Reproduction, growth and body composition of Riviere George caribou in captivity

Abstract

Daily food consumpion of Rangifer tarandus exhibited an annual cycle, peaking at over 100 g.kg-0.75 in summer and decreasing to 70 g.kg-0.75 by late winter. Food consumption decreased at the end of the last summer, due perhaps to lower hay quality. Mean body mass of adult females increased from 90kg upon arrival at the zoo to 115km in the autumn of 1987, 125kg in September 1988, and then decreased to 113kg in November 1989. Pregnancy rate increased from 65% in 1987 to 82% in 1989 for animals captured in the wild. Two females born in captivity in 1987 became pregnant as yearlings, while one of three yearling females ovulated in 1989. -from Authors