Woodland caribou scientific review to identify critical habitat: chapter 24

Extent of Survey

Coverage

Manitoba

Data reported:

Year of census (except for Owl Flinstone) and extent of survey coverage were not reported. Trend data is based on local population estimates carried out in the 70's and 80's and in recent years (2007 for Owl Flinstone), that reported similar estimates.

LP map

#

Current Local

Population Trend

N/A

(not available)

LP map

#

N/A

(not available)

LP map

#

Local Population or

Unit of analysis

Year of

Census

Extent of Survey

Coverage

Local

Population

Size

Estimate

Current Local

Population Trend

Newfoundland and Labrador

Data reported: No Newfoundland local populations are included in the ‘threatened’ designation. The following local populations occur in Labrador, not Newfoundland and there fore the abbreviation “LAB” has been used at the beginning of the local population’s name. Lac Joseph - surveyed in 2000. Full Range (38 00 km2), using a mark-recapture method, Lincoln-peterson/joint hypergeometric maximum liklihood estimator. We have conducted late-winter classifications (March, best indicator of recruitment as calves are 9.5 months old) every year since 2000. Percent calves has ranged between 15 and 20% over that time period, and sex ratios of males/females indicate there are approximnately 50 adult males per 100 females (or about 33% males). Between 1999 and 2006 adult survival ranged between 0.788 to 0.913 with a mean value of .852 in this herd, and mean calf survival over the same period is 0.4. Collectively, these suggest that this herd is either stable or slightly declining. Calf recruitment is good, but adult female sruvival could be better.

Red Wine Mountain: The survey in 2001 covered the full range of this herd, or 29 900 km2. The estimator used was also a maximum liklihood estimator (markrecapture techique). The minimum count (number of unique animals observed) was 67, and revised to 87 in 2003 based on a partial sruvey of animals associated in groups with radio-collared females in 2003. Calf recruitment is similar to LJ, as is adult female survival. However, survival rates need to be adjusted to account for losses of adult animals due to illegal hunting.

Mealy Mountain: Survey in 2005 covered an area of 62 000 km2 (full range). Type was a density-distribution survey (after Gasaway 1986). Survey repeated methods/extent of 2002 census and estimates of population size do not differ significantly (statistically speaking), which suggests that teh population is stable. This herd declined sharply from 2600 to 284 between 1958 and 1975, and has recovered to numbers in excess of 2000 since 2002. Calf recruitment in 2005 was 16%, and adult female survival averaged 89% between 2002 and 2006. The current rate of grwoth in this herd appears to be 0. However, observed parturition, recruitment, and survivorship schedules suggest this herd has the potential to increase. It is possible that any gains in recruitment are being offset by enhanced mortality of adult (uncollared) animals.

LAB Red Wine

Mountain

Labrador (remainder of

boreal caribou in

Labrador )