No abstract available

[en] Published in summary form only

[en] Woodland caribou in northeastern Alberta are relatively sedentary, exist at low densities and are not considered threatened. Increased petroleum exploration and development in this area may contribute to population decline by increasing energy expenditure by caribou during winter. The effects of petroleum exploration on woodland caribou behaviour were explored and potential energy expenditure resulting from disturbance was modelled. Biweekly aerial locations of 47 caribou fitted with telemetry collars provided data on movements and habitat use. These data were combined with digital peatland coverages, and it was shown that caribou prefer forested fen peatland complexes and concentrate feeding in forested bog islands. Woodland caribou distribution polygons were delineated by grouping the preferred habitat types into discrete polygons separated by a relatively intact matrix of upland habitats; these represent 36% of the study area. The effects of simulated petroleum exploration were measured using a before-after-control-impact design. Impact animals moved an average of 2.11 km further than controls during, and one hour following disturbance, and demonstrated significantly greater movement rates than controls two days following disturbance, translating into a 16-39% increase in daily energy expenditure. Modelling found that on 9 occasions, perturbation encounter rates exceeded 0.0375 encounters/km²/winter, enough to cause above average weight loss. On one occasion, the rate exceeded 0.128 encounters/km²/winter, enough to cause >20% winter weight loss and possible reduction in female reproductive success. Eight land use recommendations are presented. 259 refs., 23 figs., 15 tabs

[en] Radiographic examination of the metacarpus and metatarsus from 333 fallow deer revealed a high incidence of animals with an angular deviation of at least one epiphysis. The incidence in males (59 per cent) was significantly higher than that in females (21 per cent). The cloven hoof is bent laterally and a deviation of up to 23 degrees was recorded. A deer with one deformed foot is equally likely to have 2, 3 or 4 deformed feet and no bone is more susceptible than others. Fusion of the epiphyses commenced at about 16 months and was complete by about 32 months, and the angular deformity occurred before this age. The incidence increases with increasing age in deer whose epiphyses have not yet fused. Other radiographic changes noted were growth plate deformities in young deer of 8 to 12 months of age and bowing of the shaft of the cannon bone in some older animals. It is suggested that the following sequence of events could involve all 3 defects and provide an explanation for the gross angular deviation of the foot seen in some deer. First, a defect in the process of calcification as a result of a nutritional deficiency causes hypertrophy of the cartilage of the growth plate, with local epiphyseal damage. Second, a compression or a breakdown of the cartilage of the cannon bone, particularly if on one side only, causes angular deviation of the epiphysis. Subsequent ossification leads to fusion of the diaphysis with the epiphysis at an abnormal angle. Third, the defect in calcification of the diaphysis leads to a weakness in the bone which, if stressed, becomes deformed and, after subsequent ossification, is seen as a bowing of the cannon bone

[en] After the Chernobyl accident, reindeer pastures in Fennoscandia were contaminated with radioactive material (mainly ¹³⁷Cs). There were large geographical variations in contamination of reindeer and in apparent transfer of ¹³⁷Cs from ground and vegetation to reindeer. There could be several reasons for the observed differences between areas. This work aims at collecting basic data on ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in soil, vegetation and reindeer and constructing a model to describe the transfer of radiocaesium to reindeer over time. Field data on ¹³⁷Cs in soil and vegetation has been collected during two years from one reindeer herding district (Jiingevaerie) in central Sweden. Data on ¹³⁷Cs in reindeer is available from the same area from 1986 to 1998. The collected data, and data from earlier investigations, has been put in a simple dynamic model, taking into account ground deposition, initial transfer of ¹³⁷Cs from fallout to different types of vegetation and long term change of ¹³⁷Cs in vegetation as well as food intake, diet composition, absorption and biological half-time of ¹³⁷Cs in reindeer. The ground contamination of ¹³⁷Cs was 9 441 Bq/m², at average, within reindeer pastures used during the summer period and 22 629 Bq/m² within the areas used in wintertime. The relation between ground contamination and vegetation differed very much between sampling sites but were generally higher for lichens (however, not statistically significant) and fungi (significant). The relation between ground contamination and reindeer (T_ag) counted back to 1986 with the observed effective ecological half-time (t_ef = 3. 6 years), was 0. 14 m²/kg for the season August-September and 0. 69 and 0. 66 m²/kg for the seasons October-December and January-April, respectively. Three simulations of ¹³⁷Cs in reindeer over 12 years were made with the constructed model and simulated values were compared to observed activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs in reindeer from 1986 to 1998. The simulated curves followed the same pattern as observed values but were slightly high for the summer period. Two simulations (a and c) gave low values for the winter period, while one simulation (b) did not differ significantly from values observed during the winter period. More data need to be collected, especially on relation between ground contamination and contamination of vegetation and long term change of ¹³⁷Cs in vegetation, to get better input data for the model. The variation in diet, and factors that govern changes in diet, also need to be more thoroughly investigated

[en] At a roedeer population from a prealpine forest are (1600 km²) periodic contamination maxima in autumn, a slow overall decrease with an effective ecological half-time of 2,6 +/- 0,4 years and a regional pattern with characteristic small-scale variations representing the transfer of Cs radionuclides from the soil to the animals are observed. The depth distribution of Cs radionuclides in the layered forest soil is peaked in the uppermost humic layer and it is inferred that binding to organic substances plays an important role in the fixation of theses radionuclides. This is corroborated by observations in a highmoor, where the shape of the depth distribution and the transfer to plants turned out to be rather similar to those of forest soils and at fertilized forest areas; where the transfer factor was significantly reduced. (author)

[en] Measurements on deep-frozen reindeer meat have been made since 1961. Samples were requested twice a year from 13 regions. The time variation of the average concentration together with the highest and lowest measured values are presented in a table. During the period investigated, the values obtained for the autumn slaughters prior that of 1968 have been significantly lower then the values obtained for the winter slaughters. Since then the seasonal variation has been less pronounced. (author)

[en] In this study, the mineral composition of a pate made with red deer meat (maral meat), beans and a protein enriching additive was determined. To do so, three formulations of the pate (with different meat, additive and bean ratios) were produced. For each formulation, the content of mineral elements was then determined using inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS). Increased level of minerals, such as K, P, Na, Ca and Mg were obtained in formulations where the additive and the beans were added. The addition of beans significantly increased Ca and P content. The mineral content of the overall better balanced formulation of the maral meat pate was compared to that of other pates. (author)

[en] The authors examined spring and summer use of browse by white-tailed deer in forest gaps created by group selection timber harvest at the SRS. Total percentage browse was low in both years, averaging 2.5% of the available browse. Six species were rated high use, 4 species as proportional use and 10 species as low use. Ratings were in agreement to others in the Southeast. Preferred species were maple, winged elm, greenbriar and black willow. Deer browse had very little impact on regeneration of most species

[en] Myanmar is strengthening its institutional capability in the field of wild animal biology and ecology to implement its wildlife conservation strategy effectively