Growth and dispersal of an erupting large herbivore population in northern Canada: the Mackenzie wood bison (Bison bison athabascae)

Abstract

In 1963, 18 wood bison Bison bison athabascae were introduced to the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. The population has grown at a mean exponential rate of r = 0.215 ± 0.007, reaching 1718 bison ≥10 months of age by April 1987. Analysis of annual population growth revealed a maximum exponential rate of r = 0.267 in 1975, followed by a declining rate of population growth. The area occupied by the population increased at an exponential rate of 0.228 ± 0.017 km2.yr-1. The dispersal of mature males followed a pattern described as an innate process, while dispersal of females and juveniles exhibited characteristics of pressure-threshold dispersal. -Authors