Title
Wolverine, Gulo gulo, Home Range Size and Denning Habitat in Lowland Boreal Forest in Ontario
Author(s)
Dawson, N.F., Magoun, A.J., Bowman, J. and Ray, J.C. . 2010.
Published
2010
Publisher
Canadian Field Naturalist 124(2): 139-144.
Abstract
We conducted the first radio-telemetry study of Wolverines in northwestern Ontario during the winter of 2003-2004 to
determine whether home ranges and movements ofWolverines in lowland boreal forest were typical of this species in other
ecosystems and to describe reproductive den sites in this habitat type. Seven Wolverines (3 M, 4 F) were radio-tagged and
monitored for 31 to 269 (Mean ± SE = 153 ± 35) days using a combination of remotely monitored Argos satellite and conventional
aerial telemetry. Male and female 95% minimum convex polygon (MCP) home ranges (±SE) during December to
October were 2,563 (796) km2 and 428 (118) km2, respectively, for combined VHF and Argos locations. A lactating female
had a 95% MCP home range of 262 km2. The den site for this female included large boulders and downed trees, similar to
dens described for this species in montane ecosystems. Boulder complexes and downed trees may be critical features of
wolverine dens in lowland boreal forests. Mean road densities (± SE) within 95% MCP and 50% MCP home ranges were
0.43 (0.13) and 0.33 (0.23) km/km2, respectively, and our results suggest that road densities may affect selection of home
ranges by Wolverines. The Wolverine population was a resident, reproductive population.
Keywords
Wolverine; Gulo gulo; home range; road density; den; Ontario
Full Citation
Dawson, N.F., Magoun, A.J., Bowman, J. and Ray, J.C. 2010. Wolverine, Gulo gulo, Home Range Size and Denning Habitat in Lowland Boreal Forest in Ontario. Canadian Field Naturalist 124(2): 139-144.
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