Physical condition and blood physiology of wolves in relation to moose density

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Abstract
This study examines the direct effects of moose density (0.23 and 0.37 animal/km2) on the nutritional status of wolves (N = 105). Low moose density depressed significantly growth of pups as assessed by their weights, total lengths, and shoulder heights. Similarly, weights of adults were negatively affected by low moose density. No consistent differences in values of 14 blood parameters were detected. Factors other than moose density clearly determined most of the variation in these measurements. In the absence of other ungulate species, wolves were nutritionally stressed when moose density decreased below 0.4 moose/km2. Under our conditions, a sharp decline in predation rate at this lower moose density seems attributable to the direct effects of malnutrition on wolf numbers.