Calving success of woodland caribou exposed to low-level jet fighter overflights

Abstract

Effects on Rangifer tarandus caribou of low-level military jet training at Goose Bay (Labrador) were studied. A calf survival index, the number of survey periods (maximum-4) that a cow was accompanied by a calf, was negatively correlated with the female's exposure to low-level jet overflights during the calving and immediate post-calving period and again during the period of insect harassment during summer. No significant relationship between calf survival and exposure to low-level flying was seen during the pre-calving period, during the late post-calving period to insect harassment, and during fall. Jets should avoid overflying woodland caribou calving range at least during the last week of May and the first three weeks of June. -from Authors