Seasonal movements of caribou in arctic Alaska as determined by satellite

Abstract

Between 1985 and 1987, 49 283 locations and 79 101 sets of activity data were obtained for 34 adult female caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) of the Porcupine and Central Arctic herds using satellite telemetry. Daily movement rates of female caribou from the two herds, which differ greatly in size and separation of seasonal ranges, were similar except during the spring and fall migration periods. Movement rates in July exceeded those during migration in both herds. The minimum annual distances travelled by caribou cows, ranging to 5055 km, were the longest movements documented for any terrestrial mammal.