Movement and Rutting Behavior of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) at Mount Albert, Quebec

Abstract

A caribou population of about 166 animaIs was observed at Mt. Albert, Quebec, from September 12 to Oclober 29, 1959. There was on constant turnover of animais seen in an open plateau on top of the mounlain. Possibly many of the does came to the plateau shortly before estrus. Stags were continually coming and going, possibly searching for females with which they coulct associa te. Rutting companies of caribou were temporary associations of femalcs, one dominant stag, and subordinate stags. Dominant stags herded females and chased subordinale males. These groups were not harems sÎ nce thcrc was no fixed soc ial attachment between individuals. Individuai animaIs recognized each other and there was rank hierarchy among 26 stags. Large ant lered stags near the top of the hierarchy bred most of the does in the perÎod September 27 to October 17. The peak of breeding occurred about Oelober 7.