Introduction of muskoxen in northern Quebec: the demographic explosion of a colonizing herbivore

Abstract

Between 1973 and 1978, 42 muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus), mostly immature, were released northwest of Kuujjuaq, along the south shore of Ungava Bay. Helicopter censuses, complemented by ground observations, were conducted over 725 km2 in 1983 and 1986: 148 and 290 animals were counted during the first and second surveys, respectively. The finite rate of increase of the population averaged 1.25 during the 3-year interval; that rate indicates high fecundity and low mortality, because the maximum finite rate of increase is 1.30 if all animals survive and if females first calve at 3 years of age and thereafter produce one calf each year. Ground observations confirmed a high productivity: calves constituted 26 and 23% of the population in 1983 and 1986, respectively; in terms of calves per 100 mature cows, the respective ratios were 97 and 86. Some animals dispersed up to 650 km from the area of release; populations may be establishing themselves in new locations. Muskoxen are now well established in the tundra of northern Quebec.

Calf Production, Calf Survival, and Recruitment of Muskoxen on Banks Island during a Period of Changing Population Density from 1986-99

“…The values for Banks Island are realistic, given the rate of population increase. Although high, our estimates of calf survival are similar to those reported for rapidly increasing populations elsewhere (Jingfors and Klein, 1982;Le Hénaff and Crête, 1989).…”

“…Historical declines have been attributed to overexploitation by humans and severe weather (Barr, 1991;Reynolds, 1998), but the data needed to address these factors critically are lacking. Most population studies of muskoxen have been limited to descriptions of either current status (Case et al, 1989;Smith, 1989;Yakushkin, 1989;Boertmann et al, 1992;Gunn, 1995) or changes in population numbers, providing little additional demographic data (Le Hénaff and Crête, 1989;Gunn et al, 1991;Olesen, 1993). Extended time series of population data for muskoxen are limited (Reynolds, 1998).…”

“…Re-established and introduced populations have increased in Quebec (Le Hénaff and Crête, 1989), Alaska (Reynolds, 1998), West Greenland (Olesen, 1993), and Russia (Yakushkin, 1989). Indigenous populations in Greenland (Boertmann et al, 1992) and in the Northwest Territories have also increased (Barr, 1991;Nagy et al, 1996).…”

Population structure and dynamics in captive muskoxen at the Large Animal Research Station, 1988-1994

“…Over the 7 year period, calf production per HP cow was 0.94. This was similar to estimates from expanding and reintroduced populations in the wild; Banks Island, 0.83 (Latour, 1987), West Greenland, 0.90-1.0 (Olesen, 1993), Nunivak Island, 0.80 (Smith, 1984) Northern Quebec, 0.86¬ 0.97 (Le Henaff & Crete, 1989) and Northeast Alaska, 0.89 (Jingfors & Klein, 1982). Calf production among the LP cows was 0.60, consistent with estimates from less productive populations; NE Gteenland, 0.39-0.57 (Thing et al, 1987) and 0.58-0.63 (Lassen, 1984).…”

The impact of founder events and introductions on genetic variation in the muskox Ovibos moschatus in Sweden

“…In the early twentieth century, several introductions of O. moschatus to both formerly inhabited and uninhabited areas were conducted (Spencer and Lensink 1970;Jingfors and Klein 1982;Uspenski 1984;Le Hénaff and Crête 1989;Lundh 1996;Lent 1999). Between 1962 and 1965, a total of 27 individuals were relocated from northeast Greenland to the previously uninhabited southwest side of Greenland, Angujaartorfiup Nunaa (Olesen 1993;Pedersen and Aastrup 2000).…”