Distribution and Densities of Wolves within Barren-Ground Caribou Range in Northern Mainland Canada

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Abstract
Observations of wolves (Canis lupus) were recorded during aerial surveys of barren-ground caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) from May 1966 to October 1968 over portions of northern Manitoba, northeastern Saskatchewan, and southeastern District of Keewatin, Northwest Territories. These observations were made over the entire range of the Kaminuriak population of caribou. There was a close association between the distribution of wolves and caribou. The average size of wolf packs was larger in autumn and winter (3.0) than in summer (1.7), and there was little change in the monthly mean sizes of packs from October to April. The area used by caribou wintering in northwestern Manitoba and northeastern Saskatchewan, decreased from 3594 square miles in January to 682 square miles in April 1968, with a consequent increase in caribou density from 14 to 68.5 per square mile. A corresponding increase in wolf density during that period within the same area was not detected. Wolf densities appeared to maximize at approximately one wolf per 7 to 8 square miles and remain stable. Estimated wolf numbers in the area of high caribou density decreased from 258 in January to 60 in April.

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