41.4 40.8 43.8 39.5 46.5 46.3 54.0 40.2 42.5 52.1 41.0 35.5
Alpha 1 %5.8 6.6 4.2 5.3 6.0 4.0 5.8 5.0 3.3 3.5 3.6 4.5 3.5
Alpha 2 %7.0 7.2 6.0 8.3 7.0 9.0 7.0 8.0 7.0 8.5 10.1 7.8 7.0
Beta %9.5 8.2 8.8 8.7 8.5 9.5 10.7 12.0 11.2 10.4 10.0 9.0 8.0
Gamma %22.8 19.4 21.6 21.5 18.0 24.5 23.0 29.0 18.5 20.1 28.4 19.8 12.0
A!G ratio 1.26 1.36 1.48 1.29 1.53 1.17 1.18 .85 1.51 1.39 .95 1.49 1.88
*Sample size
1.Values expressed as mg./100 m1.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm./100 m1.
Table 2l.1 (May 1,1972 to June 1,1973).Mean blood values by month sampled from moose over 144 months old.
MONTH
JAN.FEB.MAR.APR.MAY JUNE JULY AUG..:..SEPT.OCT.NOV.DEC.
F(6)M(l)F(2)~F(4)~F(l)~F M F M F(l)~!~F(l)~FO)~F(l)~F(2)M
Calcium 10.2 6.8 10.1 10.0 9.6 10.7 11.7 10.7 10.3 10.2
Phosphorus 4.8 4.1 4.7 3.9 2.3 4.5 5.2 4.7 2.9 3.3
Glucose 112 67 126 122 142 92 107 136 110 166
BUN 11 3 16 13 2 19 15 8 4 11
Uric Acid .3 .3 .5 .4 .1 .5 .5 .5 .4 .3
Cholesterol 82 49 78 77 77 100 105 104 83 83
Bilirubin .6 .1 .8 .5 .7 .2 .4 .2 .6 1.2
Alk.Phos.30 30 79 34 42 44 25 32 17 18
I LDH 270 179 332 276 282 323 255 330 240 294
w SGOT 172 92 214 196 161 102 110 132 152 20200Ca/p ratio 2.22 1.66 2.16 2.60 4.18 2.38 2.34I2.25 3.55 3.24
Total Protein 6.7 4.7 6.7 6.9 7.0 7.9 8.3 7.8 7.3
7.6
Albumin %57.7 62.0 60.5 60.5 58.0 51.0 54.0 52.7 58.0 65.5
Globulin %42.3 38.0 39.5 39.5 42.0 49.0 46.0 47.3 42.0 34.5
Alpha 1 %5.5 4.0 4.5 5.3 6.0 6.0 5.0 4.6 5.0 3.5
Alpha 2 %6.8 6.0 6.5 6.5 6.0 9.0 9.0 8.9 8.0 7.0
Beta %9.8 10.0 8.0 9.8 10.0 11.0 14.0 11.4 8.0 9.0
Ganuna %20.2 18.0 20.5 39.5 20.0 23.0 19.0 22.6 21.0 15.0
A/G ratio 1.39 1.61 1.54 1.57 1.41 1.03 1.13 1.12 1.35 1.94
'I<Sample size
1.Values expressed as mg.1100 ml.,except as designated otherwise and total protein as gm.1100 ml.
rTJ Cl ~I r-;--:
l,..__....J r:J [i"!]co c=JJ ~_...J LJ.IJ!Li._...J L....J ~l.__.~.------,
_1
.----------,LJ.
The blood values listed in Tables 14 through 21 are from this report
period.Statistical analysis will not be done until all samples,previously
collected,and those to be collected under this job are compiled.The
compilation should provide adequate sample sizes for additional classification
by reproductive status,location,rectal temperature class,condition
class and drug used.
Listing the values on the basis of month sampled (Tables 16 through
21)indicates periods of small sample sizes and provides a guide to assist
in efforts to obtain certain classes of animals at certain periods of
time to improve the distribution of sampling.
Excitability Stress,Body Temperature and Blood Values
Of the parameters used to reflect the influence of excitability
related to trapping,capture,immobilization and handling of moose rectal
temperature was most efficiently monitored.The utilization of body
temperature for this purpose was known to be effective;however,other
parameters such as heart rate,respiratory rate,and some blood physiologic
parameters were investigated and correlations were made utilizing body
temperature as the standard (Table 22).
The lack of significant correlations between rectal temperature or
rectal temperature classes and heart rate,respiratory rate,L D H,
S GOT and blood glucose indicates that continued utilization of rectal
temperature was our most reliable indicator of excitability stress in
moose.The classification and use of rectal temperature classes
(Table 2)should be a major criteria in classifying moose physiologic
values.
Each moose handled was subjectively classified into an excitability
class from one to five.To assist in determining how accurately we were
judging these individuals,excitability classes were correlated with
rectal temperatures.There was a significant correlation (r =.796),
indicating that our subjective evaluation was adequate,but could be
improved.
To obtain a base line value for the rectal temperature of the moose,
only excitability class was used.Class 1 (not excited)and Class 2 (slightly
excited)moose were sorted from the data.The resulting mean rectal temperature
was 38.7 C (SD =0.42),based upon a sample of 109.The mean rectal temperature
of 234 moose sampled,representing all excitability classes,was 39.2 C
(SD =1.05).The "norma l"rectal temperature for moose,based on animals
in excitability Classes 1 and 2,ranges between 3H.3 and 39.1 c.
Base Line Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate
The attempt to utilize heart rate and respiratory rates as
possible excitability classification criteria,made it possible to establish
base line values for moose under a variety of conditions.The mean
heart rate of 218 moose was 85.4 beats per minute (S.D.=23.53)and
the mean respiratory rate of 217 moose was 31.6 breaths per minute
(SD =1911).Due to the lack of significant correlation of heart rate
and respiratory rate with rectal temperature and excitability class,
no further classification was attempted.The high standard deviation
-39-
Table 22.Correlations of body temperature and body temperature classes l
with selected physiologic parameters.
Independent Dependent Sample Correlation
Variable (x)Variable (y)Size Coefficient
Rectal Heart 135 0.384
Temperature Rate
Rectal Respiratory 133 0.487
Temperature Rate
Heart Respiratory 124 0.289
Rate Rate
Rectal Temperature L.D.H.2 153 0.260
Class
Rectal Temperature S.G.O.T.3 154 0.089
Class
Rectal Temperature Blood 154 0.183
Class Glucose
1.Based upon Table 2 in this report.
2.L.D.H.=Lactic Dehydrogenase.
3.S.G.O.T.=Serum Glutamic Oxalacetic Transaminase.
-40-
[:
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r:
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C
L
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C
t
L
fo'
L
L
L
L
indicates considerable variability in both heart rate and respiratory
rate.A subjective evaluation of the variability indicates that both
are responsive to excitability and stress,but not in the same time
relationship,and therefore are not directly correlated with each other or with
body temperature.Both heart rate and respiratory rate are more responsive
to external stimuli than body temperature and therefore are less usable
as monitoring parameters for classifying excitability.The responsiveness
of heart rate to environmental stresses would make it a useful criterion
to monitor more discrete responses via radio telemetry.The utilization of
heart rate and respiratory rate radio-telemetry would provide more useful
base line values for each,as conditions at time of monitoring could be
more critically evaluated.
Hair
From May 1972 to May 1973,316 hair samples from moose were collected
and analyzed.The sources of these samples are listed in Table 13.Table
23 lists the results of these analyses by month collected,by location
(MRC,outside MRC,and other),and by sex.This order of classification was
selected,as it appeared that month sampled was the most influential source
of variation.The small sample size,resulting from further classifying
samples by location and sex,negated the possibility of statistically
testing the resulting values for significant differences;however,it was
possible to observe trends.
The effect of seasons on the selected values is apparent and has been
reported on a preliminary,basis from this study (Flynn and Franzmann,1973).
Most of the values (Zn,Cu,Mn,Na,K,and Cd)peak in October (Figs.2,
3,5,7,8 and 9).Calcium peaks in August (Fig.6).and magnesium in
September (Fig.4).Iron levels were highest in April (Fig.lO)~and
lead peaked in November (Fig.11).Most of the values reflected the peak
of condition of moose in the fall in a general way.It should be noted
that the calcium peak in August was followed by a rapid decline when other
values were high.Since antler development,with its high calcium requirements,
is culminating in August,it was suspected that this was influencing the
August peak;however,from Table 23 it is evident that the females also
attained their highest hair calcium values in August.Magnesium levels
followed a similar pattern to calcium with a peak in September.The pattern
of iron values does not correspond to the other values and the significance
of this is not known.Lead,being an environmental contaminant with no known
physiologic function,has a seasonal peak corresponding to improved condition
of moose,but on a delayed basis being in November.
The mean values of all elements,except iron,dropped during the winter
and early spring,with some variation in time along with monthly
fluctuations.The low values did not occur during a particular month,as
was experienced with the high values in October.If these values reflect
condition of the animal,it would be expected that the low period would
not be as consistent as the high period since moose would in general
respond to good foraging,as the seasons provide,more uniformly
than to the periods of poor foraging which introduces many more variables.
Hair samples were collected nearly every month from our two tame
moose (Raquel and Wally)who were receiving supplemental feed in the form
of commercial calf pellets (18 percent protein).Table 24 lists the results
-41-
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Table 23.Mean monthly hair element values from moose at MRC and outside MRC.May,1972 to May,1973.
Parts per million (PPM)
Month Location ~Sample Size Zn Q!lJg .Mn.~.Jia .K .Q£.li Pb
May MRC F 10 65.6 3.5 38.9 3.8 332.4 638.5 261.3 0.3 32.9 5.5
MRC M 1 63.9 1.9 35.7 1.9 360.9 562.0 219.0 0.1 39.5 7.1
Outside M &F 0
Total 11 61.0 3.4 38.3 3.6 335.0 633.5 257.5 .3 33.5 5.6
Winter kill calves
(Kenai Peninsula)17 34.6 5.6 89.2 15.7 429.5 407.1 336.3 0.7 40.0 7.8
June MRC F 10 44.2 3.5 28.4 0.6 255.0 475.9 873.8 0.4 59.0 4.9
I MRC M 6 47.9 3.1 27.0 1.1 253.2 473.6 633.4 0.2 44.2 5.3"'""Outside F 0IOutsideM1 57.4 2.9 29.4 2.9 279.4 287.5 229.4 0.9 36.7 4.7
Total 17 45.6 3.2 27.9 0.8 269.6 475.0 783.7 0.4 53.5 5.1
July MRC F 11 38.6 3.0 25.3 0.1 216.4 595.6 911.4 0.3 50.5 8.0
MRC M 6 32.2 4.5 17.5 0.0 319.2 542.1 1084.1 0.2 53.2 8.9
Outside F &M 0
Total 17 37.8 3.5 22.5 .06 252.7 576.7 972.4 0.3 51.5 8.3
August MRC F 9 50.0 3.8 97.8 .06 763.1 382.3 794.0 0.7 32.9 5.5
MRC M 2 60.0 6.6 140.9 .1 688.5 459.9 1098.7 0.3 39.4 7.7
Outside F &M 0
Total 11 51.8 4.3 105.7 0.06 744.6 408.6 894.4 0.6 34.1 5.6
Table 23.(continued)Hean monthly hair element values from moose at MRC and outside MRC.Hay,1972 to Hay,1973.
Parts per million (PPM)
Month Location Sex Sample Size Zn Cu ~Mn Ca Na K Cd Fa Ph
Sept.MRC F 11 80.4 i3.5 147.5 1.5 515.0 691.4 1683.9 1.2 41.6 9.2
HRC H 0
Outside F 1 66.1 11.7 171.2 0.0 521.4 964.9 426.1 3.5 44.4 8.0
Outside M 0
Total 12 78.4 13.3 174.5 1.4 515.5 714.2 1579.1 1.4 41.9 9.1
Oct.MRC M 3 74.6 15.0 86.2 6.9 192.8 1149.0 2251.8 1.5 48.7 7.2
MRC M 3 107.3 12.3 104.5 4.3 260.5 893.7 1708.5 0.4 56.0 11.8
Outside F 3 78.1 14.4 82.5 4.9 205.6 1267.5 2384.6 3.0 38.4 17.4
Outside M
Tagging F 34 92.7 14.4 134.1 13.6 226.9 1295.4 2351.7 1.3 47.7 12.8
(Bench1and)M 24 77 .3 15.0 113.0 11.6 225.0 1217.9 1848.9 1.6 54.3 11.5
Total 67 89.1 14.7 120.S 12.6 225.4 1235.4 2090.4 1.5 51.4 12.3
Nov.MRC F 8 73.2 15.1 88A 5.6 210.8 1295.8 1095.7 0.8 39.8 16.8
I MRC M 6 68.8 8.9:-68.2 4.5 188.4 1006.8 79.8.4 0.6 43.5 8.7+:-
00 Outside F &M 0I
Total 14 71.4 11.3 79.7 5.1 201.1 1172.0 968.3 0.7 41.4 13.3
Dec.MRC F 5 61.2 1.8 65.4 7S 212.1 1295.3 440.7 0.4 44.6 9.5
MRC M 3 64.3 2.4 56.5 6·.2 237.3 1230.3 349.1 0.2 67.0 4.3
Outside F 6 61.3 1.5 70.9 4.5:218.6 1308.4 602.8 0.4 49.8 13.5
Outside M 1 65.4 1.1 51.4 13.6 222.0 999.9 345.8 0.7 38.8 15.4
Total 15 64.5 1.4 62.3 6.5'220.6 1202.6 468.1 0.3 52.6 11.0
Jan.MRC F 7 66.0 4.·1 51.3 1.7 187.1 1319.0 332.9 0.0 62.8 5.0
MRC M 6 63.5 2.7 53S 2.0 245.8 976.8 296.6 0.0 52.9 3.7
Outside F 4 67.2 2.8 54.8 0.8 188.9 1228.1 388.5 0.0 49.1 2.8
Outside M 2 71.2 3.5 60.9_2.S 195.8 1051.4 338.2 0.0 61.1 1.8
Total 19 61.6 2.5 52.8 1.6 205.5 1080.4 315.6 0.0 55.2 4.0
Ft.Richardson Hunt
Total F &M 44 65.2 7.1 76.1 1.6-280.4 1164.3 406.2 0.5 56.1 5.1
r--1 CJ ~rr1 CJ Ul.nLJ lL.J rr:;-~[~~,~--'1 r-----."
I i J _J\.~L ...•..."...j
Table 23.(continued)Mean monthly hair element values from moose at MRC and outside MRC.May,1972 to May,1973.
Parts per million (PPM)
Month Location Sex Sample Size Zn Cu ~Mn Ca Na K Cd Fa Pb
Feb.MRC F 6 79.3 4.5 45.7 1.3 290.3 864.4 374.8 1.8 56.9 4.2
MRC M 6 81.9 4.5 53.0 0.5 305.8 776.4 401.0 1.6 52.9 6.2
Outside F 9 82.8 5.4 49.0 0.4 298.2 864.8 319.3 0.0 52.7 5.3
Outside M 0
Total 21 74.1 4.4 48.4 0.6 297.9 849.2 366.6 0.8 54.0 5.2
March MRC F 5 87.5 6.2 53.3 2.0 253.9 726.6 477.8 0.2 60.6 4.5
MRC M 2 55.6 7.5 54.3 LO 244.2 818.5 263.0 0.0 55.7 7.0
Outside F 13 82.1 8.3 48.3 1.~238.2 820.4 427.0 0.2 66.3 5.7
I Outside M 0.j>o
\0 Total 20 76.4 7.8 49".8 1.9_240.1 802.6 428.2 0.2 64.5 5.5IWinterKill
Calves 4 70.5 3.3 34.6-0.9.-224.5 666.7 305.1 0.1 54.1 5.1
April MRC F 16 79.4 7.8 47.6 1.9 283.4 628.7 440.3 0.1 70.6 5.9
MRC M 3 72.3 5.3 23.1 1.4 242.6 678.1 400.6 0.5 59.6 7.0
Outside F 7 66.8 ~.9:.45.0 1.4 223.6 606.2 420.2 0.1 66.7 4.2
Outside M 1 52.2 9...3 50.4 1.7 2g2.2 538.2 414.2 0.3 30.7 0.0
Total 27 74.2 8.1 44.8 1.8 252.4 639.1 433.0 0.1 66.8 5.6
Table 24.Mean monthly hair element values from tame moose at MRC.June,1972 to May,1973.
Parts per million (PPM)
Month Moose Zn Cu Mg Mn Ca Na K Cd Fe Pb
June Wally 60.7 4.9 51.0 0.0 609.2 474.5 1135.9 0.1 58.3 7.3
Raque1 41.3 2.0 31.5 0.2 194.9 384.8 460.6 0.1 55.5 3.5
July Wally 71.4 2.7 90.7 0.0 645.6 1074.2 2035.7 0.1 40.7 16.5
Raque1 70.5 4.5 122.7 0.0 468.2 862.5 1506.8 0.0 43.6 10.5
August Wally 54.5 6.5 91.5 1.5 453.6 700.4 1510.9 0.0 42.2 18.3
Raque1 89.3 8.0 144.0 0.4 397.3 665.3 1064.0 0.0 38.4 14.4
I
lJ1
0 October Raque1 83.7 14.6 99.9 2.9 301.3 809.6 401.7 2.5 49.8 14.2I
November Wally 72.9 20.8 72.9 6.·9:161.1 1472.2 652.8 1.4 43.8 21.5
Raque1 73.8 16.9 103.4 4.2 164.6 1185.7 2305.9 0.8 51.1 12.2
December Wally 70.7 0.0 55.6 7.1 247.5 1414.1 320.7 0.0 60.6 9.1
Raque1 69.7 0.0 62.2 6.3 201.5 1278.6 417.9 0.0 59.7 16.4
January Wally 73.7 2.3 69:.1 0.9 216.6 1359:.7 300.0 0.0 70.5 5.1
Raque1 73.5 La 73.5 2.0 189:..8 1204.1 534.7 0.0 93.1 6.9
February Wally 75.0 6.4 63.4 1.0 201.7 1142.6 331.7 0.0 83.5 6.9
Raqlle1 76.7 0.8 78.3 1.8 336.6 1079.•3 494.0 0.0 91.4 9.2
March Wally 70.4 10.7 33.5 G.CI 247.0 839.9 344.8 0.0 65.3 8.4
Raque1 85.6 7.5 45.0 1.6 300.0 828.8 615.6 0.0 80.0 1.1
April Wally 52.3 0.9 58.9 0.2 192.5 992.4 396.4 0.0 60.9 5.5
Raque1 84.9 9.•6 65.7 4.2 234.6 820.5 610.6 0.0 94.3 2.0
r-----,r-J ~en ~[li0 Lt ...J 11,.._j L..j\~.C'J :---:c=J.!..-;)i .;L ........1 _J
of these hair analyses.It is evident that seasonal patterns are
present,but not as dramatic as in our composite sample.There are some
unexplained fluctuations,but this would be expected from single samples.
The supplemental feed apparently either did not contain sufficient quantities
of the elements to obviate seasonal patterns or the patterns develop in
spite of intake.Analysis of the feed for these elements and the forage
consumed should provide insight into the source of the elements.
The demonstration of definite seasonal variations in hair element
values indicates the possibility of utilizing hair samples to monitor
nutritional status of moose populations.The realization of this possibility
depends upon additional research.There are no other data from moose,
nor are we aware of data from other ungulates,to utilize for establishing
base line values.Information on moose hair growth rates is not
available,nor do we know the proportion and pattern of anagen (growing)
hair follicles and telogen (quiescent)hair follicles.Knowledge of the
source and availability of the various elements in moose forage and consequently
soils would benefit this research approach.The obstacles are many
but the advantages of hair sampling from populations versus other
physiologic sampling warrant continued research into this approach.
Correlation of Hair and Blood Values
Ten hair element values (Zn,Cu,rig,Mh,Ca,Na,K,Cd,Fe and
Pb)and ten blood chemistry values (Ca,P,Glucose,Cholesteral,
Alkaline Phosphotase,LDH,SGOT,Total Protein,Albumin and Globulin)of
221 moose were tested for single and multiple correlation,ignoring other
classifications.The highest single correlation was hair potassium with
total protein (r =.42)and the highest multiple correlation was hair
potassium with all blood chemistry values (r =.53).It should be noted
that hair calcium values and blood calcium values showed no correlation
(r =.08).It should also be noted that conclusions drawn from this are
generally meaningless without further classification of samples on the basis
of season,sex,age,location,reproductive status and excitability.The
values were tested to determine if there was a possible high correlation
disregarding any classification.The results indicate there was none.
Condition Class
Subjective condition classifications were made for 200 moose during
this report period.These were correlated with blood physiologic values
(Table 25).As readily discernable,with no single correlation coefficients
higher than 0.376 and a multiple correlation of 0.485,none of the selected
values appear to be useful to evaluate condition,given the premise that
the subjective evaluation is correct.The assumption that the condition
evaluation is correct is most likely the fallacy in the preceding statement
and,until physiologic parameters that will consistently reflect condition
can be established,no conclusion can be drawn.Several values not tested
may prove more useful (packed cell volume and hemoglobin)but adequate
samples were not available during this report period.Other nonhemat~logic
physiologic parameters such as weight and body measurements may be better
condition monitors in moose.Hair sampling,with its much more delayed
response,may also prove to be useful for this purpose.
The usefulness of the physiologic values,selected in monitoring moose,
is not negated by the lack of correlation with condition,for reasons other
-51-
'.
in
Table 25.Correlations of condition classes with selected blood
phY$iologic values.
[
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Blood Physiologic Parameter
Calcium
Inorganic Phosphorus
Glucose
Blood Urea Nitrogen
Cholesterol
Alkaline Phosphotase
LDH
SGOT
Total Protein
Albumin
Globulin
Multiple Correlation
Correlation Coefficient with Condition Class
0.012
0.020
0.376
0.074
0.195
0.098
0.252
0.040
0.028
0.017
0.038
0.485
-52-
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than the possiblity that the condition evaluation is not valid,Samples
were taken in total with no additional classifications.It is possible
that,without considering other classifications,we have overlooked one
or more significant sources of variation.Again the indication is that we
must obtain sufficient samples with adequate distribution throughout the
influential classifications we assign to the values.
Bone Marrow
Although sample sizes were small,there was a difference in percent
dry-weight between marrows collected from nonwinter-killed adult moose
inside the pens and those collected from similar moose outside the pens
and in other parts of the Kenai Peninsula (Table 26).Since few adult
moose were winter-killed,a comparison of marrows of these animals is not
possible.Among calves there was a marked difference between road kills
and winter kills.Marrow fat in winter-killed calves from the three
areas did not greatly differ.Marrows from road-killed calves in the winter
of 1972-73,had higher percent dry weight than those from the previous
winter.The winter of 1971-72 was much more severe on much of the Peninsula,
so weakened calves were more apt to stay on plowed roads and be killed.No
attempt was made to correlate percent fat chronologically through the
winter because sample sizes were too small.It is not known how low the
percent fat can be in mal-nourished moose and still have the moose
recover.Of the marrow examined from winter-killed moose,one of seven
adults and two of 67 calves had values of 10 percent or greater dry
weight.It would appear that between 10-20 percent is the point of no return
and when it drops below 10 percent,the animal succumbs.
Disease and Parasites
No specific disease syndromes were noted at the MRC during this report
period other than those relative to malnutrition,anomalies and injuries.
An anomaly that occasionally was observed on moose captured outside the
enclosures was the long-hoof syndrome.A comparable occurrence of this was
noted by Dr.Harold Davis,University of Florida (personal communication)in
deer in Florida in areas of known copper deficiency.Other mineral deficiencies
may be involved,but with the low copper hair values found during certain
periods of the year (this report),this possibility cannot be eliminated.
Further sampling of forage and soils in the area with selected hair and
blood sampling of these individuals would substantiate or disprove this
possibility.
Fifteen moose pellet samples from the Moose Research Center were sent
to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Laboratory in Fairbanks and
examined by Carol Nielsen (Table 27).Mrs.Nielsen's interpretation
of findings was as follows:all eggs observed were similar in size
(246 -264 x 103 -129 microns)and shape (oval),and contained less
than 50 cells.They were clearly of the subfamily Nematodirinae
(Nematoda:Trichostrongylidae),and we suspect they are the eggs of
NematodireZZa ZongispicuZata.These are only general approximations of
egg numbers because various factors (water content of feces,diet,daily
and hourly variations in egg and fecal production)influence the count.
While the egg content of fecal pellets gives some indication of the total
worm burden,there is a more direct relationship to the number of female
-53-
Table 26.Mean percent dry weight of moose femur marrow at the Kenai Moose Research Center and other parts of the
Kenai Peninsula,winters 1971-72,1972-73.(Sample sizes in parenthesis;NS =no sample).
Road Kills or Miscellaneous Death Winter Kills
Winter Kenai Peninsula Outside MRC Inside MRC Kenai Peninsula Outside MRC Inside MRC
Adults 1971-72 73.9 (14)86.7 (4)23.4 (2)NS 5.5 (1)10.5 (5)
1972-73 85.1 (3)84.0 (5)51.5 (4)NS NS 4.9 (1)
Calves 1971-72 18.3 (16)NS NS 6.9 (45)7.1 (2)8.1 (8)
1972-73 51.4 (4)NS NS 7.3 (1)7.6 (2)7.3 (9)
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Table 27 Results of fecal egg count determination by the McMaster's technique for 15 moose pellet samples from Kenai Moose Research Center.
Label in Sample Bag 1973 1973 Date Results,Chamber
No.Sex Date Examined 1 2
45 MRC M 8/2 22/2 1 nmtr.*1 nmtr.
45 MRC M 8/2 22/2 1 nmtr.2 nmtr.
47 MRC M 24/1 23/2 neg.neg.
53 MRC M 8/2 22/2 neg.neg.
53 MRC M 8/2 22/2 neg.neg.
85 MRC F 23/1 22/2 neg.neg.
85 MRC F 23/1 22/2 neg.1 nmtr.
91 MRC F 8/1 21/2 neg.1 nmtr.
97 calf MRC M 24/1 23/2 1 nmtr.neg.
128 MRC F >24/1 21/2 neg.neg.
141 MRC F 25/1 22/2 neg.neg.
157 MRC F 26/1 21/2 2 nmtr.neg.
I 188 MRC F 26/1 22/2 neg.neg.VI
VI 159 MRC F 7/2 23/2 neg. neg.I
396 (152 out)
MRC F 24/1 22/2 .neg •...neg.
Estimated Egg Content of
Pellet Samples
100 nematodirids
150 nematodirids
negative
negative
negative
negative
50 nematodirids
50 nemadodirids
50 nemadodirids
negative
negative
100 nematodirids
negative
negative
....negative.
Kind of egg found:nematodirid
Number of positive samples:6 out of 15
(numbers 45,#45, #85, #91,#97,#157)
Estimated egg count range:0-150 eggs per gram,i.e,very light to light-moderate infections.
*nmtr.=nematodirid egg
[J
worms present.However,degree of host immunity,nutrition,and the age
of the helminth infection also contribute to count variations.
RECOMMENDAT IONS
1.More intensive survival counts in the spring should be made
in areas of intensive moose management to minimize distributional bias.
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2.Pregnancy examination of moose by rectal palpation should begin
around the first of December,as the fetus is of adequate size at that time.fl1_j
3.Dilution of sample size when classifying moose to evaluate
blood physiologic values necessitates extremely large samples.Continued
sampling is necessary to achieve this goal.
[
4.A subjective c~ndition evaluation,based on a 1 to 10 scale,
should be utilized and recorded with all sarnp.les obtained from moose.
r"u
LITERATURE CITED
Anderson,R.C.1972.The ecological relationships of meningeal worm
and native cervids in North America.J.Wildl.Dis.8(4):304-310.
~
Bishoff,A.I.1954.Limitations of the bone marrow technique in
determining malnutrition in deer.Proc.Western Assoc.State
Game and Fish Corom.,Las Vegas,Nevada 34:205-210.
5.The rectal temperature should be recorded from all live moose
sampled for blood physiologic values to classify and subsequently compare
values in the same excitability or rectal temperature class.
f11..1N
[j
C
o
n.!.'LJ
c
c
[I,
E
The distribution and abundance
782 p.
Andrewartha,H.G.and L.C.Birch.1954.
of animals.Univ.of Chicago Press.
Bader,D.1968.Moose tagging program.A report on fish and wildlife
conservation activities,Fort Richardson,Alaska,1968.Compiled
and prepared by Post Engineer,Fort Richardson,Alaska.
7.Sampling of forage and soil for selected mineral levels and
possible deficiencies should be investigated in areas relegated to
intensive moose management.
6.The preliminary demonstration of seasonal fluctuations of hair
element values indicates the need for continued investigation.Base-line
values and deficiency levels for moose should be established.Research is
needed to determine hair growth rate and patterns of growth.
Blinko,C.and W.B.Dye.1958.Serum transaminase in white-muscle
disease.J.An.Sci.17:224.
Bradfield,R.B.1968.Changes in hair associated with protein-calorie
nutrition.In Calorie Deficiencies,ed.by R.A.McCance and
E.M.Widdowson,p.213.Little,Brown and Co.,Boston.
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t
L
________~--o,M.A.Bailey,and S.Margen.1967.Morphologic changes
in human scalp hair roots during deprivation of protein.
Science,157:438.
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Nature,225 :283.
Brown,J.L.
birds.
1969.Territorial behavior and population regulation in
Wilson Bull.81(3):293-329.
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Cornelius (Eds.)Clinical biochemistry of domestic animals,
Vol.2,Academic Press,New York and London.155-177.
Cheatum,E.L.1949.Bone marrow as an index of malnutrition in deer.
New York Conservationist 3:19-22.
Chitty,D.1960.Population processes in the vole and their relevance
to general theory.Can.J.Zool.38(1):99-113.
Christian,J.J.and D.E.Davis.1964.Endocrines,behavior,and
population.Science.146(3651):1550-1560.
Coles,E.H.1967.Veterinary clinical pathology.
Philadelphia and London.455 pp.
Crounse,R.G.,A.J.Bollet,and S.Owens.1970.
protein malnutrition using scalp hair roots.
Physicians.83:185-195.
W.B.Saunders Co.,
Tissue assay of human
Trans.Assn.Am.
Drummond,J.and J.W.Basset.1952.Effect of protein supplement upon
wool production.Montana Wool Grower 26:42.
Edwards,R.Y.and R.W.Ritcey.1958.Reproduction in a moose population.
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Elton,C.1949.
patterns.
Population interspersion:
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Errington,P.L.
Rev.BioI.
1946.Predation and vertebrate populations.Quart.
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Flynn,A.and A.W.Franzmann.1973.Seasonal variations in hair mineral
levels of the Alaskan moose.Proc.Int.Symp.Trace Element
Metabolism (TEMA 2),Madison,Wisconsin.
Franzmann,A.W.1972.Environmental sources of variation of bighorn
sheep physiologic values.J.Wildl.Manage.36(3):924-932.
____________.:and D.M.Hebert.1971.Variation of rectal temperature
in bighorn sheep.J.Wildl.Manage.35(3);488~494.
______~----.and E.T.Thorne.1970.Physiologic values in bighorn
sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis)at capture,after handling
and after captivity.J.Am.Vet.Med.Assn.l57(5):647~50.
Gartner,R.J.W.,L. L.Callow,C.K.Grazien and P.Pepper.1969.
Variations in the concentration of blood constituents in
relation to handling of cattle.Res.Vet.Sci.10:7-12.
-57-
[~
~.........-.--,_--!)J.w.'.:I~¥le¥,and A.W.Beattie.1965.The influence
of deg~ee of excitation on certain blood constituents in beef
cattle.Austral.J.Exptl.BioI.Med.Sci.43:713-724.[
Geraci,J.R.and W.Medway.1973.Simulated field blood studies in the
bottle-nosed dolphin (Tursiops truncatusJ.2.Effects of stress
on some hematologic and plasma chemical parameters.J.
Wildl.Dis.9(1):29-33.
Godwin,K.o.1959.Skin,hair and nail in protein malnutrition.World
Rev.Nutr.Diet.3:107.
Greer,K.R.1968.A compression method indicates fat content of elk
(wapiti)femur marrows.J.Wildl.Manage.32(4):747-751.
1969.Femur marrow reveals the condition of game animals.
A contribution from Fed.Aid in Wildl.Rest.Montana Proj.
W-83-R.Bozeman,Montana.January,1969.10 pp.
Hammer,D.J.,J.Finklea,R.Hendricks,C.Shy,and R.Horton.1971.
Hair trace metal levels and environmental exposure.Am.J.
Epidemiology 93:84.
[
['
\~
i
l
r-'
L---,
c
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand
Teton Natur.History Assoc.Tech.Bull.1.110 p.
Johnson,D.C.,P.D.Arneson and A.W.Franzmann.
in orphaned and nonorphaned moose calves.
lA-l.l.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration.
andG~.
1973.Behavior and survival
Final Rep.Job
Alaska Dept.of Fish
[j
[
Klevay,L.1970a.Hair as a biopsy material,I.Assessment of zinc
nutriture.Am.J.Clinical Nutr.23:284.
1970b.Hair as a biopsy material II.Assessment of copper
nutriture.Am.J.Clinical Nutr.23:1194.
[
c
Kopito,L.,R.Byers,and H.Shwachman.1967.Lead in hair of children
with chronic lead poisoning.New England J.Med.276:949.E
1970.Moose report:Annual Progress Rep.Fed.Aid in
·Wildl.Restoration.Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game.
Lack,D.1954.The natural regulation of animal numbers.Oxford Univ.
Press.343 p.
LeResche,R.E.1968.Spring-fall calf mortality in an Alaskan moose
population.J.Wildl.Manage.32(4):953-966.
and--------------Kenai Peninsula,Alaska.
L
[
["
,,j
l
L
1973.Importance of nonbrowse foods to moose ,on the
J.Wildl.Manage.37(3):279-287.
and J.L.Davis.1971.Moose reporto Annual Proj.Progress
Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration.Alaska Dept.of Fish andRep.
Game.
-58-
L
___--:_-.,.._~I u.S.Seal,P.D.Karns and A.W.Franzmarm.
chemistry and nutrition of moose.Proc.Int.Symp.
Ecology,Quebec.
1973.
Moose
Blood
Lewis,P.,W.Hoekstra,and R.Grummer.1957.Restricted calcium feeding
versus zinc supplementation for the control of parakeratosis in
swine.J.An.Sci.16:578.
Lowry,O.H.,N.J.Rosenbrough,A.L.Farr,and R.F.Randall.1951.
Protein measurement with the folin phenol reagent.J.BioI.
Chem.233:182.
Markgren,G.1969.Reproduction of moose in Sweden.Swedish Wildl.
(Viltrevy)6(3):127-299.
Marston,H.R.1955.Wool growth.In Progress in the physiology of
farm animals,Vol.2,p.543,Butterworths,London.
Mech,L.D.1966.The wolves of Isle Royale.Fauna Series 7.U.S.
Dept.Interior.210 pp.
Monie,J.B.1973.Population estimates by quadrat sampling method.
Proc.Interagency Moose Meeting,Kenai,Alaska.
Nei1and,K.A.1970.
caribou femurs.
Weight of dried marrow as indicator of fat in
J.Wildl.~funage.34(4):904-907.
Nicholson,A.J.1954.An outline of the dynamics of animal populations.
Aust.J.Zool.2:9-65.
Peek,J.M.1962.Studies of moose in the Gravelly and Snowcrest
Mountains,Montana.J.Wildl.Manage.26(4):360-365.
Pimlott,D.H.
moose.
1959.Reproduction and productivity of Newfoundland
J.Wildl.Manage.23(4):381-401.
Rausch,R.A.1959.Some aspects of the population dynamics of the rainbe1t
moose population,Alaska.M.S.Thesis,Univ.of Alaska.71 pp.
~and A.E.Bratlie.1965.Assessments of moose calf------:---production and mortality in southcentral Alaska.An.Conf.
W.Assoc.State Game and Fish Commissioners.45:11.
______~--~.and R.H.Bishop.1968.Report on 1966-67 moose studies.
Annual Proj.Segment Rep.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration.
Vol.VIII and IX.Alaska Dep.Fish and Game.263 pp.
Robinson,W.L.1960.Test of shelter requirements of penned white-
tailed deer.J.Wildl.Manage.24(4):364-371.
Ryder,M.L.1958.Nutritional factors influencing hair and wool growth.
In The biology of hair growth,ed.Montagna,W.and R.A.Ellis,
Academic press,N.Y.305 pp.
Schroeder,H.and A.Nason.1969.Trace elements in human hair.J.
Investigative Dermatology.53:71.
-59-
Sims,R.T.1968.The measurement of hair growth as an index of protein
synthesis in malnutrition.Brit.J.Nutr.22:229.
Slen,S.B.and F.Whiting.1952.Wool production as affected by the
level of protein in the ration of the mature ewe.J.An.Sci.
11:156.
Strain,W.,L.Steadman,C.Lankar,W.Berliner,and W.Pories.1966.
Analysis of zinc levels in hair for the diagonsis of zinc
deficiency in man.J.Lab.Clinical Med.68:244.
Smith,C.R.and R.L.Hamlin.1970.Regulation of the heart and blood
vessels.Pages 169-195 In M.J.Swenson,ed.Dukes'physiology
of domestic animals.Cornell Univ.Press,Ithaca and London.f'
D
[
[
[~
[
l,
[
1970.Winter ecology of moose in the Gallatin Mountains,
J.Wi1d1.Manage.34(1):37-46.
Seal,U.S.,J.J.Ozoga,A.W.Erickson,and L.J.Verme.1973.Effects
Qf im@obi1ization on blood analysis of white-tailed deer.
J.Wildl~Manage.36~(4):l034-l040.
Simkin?D.W.1965.~~~roduct~pn and productivity of moose in northwestern
Ontario.J .Wilcii;"Manage.29 (4):"740-750.
Stevens,D.R.
Montana.
Tenney,S.M.1970.Respiration in mammals.Pages 293-339 In M.J.
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Verme,L.J.
Mammal.
_____________.?Ud W.J.Pories,A.Flynn,and O.A.Hill,Jr.1972.
element nutriture and metabo1ist through head hair analysis.
In Trace substances in environmental health-V.Ed.by D.D.
Hemphill,U.of Missouri,Columbia.
1970.Some characteristics of captive Michigan moose.
51(2):403-405.
Whanger,P.O.,P.H.Weswig,O.H.Muth,and J.E.Oldfield.1969.
lactic dehydrogenase,glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase,and
peroxidase changes of selenium defecient myopathic lambs.
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Trace
J.
Tissue
D
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D
o
[j
Wynne-Edwards,V.C.1965.Self-regulating systems in populations of
animals.Science.147(3665):1543-1548.[
PREPARED BY:
Albert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Game Biologists
[
[1
SUBMITTED BY
Karl B.Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
ctr~2-Wt~
Research Chief,Division of Game
[
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-60-
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State:Alaska
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
Cooperators:James L.Davis,Paul D.Arneson,Albert W.Franzmann,and
Paul A.LeRoux
Project No:W-17-5 Project Title:Big Game Investigations
Job Number:1.7R Job Title:Kenai Peninsula Moose
Population Identity Study
Period Covered:July 1,1972 through June 30,1973
SUMMARY
One hundred and sixteen moose were tagged with individually identifiable
collars during the reporting period:43 outside the enclosures at the Kenai
Moose Research Center,12 in the Big Indian Creek drainage,60 in the Tustumena
Bench1and-Lower Funny River Airstrip area and one miscellaneous tagging.
Nine hundred and eighty-three recoveries and resightings of tagged moose
have been recorded since the inception of this project.Two hundred and
seventy-nine observations of collared moose were made during the reporting
period.
Most of the moose tagged during the rut in the Big Indian Creek area
wintered above timberline in the same area but possibly moved to lower
elevations to calve.
Moose rutting in the Lower Funny River Airstrip area and above timber-
line in the Tustumena Bench1and area appear to be from separate populations.
Resightings of tagged moose from the Lower Funny River group indicated that
they wintered north of,or in the tagging area.Calving areas for the group
have not been determined.
Eighty percent of resightings of the Tustumena Benchland group occurred
above timberline indicating that most of the moose winter in the original
tagging area.These moose migrated to lower elevations in April and May,
but calving areas were not determined.
i
CONTENTS
... i
1
1
2
. . • . . . 2
7
7
... ..'..
Summary.. . . . . . . .
Backgrotllld • •
Objective.
Procedures .
Findings .
Recommendations..
Literature Cited.
BACKGROUND
The effects of snow on wild tlllgulate behavior W2re first studied by
Formozov (1946)and Nasimovich (1955).Until now,most research has
been concerned with how the physical properties of snow affect tlllgulate
movements (Des Meules,1964;Kelsall,1969;Kelsall and Prescott,1971;
and Coady,1973).
Snow depth is considered the most important factor for moose (Alces
alces)(Coady,1973),because migration from summer range to winter range
is influenced,activity may be reduced,and food becomes less accessible as
snow depth increases.Little mention has been made of moose pawing through
the snow for food,as do elk (Cervus canadensis)(Murie,1951),muskoxen
(Ovibos moschatus)(Lent and Knutson,1971 and Tener,1965)and caribou
(Rangifer tarandus)(Pruitt,1959 and Henshaw,1968).Des Meu1es (1964)
stated,"Moose do not appear to have learned to use their feet to dig
for food beneath or within the layer of snow ••••On two instances only,
we have seen evidence of moose nuzzling through 8 or 10 inches of soft
sno~to reach tlllderlying browse."
The fact that moose are commonlv observed cratering in one area and
not in another is probably due to habitat and feeding habit differences
between moose heards.Moose frequently crater or paw for food through the
snow on the Kenai Peninsula.These moose often crater above timberline
for dwarf willows (Salix sp.)in sedge meadows for Carex and in scattered
mature hardwood stands in the 1947 Kenai Burn for lowbush cranberry
(Vaccinium vitis-ideae).LeReshe and Davis (1973)have stressed the importance
of the nonbrowse lowbush cranberry in the winter diet of moose on the Kenai
Peninsula.To our knowledge,nothing has been reported on the energy expended by
moose digging craters versus the energy derived from the vegetation obtained.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of snow conditions on moose feeding patterns
and the related snow cratering activity of moose.
The overall objective is to obtain more thorough and specific
knowledge of how moose affect vegetation and how vegetation affects moose.
The application of the indicator species concept to moose by gaining
knowledge specific to moose ftlllction (physiology)is an integral part
of the objective.
-1-
PROCEDURES
Snow Monitoring and Crate ring
Eight snow plots in Pens 1 and 2 were utilized.A plot is located
in each of the following habitat types:dense hardwoods,thin hardwoods,
sedge meadow,mature spruce,spruce regrowth,birch-spruce regrowth (thin),
birch-spruce (dense)and spruce-ledum.At weekly intervals a trench was
dug in each plot and the total depth,thickness and consistency of each snow
layer was recorded.Depth of "sink"in snow of mans'foot was also
measured.Presence of lowbush cranberry and other ground vegetation was
recorded.
Cratering activity by moose was studied and evaluated by observing
both adults and calves,inside and outside the Moose Research Center
enclosures.Observations noted were;number of paws per crater,time
spent pawing per crater,time spent feeding per crater,total time per
crater,number of craters for a period of time and forage utilized in each
crater.
FINDINGS
Snow Monitoring and Crate ring
The first snowfall of winter 1972-73 occurred on November 25 with a
depth of 18 cm.Subsequent major snowfalls occurred on December 30,
(18 cm),January 27-30 (18 cm)and March 12-15 (10 cm).Maximum
depth was 60 cm in mid~March but it decreased rapidly after that (Table
1).Ground vegetation was visible until the second major snowfall and
became visible again in late March and early April.Snow cover was
present for approximately 135 days.
Moose did not begin cratering until the second major snowfall.
Until that time they nuzzled through the 15-18 cm of snow for ground
vegetation.Cratering continued throughout the winter until nonbrowse
plants again became visible;however,there·appeared to be less activity
toward the end of winter.
Emphasis on cratering activity studies this past winter was placed
on effort and time expended cratering versus time spent at other activities.
Tables 2 and 3 list the cratering activities of calves and adult cows,
observed during daylight hours outside and inside the enclosures at the
MRC.Much variation was noted in cratering efforts by both calves and
adults.An enclosed adult cow and her calf dug 85 consecutive craters
before browsing again in a maximum of 15 hours.The following day the
same cow dug 12 craters in 40 minutes while her calf dug 35 craters in
one hour and 45 minutes.Another cow dug 32 consecutive craters before
browsing while her calf dug 20 craters.This is a greater cratering
effort than the outside cow and calf near the cabin expended (Table
29).They were observed digging 7 and 25 craters,respectively,over an
extended period.While observing several calves,Johnson et al.(1973)
noted that 40 percent of their foraging time was spent cratering (20.5
hours cratering and 30.8 hours browsing),while the calf observed near
-2-
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Table 1.Snow depth (em)in each of eight habitat types,Kenai Moose Research Center.winter 1972-73.
1972 1973
Habitat type 11/30 12/7 12/13 12/20 12/28 1/3 1/10 1/17 1/26 1/31 2/7 2/14 2/21 2/28 3/7 3/15 3/21 3/28 4/4 4/11
Dense
Hardwoods 13 11 11.5 12.5 12 27 25 23 24 36 34 35 32 34 33 40 36 25 19*0
Thin
Hardwoods 16.5*15* 15*
16*16*33 34 28 29 46 44 48 48 47 47 53 49 38 24*12*
Sedge 17**16**16**18**18**34 34 32 36 48 46 47 45 43 45 53 50 36 22**Tr**
I
If Spruce
Regrowth 16*15*15*19*18*35 34 32 35 52 51 49 48 45 48 53 44 39*26*Tr*
Birch-Spruce
Thin 17*15'"16'"16*16*37 35 32 36 49 46 45 45 45 47 50 52 38*30*Tr*
Birch-Spruce
Dense 14.5*13*15*17*16*31 34 30 34 46 49 48 47 47 47 55 48 35*24*0
Spruce-Ledum 16*"''''16*"'*15***16.5***17***34 34 31 34 51 50 50 49 50 51 60 57 40 23*Tr*
Mature Spruce 10.5 10 12 10 10 26 24 20 23 32 32 32 24 23 26 31 27 23 17*0
'"Vaccinium vitis-ideae visible.
**Carex sp.visible.
***Ledum sp.visible.
Table 2.Winter activities of an outside calf and adult cow moose,Kenai.Moose Research Center,1973.
Total Time
Observed %of Time No.of New No.of Old %of Time %of Time %of Time
Date Sex/Age Hrs.Mins.Spent Cratering Craters Dug Craters Reused Spent Browsing Spent Resting Spent Misc.'"
Feb.14,1973 Male calf"''''4:00 15.4 3 0 29.2 54.6 0.8
Feb.15,1973 Male calf 4:05 11.1 3 0 19.6 69.4 0
Feb.16,1973 Male calf 8:15 10.7 5 1 32.6 53.1 3.7
Feb.20,1973 Male calf 2:26 24.6 2 0 31.5 43.1 0.7
Feb.21,1973 Male calf 9:48 20.4 9 14 27.6 42.9 9.2
Feb.22,1973 Male calf 9:40 2.2 1 1 44.4 48.1 5.3
Feb.23,1973 Male calf 7:15 6.0 2 0 12.6 70.4 11.0
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Total/Mean Male calf 45:59 11.4 25 16 29.3 53.7 5.7
==========================================================================================================================================a==========
Feb.15,1973
Feb.23,1973
Total/Mean
Female adult 4:05
Female adult 7:49
Female adult 11:54
14.6
9.6
11.3
5
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21.1
16.7
69.0
66.6
67.4
8.2
2.8
4.6
'"Walking,staring,listening,urinating,defecating,etc.
"''''Calf died February 27,1973.
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Research Center,winter,1973.
No.of Paws per Crater Time in Crater (min.)
Sex/Age Craters Dug Mean Range Mean Range
Male calf 18 82 5-208 11.5 1-31
Female calf 7 --6.6 2-14
Female adu1 t 3 31 10-55 19.7 14-24
Female adult (R70-7)6 --8.8 1-19
-5-
the cabin spent 38 percent of its foraging time cratering.Despite the
individual variation in effort,cratering for nonbrowse vegetation is an
important aspect of winter foraging by moose in the 1947 Kenai Burn.
During the "severe"winter of 1971-72,there was a 100 percent calf
loss at the MRC plus several adult winter mortalities.The maximum
snow depth that winter was 67 cm,but depths of 60 cm or less were
present during most of the winter (LeResche et al.,1973).
Movements of moose are not greatly impeded by 60 cm of snow
(Nasimovich,1955 and Kelsall,1969),but depths at which cratering for
ground vegetation is impeded is not known.Depths this past winter
(1972-73)at the MRC reached a maximum of 60 cm,but persisted from 45-55
cm throughout the middle of winter.There was also a 100 percent calf
mortality this past winter within the pens and apparently a comparable
mortality in the vicinity of the enclosures.Flights were made in late
February in the 1947 Kenai Burn near the MRC and several dead or weak calves
were found.Assuming snow hardness to be relatively similar for the past
two winters (hardness was not measured),it appeared that 50~60 cm of snow
was detrimental to calves foraging for nonbrowse ground vegetation and 60 cm
or more was detrimental to adults.Pawing through depths of these magnitudes
possibly took more energy than that obtained from the vegetation.With this
energy loss,the animals weakened or died if adequate vegetation was not
reached either by migration or as a result of weather change which decreased
snow depths.
The male calf,observed near the MRC headquarters outside the
enclosures,died of malnutrition/starvation two weeks after observations
began.During that period he spent over 40 percent of the daytime
observation time foraging (11.4 percent cratering).He appeared to be
getting sufficient quantities of food until the last two days.Whether
the cause of death was a negative energy relationship or poor quality
vegetation or both is not known.
Density and hardness of the snow did not appear to be critical
factors during either of the past two winters.Man was able to penetrate
all but a few centimeters of snow both winters at all snow plot sites
by placing his weight on one foot and placing it on undisturbed snow.
Moose,with foot loads much greater than man,penetrated the snow easily
and were not hindered by hard crusts when cratering.The granular 'layer
of snow nearest the ground surface increased in thickness as winter
progressed and may hav~caused more caving in of the craters,requiring
more effort by the moose to get at the ground vegetation.Extreme efforts
of 208 paws per crater (Table 3)may be a result of this type of snow
condition.In several craters no vegetation was reached either due to a
lack of plant availability beneath the snow or so much caving in that the
moose stopped pawing.Some moose frequently "nosed"the snow before
starting to crater,possibly detecting the presence of suitable vegetation
by olfaction.
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RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Additional observations of moose cratering activity are required to
substantiate the preliminary conclusion of a negetive energy balance
situation.
2.Continual monitoring of snow conditions at MRC is required to support
current productiviey and behavioral studies.
LITERATURE CITED
"
Coady,J.W.1973.Influence of snow on behavior of moose.Proc.
Int.Symp.Moose Ecology.Quebec.(In press).
Des Meules,P.1964.The influence of snow on the behaviour of moose.
Ministere du Tourisma,de la chasse et de la peche,Quebec.
Papport No.3:51-73.
Formozov,A.N.1946.Snow cover as an integral factor of the environment
and its importance in the ecology of mammals and birds.Moscow.
Boreal Institute,Univ.Alberta,Edmonton,Occ.Publ.No.1 .
176 pp.
Henshaw,J.1968.The activities of wintering caribou in northwestern
Alaska in relation to weather and snow conditions.Int.J.
Biometeor.12(1):21-27.
Johnson,D.C.,P.D.Arneson,and A.W.Franzmann.1973.Behavior and
survival in orphaned and nonorphaned moose calves.Final Rep.
Job lA 1.1.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration.Alaska Dept.of
Fish and Game.
Kelsall,J.P.1969.Structural adaptations of moose and deer for snow.
J.Mammal.50(2):302-310.
j
and W.Prescott.1971.
National Park,New Brunswick.
Moose and deer behaviour in snow in Fundy
Can.Wildl.Ser.Rep.Series 15.25 pp.
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Lent,P.C.and D.Knutson.1971.Muskox and snow cover on Nunivak
Island,Alaska.Proc.Snow and Fire in Relation to Wildlife
and Recreation Symposium.Iowa State Univ.,Ames.p.50-62.
LeResche,R.E.,Franzmann,A.W.and P.D.Arneson.1973.l~ose Research Center
Report.Annual Proj.Progress.Rep.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration .
Alaska Dept.Fish and Game.
______________.arrd J.L.Davis.1973.Importance of nonbrowse foods
to moose.on the Kenai Peninsula,Alaska.J.Wildl.Manage.37(3):279-287.
Murie,O.J.1951.The elk of North America.Wildlife Management
Institute,Washington,D.C.376 pp .
-7-
Nasimovich,A.A.1955.The role of the regime of snow cover in the life
of ungulates on the USSR.Moskva,Akad.Nauk SSSR.103 pp.
Translated from Russian by Can.Wildl.Serv.,Ottawa.
Pruitt,W.O.Jr.1959.Snow as a factor in the winter ecology of the
barren ground caribou (Rangifer arcticusJ.Arctic 12(3):159-179.
Tener,J.S.1965.Muskoxen in Canada,a biological and taxonomic review.
Queen's Printer,Ottawa.166 pp.
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PREPARED BY:
p~bert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Game Biologists
SUBMITTED BY:
Karl B.Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
-8-
APPROVED BY:
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Research Chief,Division of Game
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JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
State:Alaska
Cooperators:Albert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Project No.:W-17-5
Job No.:1.6R
Project Title:Big Game Investigations
Job Title:Evaluation and Testing of
Techniques to Moose Management
Period Covered:July 1,1972 through June 30,1973
SUMMARY
Telemetric tracking utilizing radio-transmitters in the 30 megahertz
(mhz)range was used to locate individual moose with good success.
All transmitters operated but some produced better signals than others.
Biotelemetry procedures were investigated and components were purchased
to construct equipment for this purpose.
Immobilizing drugs (Rompun and CI-774)were investigated but their
usefulness to obtain physiologic data was limited due to the prolonged recovery
time associated with use of these drugs.Succinylcholine chloride
(Anectine)continued to be the drug utilized for free-ranging moose and
M-99 (Etorphine)was preferred for captive moose.The dosages of each
varied with season of use and condition of moose.
Pellet-group counting of 160 plots in Pen 1 with known numbers of
moose over a two-year period provided data to indicate that during the
winter of 1972-73 moose deposited 26.6 pellet groups/day,and in the
winter of 1971-72,28.4 pellet groups/day.This appears to be high and
may reflect inadequate pellet group sampling procedures.The similarity of
pellet groups per day for the two winters when pellet groups were aged at
sampling indicates that the aging technique for winter moose pellets from
one year to the next may be valid.An attempt to age summer group pellets
was not valid.
Habitat selection by moose based upon pellet groups per habitat
type demonstrated an affinity of moose for birch regrowth areas (65.8
percent of groups in 1971-72 and 66.3 percent of groups in 1972-73 were
in birch regrowth areas).Spruce regrowth areas for the winters of
1971-72 and 1972-73 contained 14.8 and 9.6 percent of the pellet groups,
respectively.
Rumen sampling with a stomach pump was more desirable than by the
rumen trocar technique for recumbent immobilized moose.
i
A freeze branding technique utilizing Freon gas in pressurized
cans was tested with variable success.Full evaluation of a resulting
brand was not possible due to timing of this report.
In June,1972,81 percent of known moose within the enclosures were
observed by helicopter census with 196 minutes of observation time.In
June,1973,95 percent of moose were observed with 238 minutes of
helicopter time.
Little difference in overall trapping success was noted between
outside and inside traps,although there was much variability between
traps.Differences in trapping success between pens are likely a
function of density.When seasonal variations were considered trapping
success differences between outside and inside traps was noticeable.
Trapping success outside was highest during December and January and
success inside was highest during the summer and early fall.Salting
of traps to attract moose was effective in late spring and early summer
for inside moose.
An orphaned moose calf hand-raised in 1972 began to gain weight
and overcame her digestive problems once she was free to browse.Her
weight at over one month of age was equivalent to the one-week weight
(23.6 kg)of a nonorphaned calf nursing the cow.
ii
CONTENTS
Summary •••••••
Background • •
Objectives •
Procedures • •
Findings .
Telemetric Tracking.
Biotelemetry • . • • • • • • •
Immobilizing Drugs • • •
Pellet-count Census.
Rumen Sampling Via Trocar.• •
Rumen Sampling Via Stomach Tube and Pump •
Marking Techniques • • • • •
Aerial Census •••
Trapping Success • • . • • • • •
Raising Orphaned Moose Calf.
Recommendations .••••••••••
Literature Cited ,• • • . • • • • •
BACKGROUND
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· 1
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3
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•.27
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The Kenai Moose Research Center (MRC),with known numbers and composition
of moose (Aloes aloes)and several tame moose for research,is an ideal facility
for developing and testing techniques.Developments in many fields that
produce drugs,equipment and procedures potentially applicable to moose
management determine the thrust of activity under this job objective.
Outlined techniques to be tested were;telemetric tracking,telemetric
monitoring of physiologic parameters,use of immobilizing drugs,pellet
group counting,rumen trocar,marking,and evaluation of aerial censusing.
LeResche and Davis (1971)reported preliminary investigations in these areas
and this report provides an appraisal of continuing studies.
Telemetric tracking has many potential applications as demonstrated
in Will and Patric'c (1972)bibliography on wildlife telemetry which
lists over 450 references and 184 active projects utilizing telemetry.The
use of telemetry in moose studies has been utilized at the MRC as outlined
by LeResche and Davis (1971).Other moose studies utilizing telemetry
include those published by Van Ballenberghe and Peek (1971)and Berg and
Phillips (1972)and current studies in interior Alaska by John Coady (ADF&G).
The potential of utilizing telemetric monitoring of physiologic
parameters (biotelemetry),such as body temperature and heart rate to study
estrus in female moose and excitability and stress from diverse activities,
is unlimited as demonstrated by the space program.Unfortunately the gap
between expertise available for the space program and wildlife physiologic
monitoring is large and primarily economically based.The expertise and
equipment are available that will provide the information,and much research
in wildlife biotelemetry has been accomplished (Boyd et al.,1967;Slater,
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1963;Downhower and Pauley,1970;Folk,1968;Houseknecht,1970;Ko and
Neuman,1967;Lonsdale eta1.,1971;Lord et a1.,1962;MacKay,1968;
McGinnis and Southworth,1967;McGinnis et a1.,1970;Ostbye,1970;and
Riley,1971).We are not aware of any biotelemetry studies of moose
accomplished or underway at this time.
LeResche and Davis (1971)outlined the qualities of an ideal immobilizing
drug and as new drugs are developed,their application to moose should be
be tested.Other techniques that may prove applicable to moose such as
the pellet-count census,rumen sampling,marking,and aerial censusing should
also be tested.
A review of pellet-group techniques is provided by Neff (1968).
Rumen sampling from elk (Cervus canadensis)and deer (Odocoileus sp.)
utilizing a rumen trocar technique was reported by Follis and Spi1lett (1972).
Rumen sampling utilizing a stomach tube and pump is a procedure regularly
utilized in the practice of veterinary medicine.A method to obtain rumen
liquor for in-vitro digestion trials in an efficient and effective manner
without sacrifice of the individual was required.
Aerial censusing.techniques were successfully tested at the MRC (LeResche
and Rausch,in press)as a result of having known numbers of moose at the
Center.With known sex and age composition at the MRC it is also an ideal
situation to test observers'abilities at aerial composition counts.Rausch
and Brat1ie (1965)outlined procedures to assess the dynamics of moose populations,
and sex and age composition counts are an integral part of the procedure.Most
agencies involved in moose management depend upon sex and age composition
counts to evaluate the status of moose populations,and several studies have
incorporated composition counts (Edwards and Ritcey,1958;Simkin,1965;
Pim1ott,1959;Houston,1968;Peek,1962;and Stevens,1970.The testing
of observers'accuracy in composition counts has not been tested and efforts
to accomplish this have been initiated at the MRC.
OBJECTIVES
To test and evaluate techniques that are potentially useful for
determinining population status,movements and other factors necessary for
management of moose.
PROCEDURES
Telemetric Tracking
The radio-transmitters in the 30 megahertz (mhz)range that were
utilized by LeResche and Davis (1971)were used to facilitate behavioral
studies of cow/calf relationships (Johnson et al.,1973).These transmitters
were equipped with new batteries and incorporated into 13 new collars
coded by color.Six of the collars were designed to fit calves and 7 were
made for cows.
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Biotelemetry
Investigations into equipment,procedure and application of biotelemetry
equipment were accomplished with the assistance of Charles Irvine,Alaska
Department of Fish and Game.Components and equipment necessary to initiate
biotelemetry studies were purchased.
Immobilizing Drugs
New drugs tested at the MRC this period were a commercially available
drug Rompun (Chamagva)and an experimental drug CI-774 (Parke-Davis).
Succinycholine choride (Anectine,Burroughs Wellcome and Co.),an immobilizer
extensively used in moose (Bergerud et al.,1964;LeResche,1970;LeResche
and Davis,1971;and Houston,1969),was the principle immobilizer used and
tested during this report period (274 moose were immobilized with Anectine).
M-99 Etorphine (American Cyanamid)was tested on 33 moose within the
enclosures.
Pellet-Count Census
Pellet-count census technique testing intitiated by LeResche and Davis
(1971)was continued.One hundred and sixty plots in Pen 1 were counted
and cleared in May 1973.Total moose days were established for Pen 1 and
the area represented by the sample was established.
Rumen Sampling
Rumen sampling to obtain rumen liquor for in-vitro digestion trials
was done by the rumen trocar and stomach pump methods.
Marking Techniques
Harking moose for identification is a continuing area of investigation.
Color-coded collars,described by LeResche and Davis (1971),were
utilized on moose outside the MRC enclosures for the Kenai moose population
identity study.New collars designed by Jim Davis,Alaska Department of
Fish and Game,were ordered as the supply of color-coded collars was
depleted.The new collars are a color-code and number combination.Marking
by freeze-branding was attempted using a new technique employing pressurized
Freon gas.
FINDINGS
Telemetric Tracking
The 30 mhz radio-transmitters utilized from November through April
functioned with no major failures;however,some radios worked better than
others.Two multi-frequency receivers were utilized with the major problem
being related to antenna wire connections.For this particular study the
telemetric tracking equipment performed satisfactorily and the equipment
will be utilized for further studies requiring the location of specific
animals.
-3-
New lithium batteries were purchased to test claims of longevity
with smaller size.A transmitter powered by lithium batteries was placed
on our semi-tame moose,Wally,Jr.,but a failure of yet an undetermined
nature necessitated removi.ng the transmitter.Further testing of lithium
batteries will be continued.
Biotelemetry
It was determined that long range biotelemetry could be accomplished
by utilizing a receiver-transmitter attached to a collar that could relay
the impulses from a miniature implanted receiver.This procedure could
provide the temperature data required to monitor estrus,excitability and
stress.
No biotelemetric application has been installed or tested to date.
Immobilizing Drugs
Investigations of drugs utilized daily to immobilize moose continued
and new drugs were tested &ld evaluated as they became available.
CI-744 (Parke-Davis):This unnamed,experimental,mu1tispecies,parenteral,
anesthetic agent was used to immobilize 14 Alaskan moose with variable
results (Table 1).CI-744 is a 1:1 combination of two ingredients:ti1etamine
hydrochloride (CI-634),a central nervous system (CNS)depressant which
produces profound analgesia and cataleptoid anethesia,and a diazepionone
(CI-716)which is a non-phenothiazine derivative tranquilizer.
The uncertainty associated with establishing dosages for the Alaskan moose
may be responsible for much of the variability.Initially dosages on the
conservative side of those recommended for the bovine were used.The
problems encountered with this low dosage were confounded by the extremely
poor condition of the animals.As the condition of the animals improved,
dosages were increased and somewhat better response was noted in the
animals that went down.A high proportion of animals did not go down.Some
of these may not have received the full dose from the 10 cc "Cap-Chur"syringe.
The three animals which did not respond in July were not given supplemental
doses since they were "heating up"due to high ambient temperature,and
stress from trapping and our presence.
There were several problems which necessitated terminating use of this drug.
The first was the long period of ataxia experienced by animals during
recovery,which required spending much time with the animal through the
recovery phase.We also had problems concentrating the drugs sufficiently
to incorporate an immobilizing dose in a 10 cc "Cap-Chur"syringe.A renewed
attempt to evaluate this drug will be made when the moose are in prime
condition and when the volume of drug required can be reduced.
Rompun (Chemagro):This product,available for some time on an
experimental basis,is now marketed in the United States by Chemagro,Division
of Baychem Corporation,Kansas City,Missouri.Rompun is an analgesic,
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Table 1-Results of Immobilization of Alaskan Moose at MRC With CI-744.
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Total Dose Number Induction Time Return
Animal Dose Weight per of Time Immobilized to Normal
No.Month Mg Kg Mg Injections Min.Min.Min.
134 March 500 164 3.1 1 1 49 99
63 March 1300 443*2.9 3 35 18 68
64 April 1000 282 3.5 1 0.5 91 219
65 April 1100 296*3.7 4 42 87 342
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66 April 800 327 2.4 1 4 Animal died from injury
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67 April 1450 300*4.8 2 20 103 328
j 43 April 2400 409*2.9 2 Did not go down
~Wally April 1130 214 5.3 3 26 15 89-
~78 June 1200 387*3.1 2 2 22 104
'"75 July 1000 296*3.4 1 Did not go down
i
670 July 1000 273*3.6 1 Did not go down
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~12 July 1100 319*3.4 1 Did not go down
~35 July 2200 443*4.9 3 35 Had to hold down
•Raquel August 1600 395 4.0 1 7 46 99
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central nervous system depressant and a muscle relaxant.The drug has
proven to be effective ~d reliable in the Bovidae and larger
Camilidae (Rime and Jones,1970).
Sedation and analgesia were produced in moose using dosages
of 2.2 mg/kg body weight.The usefulness of this drug is limited for most
moose processing applications at the MRC due to the prolonged period of
ataxia experienced during recovery (up to 2 hours).Additional use will
be made of the drug to further test its applicability.
M-99 (Etorphine)and M 50-50 (Diprenorphine):As outlined by
LeResche (1970),M-99 incorporates most of the desirable qualities of an
immobilizing drug for moose.It has the added benefit of an available
and effective antagonist (M 50-50).
The dosage used by Houston (1970)on Shiras moose (AZces aZces
shirasiiJ was 3 to 5 mg.(0.4 +0.7 mg/IOO pounds)for adults,3 to 4 mg.
(0.6 to 0.8 mg./IOO pounds)for yearlings and 1 to 2 mg.(0.4 to 0.7 mg./IOO
pounds)for calves.LeResche (1970)noted that the dosage varied by
season and LeResche and Davis (1971)established ranges of doses from
4 to 5 mg.for 700 to 800 pound cows in the spring (0.6 mg./IOO pounds)
to 6 to 9 mg.for 900 to 980 pound cows in the fall (0.8 mg./IOO pounds).
During this report period,33 moose were immobilized using M-99 with
M 50-50 as the antagonist.The dosages were higher on a weight basis
than those reported by Houston (1970),and the doses for cows on a weight
basis were similar to those reported by LeResche and Davis (1971).
Results are summarized in Tables 2,3 and 4.
Doses of M-99 for both adult and yearling moose were similar (0.72
mg./IOO pounds)while moose calf doses were higher by unit of weight
(0.9 mg./IOO pounds).
Succinylcholine chloride (Anectine -Burroughs Wellcome and Co.,
Inc.):This drug continues to be the most used for the reasons enumerated
by LeResche and Davis:(1971).Tables 5,6 and 7 list the dosages used in
concentrations of 10 mg/cc with and without the enzyme hyaluronidase
(Wydase -Wyeth Laboratories,Inc.).Nine N.F.units of Wydase were
used per milligram of Anectine.During the period January 1,1972
to June 30,1973 a total of 194 moose were immobilized with Anectine at
the MRC.In Oc'tober,1972,80 free-ranging moose were immobilized
via helicopter on the Kenai Peninsula.Four moose (2 percent)died at
the MRC and eight moose (10 percent)died during helicopter tagging,all when
Wydase was used.
Induction times were over a minute greater for moose trapped outside
the MRC than those inside.Possible reasons for this are that outside
moose were in better condition and unaccustomed to trapping,thereby
more excited.Immobilization times were about the same for inside and
outside moose with means varying from 21 to 32 minutes.The percent of
moose immobilized was somewhat higher for outside moose than for inside,
possibly due to higher dosages normally used on the outside,yet no outside
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Table 2.Results of immobilization of adult moose at MRC with M-99 and M 50-50
Induction Time Reversal
Animal Total Weight Dose Time Immobilized Time (min)
No.Sex Month Dose mg Pounds ~/10011 Minutes Minutes M 50-50
Raquel F Nov.5 820 .60 14 36 0.5
5370 M Nov.5 750*.66 19 44 1
Raquel F Nov.5 820 .60 6 32 1
Raquel F Dec.7 845 .82 7 32 2
45 M Dec.7 865 .80 5 31 1
Raquel F Jan.7 850*.81 7 26 2
**65 M Feb.7 630 1.10 1 91 10
87 F Feb.6 800*.75 5 40 1
***53 M Feb.6.5 +3.0 725*1.30 34 63 1
91 F Feb.6.5 800*.81 20 58 1
Raquel F Feb.7 850*.82 17 49 1
53 M Mar.7 700 .71 8 33 2
91 F Mar.7 750*.93 9 29 1.5
84 F Mar.7 725*.96 5 20 1
176 F Mar.7 800*.87 13 94 4
177 F Mar.7 750*.93 9 50 2
Raquel F Mar.1 980 .72 8 35 10
Raquel F Apr.7 980*.72 8 28 2
52 F Apr.7 850*.82 13 14 Got up without M 50-50
72 F June 1 750*.93 9 33 1
37 F June 7 800*.87 10 19 1
1:J F June 7 750*.93 6 25 6
36 M June 8 825*.96 13 22 2
27 F June 7 750*.93 8 37 1
Mean 7 810 .82 10 35.8 2.1
*Estimated weight**Animal died about 2 hours later (was in extremely poor condition)
***Supplemental dose given.Assume first dose not complete
Neither **or ***are calculated into range or mean values
-7-
Table 3.Results of immobilization of a yearling male moose at MRC with M-99 and M 50-50
Induction Time Reversal
Animal Total Weight Dose Time Immobilized Time (min)
No.Month Dose mg Pounds mg/lOOI!Minutes Minutes M 50-50
Wally Nov.5 600 .83 14 36 0.5
Wally Nov.5 600 .83 6 24 1
Wally Dec 5 655 .76 5 47 1.5
Wally Feb.6 705 .85 6 44 2.0
Wally Mar.6 750*.80 6 34 0.5
Wally Apr.6 750*.80 6 20 0.5
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Table 4.Results of immobilization of moose calves at MRC with M-99 and M 50-50
Induction Time Reversal
Animal Total Weight Dose Time Immobilized Time (min)
No.Sex Month Dose mg Pounds mg/lOOfl Minutes Minutes M 50-50
92 F Nov.3 365 .82 8 39 1.5
96 M Dec.3 320 .93 10 31 La
97 M Jan.3 325*.92 7 18 La
Mean
*Estimated weight
Mean
*Estimated weight
676.7 .82
336.7 .89
-8-
7.2 34.2 1.0
11.7 29.3 1.2
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Table 5.Effects of Succinylcholine Chloride (Anectine)and Hyaluronidase (Wydase)administered to trapped moose within
the Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures.January 1,1972 to June 30,1973.(Sample size in parenthesis.)
Mean Induction Time (minutes)Mean Time Immobilized (minutes)
Anectine Anectine &Wydase Anectine Anectine &Wydase
Dose Milligrams Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
13 0 8(1)0 6(1)0 10(1)0 14(1)
13.5 7.5(3)10.6(23)2.5(1)8.3(13)41.5 (3)20.4(23)22(1)34.4(12)
14 9.1(7)8.9(9)4.5(1)5.2(5)9.1(7)18.6(9)14(1)20(5)
15 9.7(3)9 (1)0 6(1)15.7(3)25(1)0 17(1)
I 15.5 0 10.5(2)8(1)0 0 16.5(2)27(1)0\0
I 16 9 (2)0 6(1)0 26(2)0 21(1)0
17 6.3(3)0 0 0 19.3(3)0 0 0
17.5 0 0 0 9(1)0 0 0 21(1)
18 7(1)7.8(2)5.4(4)9.4(7)?21.5(2)79(1)31.5 (4)
18.5 0 0 8(1)0 0 0 39(1)0
19 6.5(2)7.2(6)6.5(2)8.1 (8)38.5(2)30.3(6)15(1)40.5(4)
20 7(1)11.3(4)3.8(3)4.3(4)30(1)22.9(4)32.3(2)34(4)
21 0 0 7.0(3)6.5(3)0 0 28(2)26(3)
21.5 0 0 4(1)0 0 0 44(1)0
Total Mean 8.2(22)8.2(48)4.8(18)7.5(43)25.1(21)20.9(48)31.0(12)28.4(35)
Table 6.Effects of Succinylcholine Chloride (Anectine)and Hyaluronidase (Wydase)administered to trapped moose outside
the Kenai Moose Research Center enclosures.January 1,1972 to June 30,1973.(Sample sizes in parenthesis.)
Mean Induction Time (minutes)
Dos e Milligrams Anectine Anectine &Wydase
of Anectine Male Female Male Female--
12.5 0 12 (1)0 0
13 0 12.8(5)0 0
13.5 10(1)13.3(3)0 15(1)
14 19(1)11.5(2)0 3(1)
15.5 0 0 0 9 (2)
I 16 0 11(1)0 0......18 5(1)6(4)3(1)6.9(9)0
I 19 6(1)0 6(1)6.0(14)
20 0 8.5(2)8(1)6.1(11)
Total Mean 7.5(4)9.7(18)5.7(3)6.4(38)
Mean Immobilized Time (minutes)
Anectine Anectine &Wydase
Male Female Male Female
0 34 (1)0 0
0 22.4(5)0 0
37(1)12.3(3)0 23(1)
25(1)27(2)0 12(1)
0 0
0 14.5(2)
0 14(1)0 0
32(1)21.8(3)30(1)30.1(9)
35(1)0 27(1)31.6(13)
0 30.5(2)9(1)25.8(11)
32.3(4)26.1(17)22(3)24.7(37)
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Table 7.Effects of Succinylcholine Chloride (Anectine)and Hyaluronidase
(Wydase)administered to free-ranging moose on the Kenai Peninsula
October,1972.(Sample sizes in parenthesis.)
Anectine with Wydase Mean Induction Time (Min.)Mean Time Immobilized (min.)
(!!!:S.of Anectine)Male Female Male Female
20 9.2 (22)8.9(18)24.8(6)26.5(2)
21 9.3(4)8.7(20)43.5(2)18.5(4)
22.5 13.5(2)5.7(3)23(2)Unk.
Total Mean 9.5(28)8.6(41)28.2(10)21.1(6)
-11-
mortalities were experienced.
Causes for moose not becoming immobilized varied.Seasonal differences
were obvious in that late winter and spring moose in poorer condition
went down easily.Of the four moose mortalities experienced with
Anectine immobilization,one died in February,two in April and one the
first part of June.Bulls appeared more susceptible to problems with the
drug in the spring,and smaller doses were given to them than to cows.
After mid-June,doses were gradually increased again.Fall moose in prime
condition were more difficult to immobilize.Layers of fat in the
rump region may have prevented the drug from getting into the bloodstream
as readily,consequently the animal would not respond.There did not
appear to be serious problems when drugging rutting bulls as reported by
LeResche and Davis (1971).All the free-ranging moose (see Tables 7 and 8)
were darted in October and bulls were immobilized more easily and experienced
lower mortality than cows.
The site of injection also played a role in whether the moose
became immobilized.Attempts were made to hit the moose in the rump
region,but when bad hits (abdomen,thoracic cavity,low on leg)occurred
moose usually did not go down.Darts bouncing off and substantial bleeding
from the dart would also reduce chances of immobilization.Individual
moose variation in susceptability to the drug must also be considered.It
appeared that some moose responded well to the drug each time they were
darted and others under like conditions did not respond at all.
Wydase decreased induction time 9 to 41 percent and increased the
percent of moose immobilized,but immobilization times were not altered
significantly.Although mortality rates are higher with Wydase,it
is useful when time must be saved as in helicopter tagging.
Manual artificial respiration was administered to eight moose at
the MRC.Four of these later died.A mobile artificial resuscitator
may help reduce these mortalities.
Pellet-count Census
2 Table 9 summarizes counts of pellet groups deposited in 160,17.9
m plots (192 square feet)in Pen 1.These were counted on May 10,11,
14 and 18,1973.
The plots were cleared in June,1971 (LeResche and Davis,1971)and
all groups were deposited between June,1971 and May,1973.The plots
were not read in 1972.Separation of past year from present year groups
was attempted on the basis of leaf and duff cover over pellet-groups,
deterioration of pellet-groups and color and texture of these groups.
Summer and winter groups were separated on basis of form.A fecal group
made up of distinguishable pellets was classified winter and a soft or
non-pelleted fecal deposit was classified as summer.
Moose days were calculated for the winters of 1971-72 and 1972-73
based upon a 2l0-day (November 1 to June 1)winter period and known
numbers of moose present (Table 10).The sample plots constitute 0.145
percent of the area utilized.Spruce-Zedum,grass,sedge and water areas
were discounted for winter pellet groups as they are primarily summer
-12-
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Table 8.Effects of Succinylcholine Chloride (Anectine)and Hyaluronidase
Percentage Immobilized Moose Darted
Anectine Anectine &Wydase
Hale Female Male Female--
Trapped Inside 63 68 67 74
MRC (22 of 35)(48 of 71)(18 of 27)(43 of 58)
Trapped Outside 80 67 75 81
MRC (4 of 5)(18 of 27)(3 of 4)(38 of 47)
Free-ranging -- -
65 55
Kenai Peninsula (35 of 54)(45 of 82)
I
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W
I
(Wydase)on moose.
Percentage Killed of Moose Immobilized
Anectine Anectine &Wydase
Male Female Male Female
0 0 11 5
(0 of 22)(0 of 48)(2 of 18)(2 of 43)
0 0 0 0
(0 of 4)(0 of 18)(0 of 3)(0 of 38)
6 13
(2 of 35)(6 of 45)
Table 9.Pellet groups deposited from June,1971 to May,1973 on 160 plots by habitat type in Pen 1,Kenai Moose Research Center.
NlDnber 1971-72 1971 Summer 1972-73 1972 SUDD11er
of Winter Pellet Groups/Plot Groups /Type Winter Pellet Groups/Plot Groups/Type
Habitat Type Plots 0 1 2 3 4 Tot %of Tot Tot %of Tot 0 1 2 3 4 Tot %of Tot Tot %of Tot
Dense birch-spruce
regrowth 25 7 9 6 3 0 30 27.8 3 27.3 8 14 1 1 1 23 27.7 6 27.3
MedilDn birch-spruce
regrowth 26 9 11 6 0 0 23 21.3 1 9.1 13 7 5 0 0 20 24.1 3 13.6
Thin birch-spruce
I regrowth 25 11 10 4 0 0 18 16.7 2 18.1 14 10 1 0 0 12 14.5 5 22.7
I-'.c-
1 Spruce birch
regrowth 24 14 8 2 0 0 12 11.1 3 27.3 20 4 0 0 0 4 4.8 3 13.6
Spruce regrowth 20 17 2 1 0 0 4 3.7 1 9.1 17 2 1 0 0 4 4.8 4 18.2
Dense mature
hardwood 20 14 6 0 0 0 6 5.6 1 9.1 14 6 0 0 0 6 7.2 1 4.6
Thin mature
hardwood 20 12 3 3 2 0 15 13.8 0 0.0 11 6 2 0 1 14 16.9 0 0.0
Total 160 85 49 22 5 0 108 100.0 11 100.0 96 49 10 2 22 83 100.0 22 100.0
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Table 11.Area measure of habitat types in Pen 1 at Kenai Moose Research
Center.
Vegetation Type Acreage Hectares
Dense birch-spruce regrowth 113 45.7
Medium birch-spruce regrowth 95 38.4
Thin birch-spruce regrowth 69 27.9
Spruce-birch regrowth 89 36.0
Dense mature hardwood 54 21.9
Thin mature hardwood 46 18.6
Spruce-Ledum 35 14.2
Grass 9 2.0
Sedge 28 11.3
Water 35 14.2
Total 594 240.4
-15-
use areas.Table 11 provides area measurements of habitat types in Pen 1
from which area utilized was extracted.
From known total winter pellet-groups deposited for each winter (Table 9),
total moose days (Table 10)and area represented by sample (Table 11),
it was calculated that moose during the winter of 1972-73 deposited 26.6
pellet groups/day and in the winter of 1971-72 28.4 pellet groups/day.
LeResche and Davis (1971)calculated deposition of 32.2 groups/day on plots
in Pen 1 cleared the previous year.LeResche (1970)reported 10.3 groups/moose/day
based upon pellet-count census and known numbers of moose.Several investigators
have reported pellet groups/day for deer;Smith (1964)reported 13.2
groups/day,Rogers et al.(1958)reported 15.2 groups/day,Rasmussen and
Doman (1943)found 12.7 groups/day and Eberhardt and VanEtten (1956)
reported 12.7 groups/day.Neff et al.(1965)reported 12.5 pellet groups/day
for elk.It appears that moose defecation rates from 26.6 to 32.2 groups/day
are higher than those reported for other ungulates.This may indicate an
inadequate pellet group sampling procedure.With established defecation
rates per day for moose based on definitive observations,it would be possible
to more accurately evaluate pellet-group census techniques for moose.
The defecation rates of 26.6 and 28.4 per day based upon a two-year
interval in reading plots substantiates the observers'ability to age winter
pellet groups in this study.Aging of summer fecal deposits is apparently
not valid,with a total of 11 summer deposits in 1971 and 22 in 1972.
Habitat selection by moose,as indicated by pellet groups per habitat
type (Table 9),demonstrates an affinity for birch {Betula glandulosa}
regrowth (combined dense,medium and thin birch-spruce {Picea sp.}regrowth)
areas.During the winter of 1971-72,65.8 percent of pellet groups were
in birch regrowth and correspondingly,66.3 percent in 1972-73.Summer
deposits also indicate a preference for birch regrowth areas with 54.5
percent of the deposits counted in these areas during the summer of 1971
and 63.6 percent in the summer of 1972.This does not necessarily imply
that summer preference is birch regrowth since spruce-Ledum,grass,and
sedge areas,which are observed to receive substantial summer use,were not sampled.
Spruce regrowth areas (combined spruce-birch regrowth and spruce
regrowth)for the winters of 1971-72 and 1972-73 contained 14.8 and
9.6 percent of the pellet groups,'respectiv~ly,indicating lower selectivitY.
as would be expected.
Mature hardwood areas (combined dense and thin mature hardwoods)
contained 19.4 and 24.1 percent of the pellet groups for the winters of
1971-72 and 1972-73,respectively.Hardwood areas contain the greatest
proportion of ground cover low-bush cranberry {Vaccinium vitis-ideae}.The
relatively substantial use of hardwood areas,reflected by pellet group
distribution,may further substantiate the importance of nonbrowse
vegetation in moose diets in the area as reported by LeResche and Davis (1973).
The use of hardwoods by moose in winter for protection,resting and relief
from snow,may,however,be the reason for pellet group distribution in those
areas.LeResche (1970),utilizing habitat-use indices derived from pellet-count
data,demonstrated similar habitat use trends with some differences in rank
of use between habitat types.
-16-
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Table 10.Moose days in Pen 1 for winters of 1971-72 and 1972-73*.
Moose Nwnber
3
670
10
Calf of 10
35
40
Calf of 40
43
58
R-70-8
Calf of R-70-8
69
64
65
76
Calf of 76
93
96
6
Calf of 6
Total
*Based on 210~day winter period (November 1 to June 1)
-17-
Rumen Sampling Via Trocar
A procedure to obtain rumen contents from elk and deer using a trocar
is outlined by Follis and Spillett (1972).This procedure was used on a
four-year-old male moose at the MRC on June 30,1972.The technique is
easily accomplished and,with the moist rumen contents in June,it was easy
to obtain a sample without the mechanical fingers.This particular animal
experienced difficulties while immobilized and rolled on his side after
being trocared and some leakage of rumen contents into the abdominal cavity
was noted.The animal recovered from immobilization and was released
back into Pen 2.The moose was seen on July 18,but was found dead on
August 3.The condition of the carcass did not permit an autopsy
to determine cause of death,but it is possible that the moose developed
peritonitis from rumen contents spilled into the abdominal cavity.
It is important,particularly in summer when rumen contents are
more fluid,to retain the animal in sternal recumbancy or preferably
standing position for the trocar procedure.The rumen trocar can
be utilized when necessary to obtain rumen samples,but the use of a
stomach tube and pump is preferred,particularly during the summer.
Rumen Sampling Via Stomach Tube and Pump
To obtain rumen liquor for in-vitro digestion trials a 9 foot by
1/2 inch (inside diameter)plastic stomach tube and a standard two-way
veterinary stomach pump were used.With the dry compacted rumen contents
during winter,it was necessary to pump water into the rumen and allow
it to mix with the rumen contents for about 5 minutes prior to pumping the
mixture back out.
This method is preferred over the trocar method for our purposes
as we have the moose immobilized and can devote the extra time involved
with the stomach pump.Moose immobilized with M-99 for this procedure
should also be given a tranquilizer (Acepromazine,Ayerst Laboratories,
New York,N.Y.)due to the potential time involved.
Marking Techniques
The color-coded collars described by LeResche and Davis (1971)were
utilized during this report period for marking outside moose trapped at
the MRC and those immobilized via helicopter for movement study (Job 1.7R).
New collars which combine color and numbers for individual identification
were ordered to replace the depleted supply.The collars are made of
canvas-webbing 15 cm wide with three 13 cm high numbers from 1 to 99 on
each collar.Various color combinations of numbers and collar background
will permit several series of numbers.A collar was placed on Raquel,
our tame moose,and the colors and number were easily recognized from the
air in a Supercub by Jim Davis,Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Freeze-branding with a spray-on refrigerant (Cryokwik,International
Equipment Company)was attempted on March 27,1973.One area on the left
-18-
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flank of Wally,Jr.,our semi-tame moose,was clipped and sprayed for
20 seconds.The right flank was sprayed for 20 seconds without clipping
the hair,and an area on the rump was sprayed for 20 seconds after
parting the hair.No adverse effects were noted,however,no brand
resulted.
A modified freeze-branding technique,as outlined by R.K.Farrell,
Endoparasite Vector Pioneering Research Laboratory,Pullman,Washington
(personal communication),was also attempted on Wally,Jr.The procedure
utilized Freon 12 and Freon 22 gas in pressurized cans and stainless steel
"cookie cutterll devices,one rectangular and one "L"shaped.The area
to be branded was clipped and the "cookie cutters"were held against
the skin on a horizontal area to produce a pool when sprayed with the
Freon.The area was sprayed for a period of time and then quickly
thawed with warm water.The procedure used is outlined in Table 12.
Due to the timing of this report,no final determination on this
trial was made,but preliminary observations indicate that Freon 22 for
30 seconds with a quick thaw and Freon 22 for five and ten seconds with
no thaw (areas 4,5 and 6)provided the best brand.Areas 1,2 and 3
produced excessive scarring.
Aerial Census
Testing of observer success in aerial composition counts was planned
for this report period;but,due to total calf and yearling loss in the
winter of 1971-72 and total calf loss in the winter of 1972-73 at the MRC,
there were no calf,yearling or 2-year-01d moose to classify.
Helicopter surveys made of the pens on June 20,1972 and June 18,1973
to determine spring survival and production in known populations of moose are
summarized in Table 13.The percent of moose observed in 1972 was 81 compared
to 95 percent observed in 1973.The increase in percent of observed
moose in 1973 can be attributed to increase in survey time (42 minutes)
and increase in the observers'experience,as conditions otherwise were
similar.One calf,not observed on the helicopter survey of 1972,was
accounted for by subsequent ground observations.Five of six calves were
observed from the air.The survey of 1973 revealed nine calves and one
additional calf has subsequently been observed.This calf was believed to
have been born after the survey.
Trapping Success
The layout of traps at the MRC was diagrammed by LeResche and Davis
(1971).A new trap was built in the northwest corner of Pen 4 and put into
operation in January,1973.Design for the traps was described by LeResche
and Lynch (1973).Nine outside and 11 inside traps are now being used.
Their relative success is shown in Tables 14 and 15.
A processed moose was one that was immobilized and marked or had the
standard physiologic procedures performed.MOose were released when they
had been processed within the previous three to four weeks.Others were released
-19-
Table 12.Freeze-branding trial utilizing bottled Freon gas on June 4,1973.
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Area
1
2
3
4
5
6
Type of Gas Time (Sec.)Type of Thaw
Freon 12 30 Delayed
Freon 12 45 Quick
Freon 22 15 Quick
Freon 22 30 Quick
Freon 22 5 None
Freon 22 10 None n
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Table 13.Helicopter surveys of known populations of moose at Kenai Moose Research Center.
June 20,1972 June 18,1973
Helicopter Helicopter
Pen Time Moose Moose Percent Pen Time Moose Moose Percent
No.(Min.)*Present Observed Observed No.(Min.)*Present Observed Observed
1 49 12 9 75 1 43 10 10 100
2 49 14 11 79 2 51 7 7 100
3 49 8 7 88 3 30 7 6 86
4 49 13 11 85 4 114 13 12 92
I
N
~Total 196 47 38 81 Total 238 37 35 95I
*Total time only available -divided equally for each pen.
Table 14.Trap effectiveness by individual trap and pen within the enclosures at the Kenai Moose Research Center,
April,1972 to June,1973.
Trap No.Trap No.Moose No.Moose No.Moose No.Malfunctions No.Malfunctions No.Moose Driven Trap
No.Nights Processed Released Escaped (moose)(other)into Trap Success
1E 135 16 11 1 2 2 2 .21
1W 99 7 3 -2 -1 .10
IN 123 12 3 --2 -.12
2S 131 14 6 -7 1 -.15
2E 127 12 5 -6 2 -.13
I CP-2 87 11 3 2 -2 1 .18N
N 3N 68 6 1 --1 -.10I3S10814321.16--
4SE 90 10 4 -3 1 -.16
4S 96 5 3 1 1 1 1 .09
4NW 51 14 9 -5 2 1 .45
Pen 1 357 35 17 1 4 4 3 .15
Pen 2 345 37 14 2 13 5 1 .15
Pen 3 176 20 4 -2 2 -.13
Pen 4 237 29 16 1 9 4 2 .19
All Pens 1115 121 51 4 28 15 6 .16
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Table 15.Trap effectiveness by individual trap outside the enclosures at the Kenai Moose Research Center,April,
1972 to June,1973.
Trap No.Trap No.Moose No.Moose No.Moose No.Malfunctions No.Malfunctions No.Moose Driven Trap
No.Nights Processed Released Escaped (moose)(other)into Trap Success
10E 108 9 5 2 4 --.15
lOS 91 16 6 --3 -.24
lOW 71 6 ---2 -.08
10N 72 7 2 2 1 --.15
20N 72 3 -1 --2 .06
30N 65 6 4 3 -1 -.20
40S 89 8 -2 1 1 -.11
40E 91 13 3 4 -1 -.22
~40W 107 6 5 -1 3 -.10
Vol
I
All Traps 766 74 25 14 7 11 2 .15
when they didn't respond to the drug,became overheated or were calves
and processing was not desired.If more than one moose was caught per
trap,one was released.Moose that escaped generally went over the top of
the fence after it had been smashed down or between the gate and fence.
When this happened the fence was reinforced or the gate readjusted to reduce
loss.Escape was greatest during the winter on the outside when moose,
not accustomed to entrapment,stood on approximately one-half meter of
hard-packed snow.The fence barrier apparently was not as much of a
deterrent at this time.A common source of malfunction was the trigger
string.Monofilament line was tried because of its transparency,but
proved too elastic and normally only triggered one gate before breaking.
Malfunctions,other than those caused when moose were present,were largely
caused by wind knocking the trigger loose on one gate.On separate occasions
a brown (Ursus aretas)and a black bear (Ursus amerieanusJ triggered traps.
Malfunctions that occurred during the day and went unnoticed,took away the
subsequent trap night,since moose were normally trapped during their period
of greatest activity near dawn (LeResche and Lynch,1973).We were able to
drive some moose standing near a trap along the fence into the trap by
snowmachine,truck or walking.The trap success was calculated by dividing
the total number of moose caught by the number of trap nights.
Little difference in overall trapping success was noted for
outside and inside traps,although there was much variability between
individual traps.Differences between pens are likely a function of
density.Throughout this reporting period Pens 1 and 2 had 11-12 moose,
Pen 3 had seven moose and Pen 4 had 20-25 moose.
When seasonal variations were considered (Tables 16 and 17)trapping
success differences between outside and inside traps were more noticeable.
Trapping success was highest during December and January for outside traps
but quite low for inside traps during the same months.A likely cause
was that moose are migrating to winter areas at this time and are more
susceptible to being trapped.During summer and early fall trapping was
best inside the pens but outside there was little success.Effort was
reduced outside at that time because of the lack of activity.There
was little or no trapping effort in May both years because of breakup.
Trapping success during this reporting period was lower than that
reported by LeResche (1970)and LeResche and Lynch (1973).This may
partially be due to moose inside the pens becoming accustomed to the
locations of traps and avoiding those areas.They may also have learned
to avoid triggering the trap.On 18 occasions moose inside the pens walked
to the trigger string and either turned away or jumped over it.This could
be told by tracks in soft ground or snow.Another possible cause of
lower trap success was that effort was greatly increased in all months
of the year to get a desired sample of moose both on the inside and outside
(Job 1.lR,this report).
An attempt was made to increase trap success during the spring and
summer of 1972 by using salt blocks.Salt was placed under the trigger
string in most traps and was quite successful in attracting bulls in
early summer.One particular bull (#36,Pen 2)defended a salt block
-24-
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Table 16.Trap effectiveness by month for traps inside the enclosures at the Kenai Moose Research Center.
No.Trap No.Moose No.Moose No.Moose No.Malfunctions No.Malfunctions No.Moose Driven Trap
Month Nights Processed Released Escaped (moose)(other)into Trap Success
1972 April 170 4 -1 -2 1 .03
May 5 1 -----;.20
June 80 18 4 -5 3 -~8
July 100 21 17 1 5 3 -.19--,
Aug.61 12 8 1 3 1 -.34 ,,~
Sept.35 11 2 -1 --.37 '
I Oct.47 5 1 1 4 1 .15N-
V1 Nov.82 11 1 .13I----
Dec.68 4 1 -1 -2 .07
1973 Jan.78 6 4 -2 -3 .13
Feb.81 8 6 -2 --.17
Mar.137 5 1 -2 3 -.04
Apr.65 2 1 ----.05
May a
June 106 13 6 -2 2 -.18
1115 121 51 4 28 15 6 .16
Table 17.Trap effectiveness.by .month..for.traps-..Qut.side ..the..enclosureu:r.at .the Kenai Moose Research Center.
No.Trap No.Moose No.Moose No.Moose No.Malfunctions No.Malfunctions No.Moose Driven Trap
Month Nights Processed Released·..Escaped·........(moose)........'"(other)......·into Trap·Success
1972,April 75 5 --....2 .....07
May 3 -- ----.00
June 31 2 1 -1 --.10
July 1 1 - -
....-...1.00
Aug.2 -- -
....--.00
Sept.38 5 ---3 -.13
Oct.137 7 10 3 ....1 -.15
I 4 .08NNov.50 ---....-0\
I Dec.57 10 1 2 1 ....-.23
1973,Jan.71 7 3 5 1 .........21
Feb.89 11 2 4 1 1 .....19
Mar.76 10 - -
1 4 1 .13
Apr.49 3 1 -....-1 .•08
May 0 - ----1 ...
June 87 9 7 -2.-.....18
766 74 25 14 7 11 2 .15
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and displayed aggressively toward us and our vehicle when approached.
Two cows and one calf also came to the salt frequently.As the summer
iprogresssed,less use was made of the salt blocks.The blocks were
removed to reduce influences on physiologic studies but enough had
leached into the soil that some moose still licked the ground in the spring
of 1973.No natural salt licks have been located in the vicinity outside
the enclosures;however,outside moose were not attracted to salt
blocks placed in outside traps.
Raising Orphaned Moose Calf
On June 21,1972 an orphaned moose calf was brought to the 11RC
and held in the trap behind the cabin which was converted temporarily
to a moose calf pen.The female calf weighed 15.5 kg.(34 pounds)and was
estimated to be less than one week old.She was raised to supplement
tame moose studies.Chronology of events related to raising the calf
is presented in Table 18 and a popularized version of the events has been
published (Franzmann,1973).
The calf was allowed to browse freely outside the enclosures and
feeding observations were made.The browse in order of preference was:
willow (Salix Sp.),fireweed blossoms (Epilobium angustifolium)~
bunchberry ('Comus canadensis)and birch.
Once the calf was free to browse (after July 1)she began to gain
weight and overcame her digestive problems demonstrated by clinical diarrhea.
Allowing her freedom to browse also permitted her to wander off.The
calf was gone and on her own from August 19 to October 19,1972.When
she reappeared she was quite thin,but appeared healthy.At that time,
she was placed into Pen 1,but she has not been seen since,in spite of
intensive searches.We assume that she died,but are unaware of the
circumstances.
A male calf born to our tame moose (Raque1)weighed 14.5 kg.(32 pounds)
at birth and at one week of age weighed 23.6 kg.(52 pounds),gaining
1.3 kg.(2.86 pounds)per day during his first week.The orphaned moose
in contrast was over one month old before she attained the one-week-01d
weight of Raque1's calf.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Biotelemetry investigations should be pursued based upon work in
other fields and the availability of equipment and expertise.
2.Research to more definitively establish the number of pellet-groups
deposited per day for moose and the timing of change to and from pellet
and summer deposits should be accomplished .
3.Testing of observer success in aerial composition counts should be
done at the Moose Research Center when the moose composition within the
pens warrants it.
-27-
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Table 18.Chronology of Events in Raising a Moose Calf.
1.Suckle,Albers Milling Co.
2.Don's Calf Starter Pellets,Alaska Mill and Feed,Anchorage.
3.Betalin Complex F.C.,Eli Lilly Co.,Indianapolis,Ind.
15.5
Body
Weight
(kg)Event I'
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Calf scouring -given 1 cc vitamin
injection3 daily for 1 week.
Reduced consumption
3.79 liters (1 gallon)milk replacer
given daily hereafter (8 hr.
schedule).Calf browses daily,
eats pellets.
Broke to lead with halter.
Began turning out daily to browse.
Wandered away -missing for 2 months.
Returned to area,put into Pen 1.
Placed on 4 hr.schedule.
Began browsing.
Drinking from pan.
Placed on 6 hr.schedule.
Began eating calf pellets 2
16.4
19.1
24.6
27.3
35.0
39.5
Milk Replacer l
Consumed
Date (liter)
June 21 .15
June 22 .47
June 23 2.07
June 24 1.33
June 25 1.66
June 26 2.46
June 27 3.32
June 28 4.98
June 29 4.74
June 30 2.84
July 1 3.79
July 12
July 26
Aug.3
Aug.10
Aug.17
Aug.19
Oct.19
[
-28-
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LITERATURE CITED
Berg,W.E.and R.L.Phillips.1972.Winter spacing of moose in northwestern
Minnesota.Trans.8th N.Am.Moose Conf.and Workshop,Thunder
Bay,Ont.:166-176.
Bergerud,A.T.,A.Butt,H.L.Russell and H.Whalen.1964.Immobilization
of Newfoundland caribou and moose with succinylcholine chloride
and Cap-Chur equipment.J.Wi1d1.Manage.28(1):49-53.
Boyd,J.C.,W.J.L.Sladen,H.A.Baldwin.1967.Biotelemetry of penguin
body temperature.1966-67.Anarctic U.S.2(4):97-99.
Downhower,J.F.and J.D.Pauley.1970.Automated recordings of body
temperature from free ranging yellow-bellied marmots.J.Wi1d1.
Manage.34(3):639-641.
Eberhardt,L.and R.C.VanEtten.1956.Evaluation of the pellet group count
as a deer census method.J.Wi1d1.Manage.20(1):70-74.
Edwards,R.Y.and R.W.Ritcey.1958.Reproduction in a moose population.
J.Wi1d1.Manage.22(3):261-268.
Folk,G.E.1968.Telemetry of physiological function of large carnivores.
Proc.Workshop.Bio1.Bears.,Proc.AAAS (Alaska Branch)19:52-63.
Follis,T.B.and J.J.Spi11ett.1972.A new method for rumen sampling.
J.Wi1d1.Manage.36(4):1336-1340.
Franzmann,L•.1973.My summer with Tillie - a moose.Alaska Magazine
39 (7):8,76-77.
Rime,J.M.and D.M.Jones.1970.The use of xy1azine in captive wild
animals.Proc.11th International Symposium on Diseases of
Zoo Animals,Budapast,Hungary.
Houseknecht,C.R.
studies.
1970.Biotelemetry as a technique in disease ecology
J.Wi1d1.Dis.6(4):414-417.
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand
Teton Natur.History Assn.Tech.Bull.1.110 pp.
1969.Immobilization of the Shiras moose.J.Wi1d1.Manage.
33(3):534-537.
1970.Immobilization of moose with M-99 etorphine.J.
Mammal.51(2):396-399.
Johnson,D.C.,P.D.Arneson and A.W.Franzmann.1973.Behavior and
survival in orphaned and nonorphaned moose calves.Final Rep.
Job 1A-1.1 Fed.Aid in Wi1d1.Restoration.Alaska Dept.Fish
and Game.
-29-
Ko,W.H.and M.R.Neuman.1967.Implant biotelemetry and micro electronics.
Science 156:351-360.
LeResche,R.E.1970.Moose report.AnnualProj.Progress Rep.Fed.Aid
in Wildl.Restoration.Alaska Dept.of Fish and Game.
and J.L.Davis.1971.Moose report.Annual Proj.Progress-------
Rep.Fed.Aid in Wildl.Restoration.Alaska Dept.of Fish and
Game.
_______and G.M.Lynch.1973.A trap for free-ranging moose.J.
Wildl.Manage.37(1):87-89.
and R.A.Rausch.In press.Accuracy and precision of aerial
moose censusing.J.Wildl.Manage.
Lonsdale,E.M.,B.Bradach and E.T.Thorne.1971.A telemetry system
to determine body temperature in pronghorn antelope.J.
Wildl.Manage.35(4):747-751.
Lord,R.D.,Jr.,F.C.Bellrose,and W.W.Cochran.1962.Radiotelemetry
of the respiration of a flying duck.Science 137:39-40.
MacKay,R.S.1968.Biomedical telemetry:sensing and transmitting
biological information from animals to man.John Wiley and
Sons,Inc.,N.Y.388 pp.
McGinnis,S.M.,V.A.Finch,and A.M.Harthoorn.1970.A radio telemetry
technique for monitoring temperatures from unrestrained
ungulates.J.Wildl.Manage.34(4):921-925.
and T.P.Southworth.1967.Body temperature fluctuations in------the northern elephant seal.J.Mammal.48(3):484-485.
Neff,D.J.1968.The pellet-group technique for big game trend,census
and distribution:a review.J.Wildl.Manage.32(3):597-614.
_____,O.C.Wallmo and D.C.Morrison.1965.A determination of
defecation rate for elk.J.Wildl.Manage.29(2):406-407.
Ostbye,E.1970.A new temperature gradient apparatus for use on
terrestrial arthropods and small vertebrates.Norwegian J.Zool.
18(1):75-79.
Peek,J.M.1962.Studies of moose in the Gravelly and Snowcrest
Mountains,Montana.J.Wildl.Manage.34(1):37-46.
Pimlott,D.H.1959.Reproduction and productivity of Newfoundland
moose.J.Wildl.Manage.23(4):381-401.
-30-
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L
Rasmussen,D.I.and E.R.Doman.1943.Census methods and their application
in the management of mule deer.Trans.N.Am.Wildl.Conf.
8:369-380.
Rausch,R.A.and A.and A.Bratlie.1965.Annual assessments of moose calf
production and mortality in southcentral Alaska.Ann.Conf.
W.Assn.State Fish and Game Commissioners 45:140-146.
Riley,J.L.1971.Frequency-to-voltage converter for recording animal
temperature by radiotelemetry.J.Applied Physiol.30(6):
890-892.
Rogers,G.,O.Julander and W.L.Robinette.1958.Pellet-group counts
for deer census and range-use-index.J.Wildl.Manage.22(2):
193-199.
Simkin,D.W.1965.
Ontario.
Reproduction and productivity of moose in northwestern
J.Wildl.Manage.29(4):740-750.
~later,L.E.1963.Bio-telemetry.The use of telemetry in behavior and
physiology in relation to ecological problems.Proc.Interdisciplinary
Conf.N.Y.Pergamon Press,N.Y.373 pp.
Smith,A.D.1964.Defecation rates of mule deer.J.Wildl.Manage.
28(3):435-444.
Stevens,D.R.1970.Winter ecology of moose in the Gallatin Mountains,
Montana.J.Wildl.Manage.34(1):37-46.
Van Ballenberghe,V.and J.M.Peek.1971.
moose in northeastern Minnesota.
Radiotelemetry studies of
J.Wildl.Manage.35(1):63-71.
Will,G.B.and E.F.Patric.1972.A contribution toward a bibliography
on wildlife telemetry and radio tracking.A joint contribution
of New York Fed.Aid and Wi1dl.Restoration Proj.W-123-R
and Rhode Island Agr.EXper.Station,Contribution 1439.
PREPARED BY:
Albert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Game Biologists
SUBMITTED BY:.
Karl B.Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
-31-
APPROVED BY:
~£.m~ame
JOB PROGRESS REPORT (RESEARCH)
State:Alaska
Cooperators:Albert W.Franzmann and Paul D.Arneson
Project No:
Job No:
W-17-5
1.2R
Project Title:Big Game Investigations
Job Title:Moose Behavior
Period Covered:July 1,1972 through June 30,1973
SUMMARY
Cratering activity was monitored in relation to snow depth,time
spent cratering,time spent browsing,paws per crater and number of
craters.The importance of nonbrowse food obtained through cratering
activity was substantiated.The possibility of a negative energy
balance situation resulting from cratering activities for forage with
certain snow conditions was suggested.
i
CONTENTS
Summary •.
Background
Objectives
Procedures
Findings • . • • • • •
Big Indian Creek Populations
Lower Funny River Air Strip -Tustumena
Benchland Populations ..
Recommendations ••
Literature Cited ••••.•••
BACKGROUND
· i
1
· 2
• 3
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Moose (Alces alces)in the lowland areas of the Kenai Peninsula have
received considerable hunting pressure for many years.In late fall,moose
herds in these areas are characterized by a relatively low bull-cow ratio
(less than 20 bulls:lOO cows)and a higher calf-cow ratio than highland
populations.Few large bulls are observed during fall in the lowlands
prior to November when many highland bulls move downward.Calf-cow ratios
recorded in November have ranged from 33 calves:lOO cows in 1970 to 41:100
in 1972.A sizable portion of the northern lowland area is seral birch
(Betula gZandulosa)range--a product of the 1947 Sterling Burn.Although
browse (primarily birch)is abundant throughout the area,substantial
numbers of moose have died during severe winters.From November,1971 to
May,1972,over 80 percent of the calves died in Game Management Subunit
l5A and over 65 percent of the calves died during the same period in
1972-73.After two successive winters of heavy mortality,population
estimates by personnel of the Kenai National Moose Range have dropped
from 7,900 ~1,400 (90%confidence level)minimum north of the Kasilof
River in early 1971 to 5,692 +1,348 (90%confidence level)minimum in
early 1973.Although there is overlap in these population ranges,the
change in means probably reflects a true population reduction.
The moose traditionally using climax willow ranges in the highland
areas,but wintering on the lowland areas,received little hunting
pressure in the past.However,they have been gradually receiving more
pressure as evidenced by declining bull-cow ratios.In Subunit l5B
the ratio dropped from 44 bulls:lOO cows in 1964 to 31 bulls:lOO cows
in 1972;in the Unit 7 highlands from 47 bulls:100 cows in 1961 to 17 bulls:
100 cows in 1972.Calf proportions have remained low in these groups.
Increasing pressure on Kenai Peninsula moose and their habitat
necessitated greater understanding of the moose resource.Data needs
and their possible management application were summarized by LeResche
and Davis (1971)as follows:
With the formalization of moose management plans for the Kenai
and the designation of certain areas as trophy,foothunting
-1-
and maximum sustained yield hunting areas,delineation of these
various groups,their interactions,their seasonal movements,and
their calving and breeding sites,has become imperative.Further,
the proposed classification of more than one million acres of the
area as wilderness,as well as the possibility of a limited access
road bisecting part of the area,requires specific knowledge
of the migrations of these moose.Descriptions of populations and
their movements would,1)allow harvesting of desired portions of
specified moose herds and prevent harvesting of trophy-class bulls
while they are away from trophy-management areas (and often
antlerless),2)prevent unnecessary restriction of activities (eg:by
wilderness designation)in area~of key winter range,where habitat
manipulation might someday become necessary,3)contraindicate
development of small areas seasonally crucial to large numbers of
moose (eg:during calving,rutting,or wintering)and 4)provide
valid data relative to possible obstructions presented by future
proposed highways and other projects.
The literature contains few major studies of moose migrations and/or
movements in North America.LeResche (1973)made a comprehensive review
of existing literature and summarized moose movements as follows:
Seasonal home ranges are typically small (5-10 km 2 ),and the same
ranges are occupied annually by individual moose.Yearlings and
rutting bulls in some areas have larger and less fixed home ranges.
Movements between seasonal home ranges (migrations)may be classified
along a continuum including Type A (short distance movements between
two seasonal ranges with little change in elevation),Type B (medium
to long distance movements between only two seasonal ranges with
significant differences in elevation between higher summer-fall
ranges and lower winter ranges),and Type C (medium to long distance
movements between three distinct seasonal ranges with significant
changes in elevation).Several types of movements may occur in one
area,resulting in aggregations and segregations of population segments.
Movements follow traditional routes,although timing may vary annually.
Snow,forage and internal stimuli mediate seasonal movements.Physical
and environmental distances between seasonal ranges vary,but generally
the shortest migrations occur in flat habitat with little environmental
gradient.Regular migrations of from 1 km to 170 km are reported from
North America.Moose do disperse into new habitat,but the traditionality
of home ranges and movement patterns impedes this dispersal.Many
"dispersals"reported may in fact have been local population increases.
Moose migrations provide optimal physical,biotic and social environments
on a seasonal basis.
LeResche suggested that the most definitive movement studies were those
reported by Edwards and Ritcey (1956)in British Columbia,Knowlton (1960)
in Montana,Berg (1971)and Van Ballenberghe and Peek (1971)in Minnesota,
Houston (1968)in Wyoming,Goddard (1970)in Ontario,and LeResche (1972)
in Alaska.
OBJECTIVES
To identify populations and key habitat areas and to learn seasonal
patterns of movement by moose on the Kenai Peninsula.
-2-
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PROCEDURES
Moose were tagged using helicopters (Nielson and Shaw,no date)or
fenceline traps (LeResche and Lynch,1973)and succinylcholine chloride
in projected syringes.The enzyme,hyaluronidase,was added to the drug.
Between July 1,1972 and June 30,1973,12 moose were tagged in Big
Indian Creek,60 were tagged in the Tustumena Benchland-Lower Funny River
Airstrip area,43 were tagged outside the enclosures at the Kenai Moosee
Research Center (MRC)and one was tagged after being rescued from being
mired in mud (Table 1).Figs.1 and 2 show tagging areas for all animals
collared to date.All of the above-mentioned animals were tagged to be
distinguishable from afar as individuals (an exception was several calves
tagged at the MRC that were ear tagged only).They were made identifiable
by color-coded canvas web (Table 1 and Fig.3)neck collars obtained from
Denver Tent and Awning Co.,Denver,Colorado.The MRC tagged animals
were marked with metal ear-tags (Salt Lake Stamp Co.,Salt Lake City,Utah)
and silver Saflag (Safety Flag Co.of America,Pawtuket,R.I.)material
in the right ear of females and the left ear of males.All other tagged
animals were ear marked with Goliath Rototags (Dalton Supplies Ltd.,Henley-
on-Thames,Nettlebed,England).
Weekly reconnaissance or counting flights were attempted by Alaska
Department of Fish and Game personnel to monitor movements of the 320
moose tagged prior to June 30,1972 and the 116 marked since then (Table
2).Additional sightings were made by U.S.Bureau of Sport Fisheries
and Wildlife and Alaska Department of Fish and Game personnel during
cooperative sex and age composition surveys and a random stratified
population estimate count.Personnel of both agencies also contributed
miscellaneous observations of collared moose.Resightings and locations of
hunter-killed collared moose were reported by the public.
FINDINGS
Nine hundred and eighty-three recoveries and resightings of tagged
moose have been recorded through June 30,1973 (Table 3).Based on the
413 recoveries and sightings of tagged moose accrued through June 15,1971,
LeResche and Davis (1971)presented a thorough discussion of inferences
of population identities,movements,and concentrating areas for groups
tagged at Mystery Creek,Bottenintnin Lake,Kenai Moose Research Center
and Moose River Flats.This 1971 discussion was based on an analysis of
resightings by season,location and (tagging)group without benefit of
resightings of identifiable individuals (except for resightings of four
presumed identifiable individuals).Many resightings of identifiable
individuals from the 1970 and 1971 Moose River Flats tagging and the MRC
taggings have subsequently been made (Table 4).At present the resightings
warrant little elaboration on population identity and concentrating areas
of these groups.Resightings of individuals from the Big Indian Creek,
Lower Funny River Strip and upper Benchland taggings have suggested rutting,
wintering and spring-calving use areas for these populations.Since these
were all rutting groups they are considered true populations (i.e.:
randomly interbreeding groups).
-3-
Table 1.Moose tagged in Game Management Units 15 and 7)Kenai Peninsula,October 1968 -April 1973.
Totals
Tagging Location
I
~
I
Mystery-Dike Creek (highlands)October 1968
Bottenintnin Lake (lowlands)March 1970
Moose River Flats (lowlands)June 1970
Moose Research Center (lowlands)
Moose River Flats May 1971
Skilak-Tustumena Bench April 1971
Big Indian Creek October 1972
Tustumena Benchland October 1972
Lower Funny River Airstrip
Number Tagged
Males Females Sex ?Calves Total
10 18 0 0 28
16 52 1 0 69
26 43 2 0 71
12 106 0 12 130
10 51 0 0 61
2 2 0 0 4
2 10 0 0 12
19 8 0 0 27
12 21 0 0 33
109 312 3 12 436
Identification Code
Female
Ear Collar Ear Pendant
Left orange Red Righ t orange None
Left orange White Righ t orange None
Left green White Right green Red Al-AlOO
Left silver White Right silver White 51-100
Left yellow Pink/red*Righ t yellow Red Cl-C100
Left yellow Radio Right yellow Red:"c"series
Left silver **Right silver None
White "Roto"**White "Roto"None
White "Roto"**Whi te "Roto"None
Male
Collar
Ye11ow/orange*
YBWRP**
YBWRP**
YBWRP**
Yellow
Blue
Blue
Blue
Yel1mv/orange*
Mystery Creek
Bottenintnin Lake
Moose River Flats (1970)
MRC (prior to March 1972)
Moose R.Flats (1971)
Skilak-Tustumena
Benchland (1971)
MRC (Post March 1972)
Big Indian Creek (1972)
Tustumena Benchland 1972
Area
*Colored stripes on both sides of collar make the moose identifiable as individuals.
**Collars comprised of 4 quarters (left front;right front;left rear;right rear)consisting of some combination of
from 2 to 4 of the following colors make these moose individually identifiable:yellow,blue,white)red)pink.
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Figure 3.Design of canvas web neck collars used to identify tagged moose
as individuals.
~42"for cows ~
52"for bulls ~
Panel 1
Panel 3
Panel 2
Panel 4
Panels consist of any combination of the following colors:red,yellow,
blue,white,pink.
-7-
[
[
f'
I
r
Table 2.Reconnaissance flights by Alaska Department of Fish and Game for collared moose.l
Date
13 July '72
25 July '72
1 Aug.'72
21 Sept.'72
3 Oct.'72
17 Oct.'72
27 Oct.'72
14 Nov.'72
21 Nov.'72
27 Nov.-2 Dec.'72
21 Dec.'72
27 Dec.'72
17 Jan.'73
31 Jan.'73
1 Feb.'73
3 Feb.'73
9 Feb.'73
12-15 Feb.'73
20 Feb.'73
22 Feb.'73
26 Feb.'73
27 Feb.'73
9 Mar.'73
16 Mar.'73
21 Mar.'73
3 Apr.'73
16 Apr.'73
8 May '73
10 May'73
16 May '73
24 May '73
14 June '73
15 June '73
Total
Area
Tust.-Skilak Benchland
69 &47 Burn,Tust.-Skilak Lowlands
47 Burn &Kenai Mts.
Kenai Mts.
Kenai Mts.
Tust.Benchland
Kenai Mts.
Lowlands Burns
Lowlands
Misc.-Sex &age composition counts
Kenai Mts.
Kenai Mts.&Lowlands
Benchland &Lowlands
Benchland
Lowlands
Kenai Mts.
Lowlands
Random strat.counts
47 Burn
Benchland
47 Burn
47 Burn
Kenai Mts.
Benchland
Lowlands
Lowlands &Kenai Mts.
Benchland
Lowlands
MRF -Lowlands
Lowlands
MRF
Benchland
MRF -Lowlands
-8-
Collared Moose
o
4 FF
o
4FF,lMM
12 FF,1 MM
o
6 FF,2 MM
2 FF
3 FF
46 FF,15 MM
2 FF,1 MM
7 FF,2 MM
3FF,3MM
3 FF,2 MM
8 FF
10 FF,2 MM
4 FF
13 FF,4 MM
11 FF
6 FF
15 FF
1 FF
5 FF
4 FF,4 MM
o
o
16 FF
3 FF
11 FF,2 MM
6FF,lMM
10 FF,1 MM
3 FF,7 MM
4 FF,1 MM
222 FF,57 MM
fJ
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Table 3.Recoveries and resightings of collared moose,Kenai Peninsula,
through June 1973.
Tagging Site
Mystery Creek
Bottenintnin Lake
Moose Research Center
MOose River Flats
Tustumena Bench1and (1971-72)
Tustumena Benchland-Lower Funny
River Airstrip Area
Big Indian Creek
Not properly identified*
Total
Number of Recoveries
and S igb tings
152
152
95
330
4
64
15
171
983
*Includes individuals that had lost part of their identifying marks,
reports of moose with impossible markings and other irregularities.
-9-
Table 4.Resightings of individually identifiable moose through June 30,1973.
Number of Times Relocated Number of Identifiable
Original Tagging Site 1 2 3 4 5 6 Individuals in Group
Moose River Flats 1970 20 12 7 1 71
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 28.0 17.0 9.8 1.4 56.3%relocated
No.of Times At least once
Moose River Flats 1971 16 13 4 2 2 3 61
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 26.2 21.3 6.6 3.3 3.3 4.9 65.6%relocated
No.of Times At least once
Upper Bear Cr.1971 1 4
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 25.0 25%relocated
No.of Times At least once
Moose Research Center 26 6 1 1 53
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 49.1 11.3 1.9 1.9 64.2%relocated
No.of Times At least once
Upper Benchland 7 6 5 27
%Ident.Indivi.Relocated 25.9 22.2 18.5 66.7%relocated
'No.of Times At least once
Lower Funny River Strip 11 5 7 1 33
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 33.3 15.2 21.2 3.0 72.7%relocated
No.of Times At least once
Big Indian Cr.5 1 1 12
%Ident.Indiv.Relocated 41.7 8.3 8.3 58.3%relocated
No.of Times At least once
1--;r----,
L _..~.J i [Il ~...'.,,J 'el-.---J [TI L_._U L.j EJJ o=J L_J [-J r-J ~~
_0
Big Indian Creek Population
Sightings of Big Indian Creek moose plotted on a map (Fig.4)show
that at least six marked individuals (both males and females)wintered above
timberline in the general tagging vicinity.One female was observed
wintering in the MRC vicinity.This cow remained in the area throughout
February.She was sighted in May near Scenic Lake on the Moose River
Flats.The relatively high percentage of individuals from this group that
wintered above timberline in their rutting drainage differs from the
wintering behavior previously described for the Mystery Creek population
(LeResche and Davis,1971).Winter severity could account for differences
in movements and distribution between years.Quantitative weather data
are not available for the areas,but the 1972-1973 winter appeared to be less
severe than the preceding two in this area.Because tagged individuals
were observed wintering above timberline during November-March but none
could be located during flights in April and May,we assume that they
moved to lower elevations where cover concealed them.This inferred movement
pattern,coupled with observations in the past of bulls from Mystery Creek
remaining high well into winter but showing up on the Moose River Flats in
spring,lends credence to the idea that moose move down in late winter or
early spring to lowland areas because of advanced plant phenology in lowland
areas.This may in part explain why bulls occupy or concentrate in "calving
areas".No cows from this group have been sighted with calves so calving
areas remain unknown.
Lower Funny River Air Strip-Tustumena Benchland Populations
It appears likely that the group tagged near the Lower Funny River
Airstrip and the group tagged above timberline in the Tustumena Benchland
have different patterns of seasonal distribution.Both were rutting
groups of high density separated by as little as 2-1/2 miles of timber
at the time of tagging.There were no significant physical barriers
separating the groups.The Lower Funny River group was tagged below
timber line (Fig.5)and 84 percent (27/32)of all resightings (December
1972-June 1973)occurred below timberline.Both males and females (5 males
and 5 females)from the group moved north toward the Kenai River to
elevations below 600 feet for wintering.Some moved as far as Robinson
Loop Road (Sterling Area).However,5 females and 4 males were observed
wintering near the tagging area.One cow was observed with a calf only
several days old near mile 76 of the Sterling Highway.No other females
from the group were observed with calves.The only other female from the
group sighted during Mayor June was observed in June above timberline near
the head of Bear Creek (elevation 2,600')without a calf thus confounding
delineation of a single calving-spring use area for the group.
In contrast to the Lower Funny River Airstrip group,80 percent
(24/30)of all resightings of the Tustumena Benchland group occurred above
timberline (Fig.6).Observations of only two cows and two bulls from this
group were made in the area north toward the Kenai River from the tagging
site and below 600 feet elevation.However,greater numbers of both males
and females (10 males and 4 females)were observed throughout the winter in
the original tagging area at elevations up to 3,000 feet.Determining
proportions of the population exhibiting the localized versus migration
to winter range tendencies is confounded by not having resighted most
individuals.The probability of a resighting in the lowland area is much
lower than in the alpine tagging area because of vegetational cover and
the vastness of lowland area to reconnoiter.Nevertheless,52 percent
-11-
.5fJj)7'~lJl~.:J~;oj.Fi gure 4.Res i ghti ngs by month of i ndi vi dua lly i denti fi ab 1e,.//1~~·¥r~~:~~.;~,..,'~=.-...'·"'.J~h~..·A.~~.\\I\,\.,~~~~~-.j 1'--'~,moose tagged at Bi q Indian Creek -Octoher 197?-.(~~~~_.__----:,:.:,,<~~>':.~'-~~'~'\(l~.-:i P::.,c~:1:'::Tw.,":.'~~~....,.__.'/"-'~'~:';.;J''\-::--'.'-"'''''''~'./'."i'..'~~~::4~,·'f~:,\~'<'>::~;'..~t'''',~~.~:so';;::..:4-....J::,~.,.-,~'''....J
O
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.t,•"I'"r'~"\I'l'~.''")I..u 'o..C,-;-"•~•j,AUte t'.:J ).I ~..,......\ ,~"\...'.:"h,..._~•,__~~"I,'.....',.j..:J~jffeiuJad~".;'S~,.'v''L!,'.,oi',"':s~~t '~E·..w"ndtr WildenwN -.,-,~:'""'~-/c!.i,:'-~;~,\~"\":·'~':~·':·,~~'\;~·'-:·;;0~::-;/.'·:·~l..!::...--.:....:-__,..--.i.....LaM':''''--\'-J.t1JIi!l\i;,~/,"'~."-La/ee i'W-.~_L :..---:J._...!r-<;~':-~'---,..'~•.i:'I''.~"~_\'\;,-,'.',>'....:.:.""---':.':"~I i
N ,./i.1 ',.,-,:..",.:"c".;,.""1--''k..>-lA.Mpera .~ILak~.('J'.·w }C4ln..I'"~"'~-./-.,.'I'~:;i.,1."<.'.,:I...~:,.~.:.•.~.,:.....~~.i.!:''.".I,,>.~---.::''''"."~~.~',!Alee Lost .'u.retl215 't .."1It~/ ,.,0':-"/715 ;:1''1-\,~, ""'1'..~')~'./,j;:,,-~:"f4'''':;~~'''''""t ...'"-,jLo/«i,~~.;,~<~.....~It ,~~~e:','t @ ,':',l~~'~f'~:-"h:<.,-''1,~.;Krei"",!'.r'L.,.ke>_._/'.~~,J _.360,.•~"i J.l,~.~.i~lcop~·:':..I'_;<-/.~J \\~~~__~jC..;~1-.,..,:.,.j..~-':-':'-(Ot"'~>~~i.,....::,:.r I,(-Lakt .-.'".Su"""",.'.".'':"."\L;;.'......./":''J:":.!L..'•..,.J'-....~.'.,~'~'~~\.,--'.K'"\'.,;.''c "\1"~'.",'.,,I ~-=.',,~.LaIu{-,'',i);,;·"...-'L7 EmbryoL"'::!"'.';'....'(,'---'"I,;"-;:'~;%'_'.-::'t ",-.'..>'Kt.~.~"-"(~\,Grv.)'~.~'..'!:.--:~},'Kn'r'''''I\,_<:/uln",,1 "._.S-shoe •,"'1"'::JLal«f~',____:.,,'-Fc~,---~:if ,,~,~,.'~<...,'\:',..~,,<~~
't,~Q,r{"f'e"'Lakec '..1AfrJi .':UTIl1l8/1 •_..We ~,~;5 'c.~'~.~"\'I .l'"."~'....~«1~"~)qUjU'~"'\l..-/ji >.'~Chick)'!"ii'ddfe .':La~·I',.A't.ler..'').".!.,---~.S""";),Trapper Joe:J /ns ?','\I~!\':ci,,~~12..'"'.'"--:JIo1li_.te>'t'-.c f J'•.~.~~"nd,ng JI.tiU .0-"Lake,'"--Lake ''''.,>:1;'."""'t'll:'-'Lak~'2'5 I4ke -r?\'"'-~I".'.',~Y~+"'.\~..,~#'-::')'-.,,'.;-".-;"j -K<l.1/oJ/,~,'.:;~;""l!-,'0-;;JJ ..t«.~...,':·'~rf '',;',l~82~hfp"':',\\..,\.-..,.•'".,,<'::"'3p:.~,··:-ro\',(:."3.?'\
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.r""','l\>I:r:1<t Teal lAke "'Mvikmt '10 '~~..\...."'""§\'.~,gr./;,>,,lk __\.'..','I'-Wie i'l!'~\~~--<'.,"':7~~\,","j "'-Creek ~.-'+.'.-'-"__--L .•'\La~~~.'..,,,:,I {'~(\--~-2 ,~/~:)'"....-:",.);...'.t '7 "-_.
c,;;"'""/"'IG.oncluzue t-"Area~'t.·o,''.),r I''.;/ct "0 ::->j :·;-;;'·""'.·.'~0;"'.1 "\'.~'::-":C.,s ,',·-"~l.·'~,Lq.Iee ,>,'(""__i\~~'t;~,;:;<J~-,~'~.'~:r ",:'.,"---->;;A":-':'\o,::'.:.';:b~;_...~'..l:k'"1'"-'~-I -"'<-, ,J -J)'.'~,','.""r'''''ll-.S!."",'~U',..:..,.
-:..~/S ~:/IF(""-,~._:.,'~<I'.,:i~<\;;;~_,j ':'/:~;;>:.,,~.~;i~,,',,~~i~::<~)~:~,'~~_"<,~:_.,~..-.',~.."Cabm ,~'l--.'.,J,r,..'1.',I,'.'.,.\."....~'-...'Z.'<.r.":..~\,I '.\.~.~'")')1Rl".......././1'-"'...._La I (·,A..;·..·l·,".:'\",j',<'-"~.,..3(I5'~,.,"::".d>.t,_•...c·__•...;-"'rj'f'."._.;t .c'll._-'_"_.',-;.Rock;'"...-,un ke ',-'Cab'n\--.,;J.k<tr La/ee '.?ol '.':>-,'.,'''-:':'""'\""'--"';,5 ....-t'.,'.'i '"'r (')__,:;,".~"a:t!::~~i :~;'.;~:_,n~:>_--~.=-~;':~I'7~-i :,::~~'~~;~:~~:<-~;:;:,~~2""""f~J~,:;,'~.'~,~lit.,----:..,.A .--",L ·/,,1 :",'"Y'--',1 '--.'1'''-'(,-',-OJ'J~,~],."v 'ttl \'39::'>~-~~:;'.c_--._~,-"'"\_~
cJ ')'j-:',_.",,~9t'~'.-,,'~"""l'""\..'.',...,v -'~'i!Oi!'"'~i ".''')."\~~..,J1trteaU ''-.'.'-'.:oco,·,.;""&c~-"&i-r -.'',-'N -,'4'-1.0 ~*L ~:(&c~'~r";V"':-~f-?'~;''':;;;~I_~
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-'!/'~,,.'/"-f ',.J'I,..',;',.,\,-,'.I '';'t":0 .'"'4!'e~'''--,;,i :,-~~'(,"\..jl''~.'.-"1 ·,ill.'-'-:;:'t "~\.;-:<"'v'···c')'_/l.~l~~i··'p!.~..:,.···~':'t:,··":,,,'.1 ./--'"'_....--0:".~,_l--::;Go.,,!tA .:1,\\,7/'\,/,·~I F.-.:.,~,,,y -0...4 'J.''~."•Brow..La/ee '\./-j!.~cab"\..~I .,"'."'.J~~.:....-.'.':'~";J",'.'.'..".,";,A _i ':,;.J";;(".Cam ·t.:i·.,,~...t..(>-.'j;...--.;;......:',",_______=__'_j,,\~,:;.~-'--'-._."'--'---"--"'~'-'''--~'~:-1:--\-''--7''-~........''-:~'It...-(.)i i jf,'Cl .:'~..__.'..:'~if·.I ,)r .,......'-1'",.."....' ...."-~••,...,...,.,.'Dilce.'---"Or j't l)u .~.:.~.fi FS ,...!~..:'--),!pP!r ':11~..?'.,.",.:~-:...l~='.l St~~r ~'6 ....t _-.....~-':'.':'~'"\oIGDIIl ...,;'):_;.>"'!/':-rJm~I':''..I r -,'C}.~,J ,3'4v,;.",!//;,-.:J-~""",,,,!L-Ifi·;i..,;1;""'·''.."~aptoWM I~cb:~'cl>:...~=fema l e by month r:L\.;:;'-''i'!,<",.'g ,:.;l,J;!!!;','"t C'''':~:+':"-'-.lr:\;-;#J,;'~+1 1 1 by th .,/,;.2":.:''\'~'..,,-..~.':'~~.,.0 7"~~-',i','~Lad ,'.',...-rna e mon !'~\~""'-i~~t ~/,'-:::".'lo...... .','/'.
•~~{/::~==.t',~:ng i &>tteni"L..i~Example:...=male observed in Dec.\J'~:.';~~il .....~_..;f!!".vr.B~::·:,·"'':i''BM,l'>M~rf I L.r~(.~~~.r-:""'~"'~=;;~I '..,.r"",NON','J\\~('~'~".:~~~~"~:"..~~~Vr:,'i?;l~
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Rou"d L
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Resightings by month of individually
identifiable moose tagged at Lower Funny
River Airstrip vicinity -October 1972.
E
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v J
f'':. I"~;'?.t I
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I
r
.,
t;/.r.
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.':'::~'::.=~'~~~~~J '-owm ~~~'~..'.+~_..:1.--""=_~~~~__~_,'l'L_~___--;-;-_.-;
~~-:';;;L?~_;::(0~;t 1Ak~'.~.)6;,
.,::.-.'.1 \.N \:'~'"",,~,';','¥:,,~r..··'.."l ~~'-.;U~~','.\-_.
.P ;.I~.'.-,' • " \tl'----"'~.'.,.
(g-../""':?"I,r.'""l ,no ~----...',OIC"C~.'Cl~_.'~i'~'.-"-'~V.c'.II!'1,2,1,~=female by month\(".'.'\--.'en,~Q)=male by month~/eoo -eo.C'?1~'3~',_'"'.~\~O I Example:2 -male observed in Dec.,-.,-~4/",-,~.:""~""",,,,."':'..~,.".~..,..
/o,,,:?,~~,,,-1)£_,.'.'".".HP"~.,-J..,.,.",,\.11 F·,_.·'..'."I."Arrl".~~.----p -<:.--'>4 -.'::.',--..,\'::•••::-;\'..;...."-~'j~:.__,;l.r-:-/~-:.::~~,.'.'".'.~..':-..'. -'1f-'-"----.----..---];,,/(1'
-:..i.J ..--.,",'r.,.~.'.I .,':,.\~.n \""i'C:"'"~'.'.Co"~C>tlm./':",__.'.'.'.'!lat,.
'\,.;.,-;"F L~.l~l!'!",.,,.........'""""'i"."-'~~__'.....•,.,..-c"O'a __,~~"''')¥,:........".j ,..~~~F'>\;-"~\('"'.",..\\\.'I :'_~""".~"\!~""""'.."~~.1 ?;ze~J..~<tY(-~.";....--\,0 .)),.:,'';,'\'~':m «..\\....._,'.::,i~'~\'-':',~':.~'t7.~,-:,c-~~'.--~....:::'"S ~~"".\\.~...~\\:~:\.'"OO 1''-.~''k :,~~'.',-<,,.~(c'"'.~e?-
'if ~,h !"c '":I %"\\0 I"\.,~:,e,I'"~~.}i·~···r,O"'\..._~~....,r-.'1"........._.'./\..~:0'::\....":"','_~r-§_,_..;t .lil'''''':;:-1..
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:,.,,:GrWJ,'10'
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::..'~"'"I~'......._./
md :J i/--)----
-\:.
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-.:.>:._)0°'"----.;t -
•\.:&~,,)Do:>"~'."
1·"."-".'""",\;......·o ..:v",.,,'~~c,-eo?·\a .....~........!j'."':'\
H_y..-....-;:,.-."S.terl~rlS -~-stERLI G ~.'-..,,--,"•.,.~4 __.__,HISHw.
....•.J.~\.II •~J.~tteninl";:eS ')pg,oun~<."f'""---.,'.'
("i'"-.:~.,'.~.L5~~("'")...~.')'.
('u '.'"._~(Cabin'_/'!I."'\--.'_...0 .C.
'-K 'r-!-,(J.-'::'~'"""'"
(".:r I~o ~......~(~~l[:~~~I'(lr~6~\'---"".~~"\:Qr.LClk.,,,-'"
lI"f'~'.--.-=-s -.E '~,~-.!">~:.S:."'~.....i)"-'.d.?~,~~..-)~"bn .14'0 .,if .,.~c f
\0 f ~\"'\Ka -t~·(;I i
)'"-"'1 ')\'-':-'t-a Olroio L
.\:;;.'~r \'""'c'~, .,,'\'"Fryonll Pan
-;:..•Q _.,S ~'\.l\",~ISland~<S'4"/~\r ~~rlbou ~4
<I)"-l,'.,-(andsP.""'..4"~."\"E'~ll.).,~"'-,~,\'---:;-\.'~:~~"~
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continued.Resightings by month of individually
identifiable moose tagged at Lower Funny River
Airstrip vicinity -October 1972 •
";"'c,
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cn
,_.
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Fi gure 5.
c-J'
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.Sa"mo..aoc"
r----'l._.~j
u,.)
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East Foreland ..
~·'f'"¢J
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591'
LAKE
,-
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Lair,
UIU ~~.,j:a;TipgroUfU!_::~.__•..'~.lI '.J''G',~-,~,./"r'c
.<T·.Jt~+~.".·.~.'~~J ';-;;i'~-":""'---r,.'",.....:;;;~I-,,'.'-i:'"~.'.~•,..,f
./,::---/\,:~~QJ~"-.~..•-\.'lC''!'.I!Sr",~)~(j ,~,~.~us!>
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...",?'Bear.',Mtrt
[)o.....hil\13"~(
Lucas ~
Island ..\tvqdy '.
-_.0-.--';"·2;~".,~;;';'~--.~.,.l;:..h.-\.",,~.'O~,-~~~~_..-,i l."'--,".•.;/-,~L
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Islands
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c (''~'::-:~---r"'"\:.....~.I
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6
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U Ii ~r .-,....""......"3 .,..~,....''"\'-;:-':~__..3 ~",~.','1'.>8JL~I"'Y .
------...':':...,-'2<':~--:'~~~..'\\. ..•--\-
,~,,,:C ,rj~K'I1_··woi~~;.~ee/iii\12.,-'I--Lake ..~~9 '.
~t .J ~:\Jb elY].';-
LaIce -'':-,:I ..,.2 .~M(~¥;,G,'(D'~3'1
,'-.''\--.f'i @2 .'J"!:--..•
'Cab"\.i '2
"",1i\1f\'1':1>'c<~~1.'!J /-C''I"--~:''-'~-~';.-
..•:--,~),.q ''''''7-<-.....,.
•Cab'ns ,'~..',."-.".•~",.
.I ~":-\'/,io",,>~.._'"'"'_~.
..-t ..
~
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..;~.
Q)
<-"Y+
~
Resightings by month of individually
identifiable moose tagged in the Tustumena
Ben ch 1and -October 1971.
-·...Cab;n-•
~,
~.~,
~
'::l ....'s-
.~,
:iI:~1!>
·Cabin·
~--j
-'Fo;---
fA"r f.
';»0
Q>.;»
0+
-<!'-<'J,>
--?
Caribou Island
+
Bay
Lake ;
'i'lI'taHk Cr I
C;,'ff>.~.".J
.;';..
Nikolai
Bay
.Cabirr-
Tra;l
.Lake
CaD'"
,'lilrolD.i.La~
.'._:"
,".:_'
Berg
'.Lake
;Q:.
r'
.~.
I .Q~
,~.
',',,,."i -'.j".I'P-.1 ...~Cr I -~.f:'I ~
<!'e Kolomin I:>I '{...
-'--~-~..-.--'.-"-~T-··_···.-",,-.O~-r-;;;-L .~1r4."j>:IC:':~~~.'b'!',<-"\'--...',..:..;;,"!j,..f'
---..:?t·K<,':",c\'.'~,'.
-'.l'-",..f •.'<""-..."~'"
,0&:'*'--."'0."----\"',-?7'-'-'-:'~_.-..."1 \\u-~",~0
.",~\~.t.:...'1,2,3,~=female by month
"\(I),~®1 =ma1ebymonth
,e'•ch~'\--izr,P4\-.~.Example:1 =male observed in Dec.';--;x"~0r'''('=''*';/r'1",~"\A.
o _....IJ.,'..I.lO "-nMl,_.',696 An-f".-~-._-~,~-' -~---.---~",_.1...._~.._.'.'_.'--....-Ir
."....;.I , ,~Laker'.,. . ,7'i't'tAl r'.'/?J'''~-j q,~I<VI..~..'.0..!.,•'-'0 '",-",,-8ti't ....l -:--!'-"l<>+.J..=" \I .._,'1 \~."teb_'".:;.,\I'"'55 .'"..~.......,\"'-~/'--.r \,")\", \.,.8 K ,C.l,.'I-"~1:':-<~...'-".',:-'\"\;"0:..'1;''..·<\'~-..."f'~~;..~f?,!!Z~-,.i-.~{_·,_':...._f~~.,°1 'J"''';~\l)~)."0"-0
.J~".,<e:
'.~
~'
I·
-~'._.
-:::>....'
o ~%.'..&rd.er....We
".,.1
~,''---'--"""n~-:-;--~':'-~""'~~~-:Ld-;";B¥'~'~'l'I At.a
#'_n "-,~~·'1 r;e Hmdquorter'~;a.•G~WeIl5 );~JAke ~Fl gure 6.
/:.~."=..
!.I '
_/~:."';.,Jrr Slikok \..-.~.'Lake..'Jit'ol'lsky .~~~;.,~..r'j ~
.11 ",.>
:j)\:.,!:0---~...~:~~=---t-J -_.........._~!ii).
.~-.i!OJ Coal Creek :,.~~
Lake ,'"?~<
K~~!
.".11 I'd.If-
•-K .r·.!.;.~1I_,.'
'~"~"!:a~.:
-$..-.::'".-1 _.ffiwen
~-TLah
~,-,}jongkongBend.-i'Star.->al"""'/....Lah
Rapids·
c:'
East Forelanj
~
0:.:t
~r,.----,------,~r----,~~
i
:'
<l
~'1-:-
0'
,----.
,~
,
';~.\,\,'-\
t"..•'
J :.
r------.~
I
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0.:.
,~L ,U.-:---;,I,Le.:,.__._:j
continued.Resightings by month of individually
identi fiab 1e moose tagged i.n the Tustumena
Benchland -October 1971.
t.jJ
Sli/",k
La,/,,'
'c
,,~J'J
Figure 6.
Clr--JL!..~;
.~._-~
.u.
'''.'t1.l,j~Vvtll"Jl .;;~•.'.i:.~"o/'0 •.I..-.
<~k .
;'..-.:.1Y
iKklifonskv .~~._..._.{.F·;.J
•...;jl'1 ..'IV"~',:.~)"t !
Bvul~el " '..
POInt '.~
~7~
l<,,,,.~:'~i'/
Sa:mQ.R.J.·~
C"l
o
(j
-<::
r~i
I
f-'
(j\
I
~.
'\.:
~~~:c
(14/27)of the animals tagged in the benchland were located
wintering near the tagging area.This suggests that a substantial portion
of this population winters in its rutting area.Past observations by Alaska
Department of Fish and Game personnel and U.S.Bureau of Sports Fisheries
and Wildlife personnel (Bob Richey,viva voce)support the resident wintering
idea.Browse form class in much of the area suggests extensive winter use
in past years.Reconnaissance flights conducted from December,1972 to
April,1973 revealed that most moose move into heavily timbered areas
below 1800 feet elevation after snowstorms,but if winds occur and high
areas are blown bare,within a day or two the animals will immediately
move back to elevations up to 3,000 feet.Similar observations were made
during flights conducted in late winter 1971.As was discussed with the
Big Indian Creek population,May flights failed to locate animals in
alpine areas where they were observed in all previous months (December-
April),suggesting they were at lower elevations.In addition most sightings
of bulls during late April and May were made at lower elevations than
December-March sightings.Movements of three bulls that wintered above
timberline,but moved lower in May,further substantiate this.All these
observations indicate that to winter as high as possible then move lower
in early spring may be a common pattern for many highland moose populations.
Calving areas for the benchland group were not determined,as no Mayor
June observations of females were made.
RECOMMENDATIONS
-Reconnaissance flights throughout Subunits l5A and l5B should be
continued on a once per week minimum basis to derive maximum information
from tagged animals.Monthly flights should be conducted in Subunit l5C
to look for possible tagged animals from l5B and to locate concentrations
of moose for tagging in l5C.
The tagging program should be expanded to Subunit l5C.The first
tagging effort should be in the Caribou Hills during September or October.
Accrued results of the tagging program should be considered in
formulation of forthcoming area management plans and other management
decisions.
LITERATURE CITED
Berg,W.G.1971.Habitat use,movements,and activity patterns of moose
in northwestern Minnesota.M.S.Thesis Univ.Minnesota
(unpubl.)98pp.
Edwards,R.Y.and R.W.Ritcey.1956.The migrations of a moose herd.
J.Mammal.37(1):486-494.
Goddard,J.1970.Movements of moose in a heavily hunted area of Ontario.
J.Wildl.Manage.34(2):439-445.
Houston,D.B.1968.The Shiras moose in Jackson Hole,Wyoming.Grand
Teton Nat.Hist.Assoc.and NatL Park Sev.,U.S.Dept.Inter.
Tech.Bull.1.110pp.
-17-
\
[,
VanBa11enberghe,V.and J.M.Peek.1971.Radiotelemetry studies of
moose in northeastern Minnesota.J.Wi1d1.Manage.35(1):63-71.
I--
IL,
,--
~
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[
[
[
[
n
L
[
[
C
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l
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;
Fed.Aid
APPROVED BY:
Cti-Drl z 1lt~_
Research Chief,Division of Game
Moose research report.
Vol.XII W-17-3.
and J.L.Davis.1971.
to Wi1d1.Rest.Proj.Seg.Rept.
Albert W.Franzmann
Game Biologists
and G.M.Lynch.1973.1973.A trap for free-ranging moose.
J.Wi1d1.Manage.37(1):87-89.
1973.Moose migrations in North America.Proc.Int.6ymp.
Moose Ecology.Quebec.(in press).
Nielson,A.E.and W.M.Shaw.No date.A helicopter-dart gun technique
for capturing moose.Idaho Dept.Fish and Game Pub1.Mimeogr.
183-199pp.(In Soldotna office ADF&G files)
LeResche,R.E.1972.Migrations and population mixing of moose on the
Kenai Peninsula (Alaska).8th N.Am.Moose Conf.Thunder
Bay,Ontario.185-207pp.
SUBMITTED BY:
Karl B.Schneider
Regional Research Coordinator
Knowlton,F.F.1960.Food habits,movements,and populations of moose
in the Gravelly Mountains,Montana.J.Wi1dl.Manage.
24:162-170.
PREP ARED BY:
ARLIS
Alaska Resources
Library &Informat1<m Service~
Purrchcrage.fJaska
-18-
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