Large carnivores can be found in different scenarios of cohabitation with humans. Behavioral adaptations to minimize risk from humans are expected to be exacerbated where large carnivores are most vulnerable, such as at breeding sites. Using wolves as a model species, along with data from 26 study areas across the species´ worldwide range, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the role of humans in breeding site selection by a large carnivore. Some of the patterns previously observed at the local scale become extrapolatable to the entire species range provided that important sources of variation are taken into account. Generally, wolves minimised the risk of exposure at breeding sites by avoiding human-made structures, selecting shelter from vegetation and avoiding agricultural lands. Our results suggest a scaled hierarchical habitat selection process across selection orders by which wolves compensate higher exposure risk to humans within their territories via a stronger selection at breeding 3 sites. Dissimilar patterns between continents suggest that adaptations to cope with human-associated risks are modulated by the history of coexistence and persecution. Although many large carnivores persisting in human-dominated landscapes do not require large-scale habitat preservation, habitat selection at levels below occupancy and territory should be regarded in management and conservation strategies aiming to preserve these species in such contexts. In this case, we recommend providing shelter from human interference at least in small portions of land in order to fulfill the requirements of the species to locate their breeding sites.

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The severity of recent declines of barren‐ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) across the central Canadian Arctic has led to harvest restrictions and concerns about population recovery. Wolves (Canis lupus) are the main predator of barren‐ground caribou; however, the extent that wolves influence the decline and recovery of caribou herds is unknown. Such uncertainty confounds management responses (e.g., reducing harvest, predator control). We investigated wolf–caribou dynamics on the summer range of barren‐ground caribou in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada (i.e., Bathurst caribou herd). Our primary objective was to test for a numerical response of wolves to changes in the abundance and spatial distribution of caribou. Caribou experienced a >90% decline in abundance over the study period (1996–2014). Using long‐term data sets (1996–2012), we developed regression models to investigate relationships between abundance indices of wolves and range‐use patterns of caribou. We monitored the movements of adult female wolves fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars representing individual packs throughout the 2013 and 2014 denning periods. We also investigated pup recruitment, an index of population decline, at a time of low caribou abundance. Finally, we developed a series of stochastic population models to understand how pup recruitment influenced wolf densities on the Bathurst range over the period of caribou decline. As caribou abundance decreased, the late‐summer distribution of the Bathurst herd contracted toward the calving ground. These movements correlated with low rates of wolf pup recruitment and high den abandonment, suggesting a regulatory mechanism whereby wolf reproductive success was limited by the low availability of caribou within the denning areas. Furthermore, these data suggested a numerical response, where wolf densities decreased as caribou numbers declined. In 2014, wolf density was estimated at <4 wolves/1,000 km2. Our results suggest that these wolves exhibited a relatively strong numerical response to a single, declining prey base. Given the continued decline in the Bathurst caribou herd, the tundra wolf population on the Bathurst range has likely declined below our 2014 estimate. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.

In response to declining moose numbers in central British Columbia (BC), the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations initiated a five-year (December 2013–March 2018) provincially coordinated, moose-research project. The primary research objective is to identify the causes and rates of cow moose mortality and examine factors that contributed to their increased vulnerability, with particular reference to the landscape-change hypothesis. Cow moose were instrumented with GPS (Global Positioning System) radio collars and monitored in five study areas that were selected based on their moose population trend and landscape conditions, particularly the degree of mountain pine beetle salvage logging and associated road building. Samples were collected during capture for health testing. Rapid-response, mortality-site investigations were the key technique to determining probable cause of death of the collared cows. As of April 19, 2016, 336 cow moose had been fitted with GPS collars. The majority of cow moose were in good body condition, had pregnancy rates within the normal range, and showed no indication of immediate disease or parasite concerns at the population level. During this study period, the status of radio-collared cow moose was: 243 active, 49 failed (i.e., either stopped collecting location data or slipped from moose), and 44 mortalities. Probable cause of death for the 44 mortalities was predation (20), hunting (9; licensed 1, unlicensed 8), apparent starvation (4), vehicle collision (1), natural (1), unknown natural (1), health-related (1), unknown health-related (4), and unknown (3). The combined annual survival rate of cow moose from all study areas was 92 ± 8% in 2013/14, 92 ± 5% in 2014/15 and 88 ± 4% in 2015/16 (to April 19, 2016) — all within the normal range for stable moose populations. Preliminary results determined predation was responsible for 45% of the collared moose mortalities. Health testing is pending on samples collected from these collared moose mortalities which may provide insight on body condition or pre-existing conditions that may have increased their vulnerability to predation.

In response to declining moose numbers in central British Columbia (BC), the BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations initiated a five-year (December 2013-March 2018) provincially coordinated, moose-research project. The primary research objective is to identify the causes and rates of cow moose mortality and examine factors that contributed to their increased vulnerability, with particular reference to the landscape-change hypothesis. Cow moose were instrumented with GPS (Global Positioning System) radio collars and monitored in five study areas that were selected based on their moose population trend and PeerJ Preprints | https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.1987v1 | CC-BY 4.0 Open Access |