Immigration does not offset harvest mortality in groups of a cooperatively breeding carnivore

Bassing, Sarah B.; Ausband, David E.; Mitchell, Michael S.; Schwartz, Michael K.; Nowak, J. Joshua; Hale, Greg; Waits, Lisette P.

doi:10.1111/acv.12593

Cited by 17 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…By contrast, Bassing et al . (2020) found that the proportion of immigrants within groups in a protected population was low and did not change when pack size and offspring recruitment declined after hunting and trapping began. In addition, they documented similarly low immigrant acceptance in a population hunted and trapped at a higher rate.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns and determinants of dispersal in grey wolves (Canis lupus)

et al. 2021

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Dispersal is a key demographic process involving three stages: emigration, transience and settlement; each of which is influenced by individual, social and environmental determinants. An integrated understanding of species dispersal is essential for demographic modelling and conservation planning. Here, we review the dispersal patterns and determinants documented in the scientific literature for the grey wolf (Canis lupus) across its distribution range. We showed a surprisingly high variability within and among study areas on all dispersal parameters – dispersal rate, direction, distance, duration and success. We found that such large variability is due to multiple individual, social and environmental determinants, but also due to previously overlooked methodological research issues. We revealed a potential non‐linear relationship between dispersal rate and population density, with dispersal rate higher at both ends of the gradient of population density. We found that human‐caused mortality reduces distance, duration and success of dispersal events. Furthermore, dispersers avoid interaction with humans, and highly exposed areas like agricultural lands hamper population connectivity in many cases. We identified numerous methodological research problems that make it difficult to obtain robust estimates of dispersal parameters and robust inferences on dispersal patterns and their determinants. In particular, analyses where confounding factors were not accounted for led to substantial knowledge gaps on all aspects of dispersal in an otherwise much‐studied species. Our understanding of wolf biology and management would significantly benefit if wolf dispersal studies reported the results and possible factors affecting wolf dispersal more transparently.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patterns and determinants of dispersal in grey wolves (Canis lupus)

et al. 2021

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“…Harvest of the Rocky Mountain wolf population began in 2009. Although declines in group size and density have been documented (Ausband et al., 2017; Bassing et al., 2020), we do not know how such declines might affect the reproductive potential of this population, if at all. We estimated and compared several reproductive rates for individuals in both small and large groups using empirical data collected from radio‐collared wolves in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park (YNP), Wyoming, USA during a period of wolf recovery and recolonization (1996–2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 78%

The effect of group size on reproduction in cooperatively breeding gray wolves depends on density

Ausband

Mitchell

2021

Animal Conservation

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In cooperatively breeding species, large group size is often positively related to reproductive success and group persistence. We have a poor understanding, however, of how group sizes within a population affect reproduction particularly as density varies. We hypothesized that at low densities, wolves in both small and large groups would have similar reproductive rates. At high densities, however, wolves in small groups would have lower reproductive rates compared to those in large groups. Using empirical data from radio‐collared wolves in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA (1996–2012), we compared reproductive rates (i.e. proportion reproducing, litter size, pup survival) among small and large groups of wolves as density fluctuated within the populations. Reproductive rates were generally lower for individuals in small groups compared to those in large groups, particularly as density increased. Pup survival, however, was slightly higher for wolves in small groups compared to large groups except at very high densities. Polygamy increased with density regardless of group size, suggesting a polygamy threshold for wolves. Large group size resulted in less parturition failure, more breeding females per group, larger litter sizes, and ultimately more pups recruited per group. Large group size appears advantageous for several, but not all, aspects of reproduction particularly when population density is high.

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“…In North America, areas with open wolf hunting seasons had lower management removals but not lower illegal harvest, and did not result in a pronounced increase in total anthropogenic mortality. Different types of human‐caused mortality can impact not only wolf abundance, but also social patterns, suggesting that conservation planning should consider the potential effects of harvest regulations beyond population sizes (Bassing et al, 2020; Rutledge et al, 2010). Moreover, although carnivores can adapt to humans, there is a strong need to understand and integrate their ecology and management in human‐modified landscapes (Carter & Linnell, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Different types of human-caused mortality can impact not only wolf abundance, but also social patterns, suggesting that conservation planning should consider the potential effects of harvest regulations beyond population sizes (Bassing et al, 2020;Rutledge et al, 2010).…”

Section: The Lack Of Clear Influence Of An Open Hunting Season In Totalmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying anthropogenic wolf mortality in relation to hunting regulations and landscape attributes across North America

Hill

Boone

Gantchoff

et al. 2022

Ecology and Evolution

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Understanding the types and magnitude of human-caused mortality is essential for maintaining viable large carnivore populations. We used a database of cause-specific mortality to examine how hunting regulations and landscape configurations influenced human-caused mortality of North American gray wolves (Canis lupus). Our dataset included 21 studies that monitored the fates of 3564 wolves and reported 1442 mortalities. Human-caused mortality accounted for 61% of mortality overall, with 23% due to illegal harvest, 16% due to legal harvest, and 12% the result of management removal. The overall proportion of anthropogenic wolf mortality was lowest in areas with an open hunting season compared to areas with a closed hunting season or mixed hunting regulations, suggesting that harvest mortality was neither fully additive nor compensatory. Proportion of mortality from management removal was reduced in areas with an open hunting season, suggesting that legal harvest may reduce human-wolf conflicts or alternatively that areas with legal harvest have less potential for management removals (e.g., less livestock depredation). Proportion of natural habitat was negatively correlated with the proportion of anthropogenic and illegal harvest mortality. Additionally, the proportion of mortality due to illegal harvest increased with greater natural habitat fragmentation. The observed association between large patches of natural habitat and reductions in several sources of anthropogenic wolf mortality reiterate the importance of habitat preservation to maintain wolf populations. Furthermore, effective management of wolf populations via implementation of harvest may reduce conflict with humans. Effective wolf conservation will depend on holistic strategies that integrate ecological and socioeconomic factors to facilitate their long-term coexistence with humans.

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Immigration does not offset harvest mortality in groups of a cooperatively breeding carnivore

Cited by 17 publications

References 70 publications

Patterns and determinants of dispersal in grey wolves (Canis lupus)

Patterns and determinants of dispersal in grey wolves (Canis lupus)

The effect of group size on reproduction in cooperatively breeding gray wolves depends on density

Quantifying anthropogenic wolf mortality in relation to hunting regulations and landscape attributes across North America

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