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Southern Utah translocation mule deer study update email.
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All,
Mule deer translocation update for February 9th-February 15th
?? Additional lab results associated with translocated deer came back showing general agreement between the ultrasound assessment of pregnancy and a hormone test using blood. Because the initial capture (early January) was early term (conception in November or December associated with the rut), there was potential to miss pregnancies with the ultrasound. In summary, hormone tests suggest all but 5 of the 51 translocated deer were pregnant when captured. All but one of these was suspected as open based on ultrasound. Thanks Leslie!
?? We were unable to hear the 1 resident deer with a suspect collar (weak signal) from the ground this week. We hiked in to the area near the location we marked on the flight last week, but were unable to detect the signal. We also listened from different locations surrounding the area where she was located on the flight without success. As we move forward, we may only have sporadic contact with this deer on flights.
?? We had one translocated deer mortality this week. This deer died between Monday February 11th and Wednesday February 13th. Mountain lion tracks and caching of the carcass suggest cougar predation. This deer was found approximately .50 miles east of the deer killed last week by a cougar and we suspect the same animal is responsible for both events. Both of these deer were in dense junipers at higher elevations than the majority of resident and other translocated deer which may have put them at increased risk of predation.
?? We've listened for radio signals 3 times since the last update and identified the general location for 48 of 49 resident deer (missing the resident deer with a weak signal) and 46 of 46 translocated deer.
?? We have continued to carefully (without disturbing them) observe translocated deer. We have now observed 15 different translocated deer. All but one of them has been associated with groups of resident deer. Although time intensive, we will continue these efforts over the next several weeks.
?? This week, we downloaded data from 5 gps collars (3 translocated deer and 2 resident deer). These 5 GPS collars appear to be working well. Thanks to Kent for helping with remote downloads and initial programming of GPS collars. The attached .kmz file shows translocated deer are using the same general areas as resident deer, but that their movements and habitat use are more widespread and dispersed. Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue remote downloads (need to be within a few hundred meters between 6 am and noon) on remaining GPS collars (total GPS collars currently out = 18).
?? In summary, we've had six total mortalities (1 of 50 resident deer, 5 of 51 translocated deer). At least one of the translocated deer died of capture myopathy. Forty eight resident deer (missing one with weak radio signal) and 46 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week.
?? We urge caution when interpreting these results as they are only preliminary.
Thanks to all for continued interest and support.
Please forward to any that are interested.
David Smedley
------------------------------------------------------
Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
------------------------------------------------------
All,
Mule deer translocation update for February 9th-February 15th
?? Additional lab results associated with translocated deer came back showing general agreement between the ultrasound assessment of pregnancy and a hormone test using blood. Because the initial capture (early January) was early term (conception in November or December associated with the rut), there was potential to miss pregnancies with the ultrasound. In summary, hormone tests suggest all but 5 of the 51 translocated deer were pregnant when captured. All but one of these was suspected as open based on ultrasound. Thanks Leslie!
?? We were unable to hear the 1 resident deer with a suspect collar (weak signal) from the ground this week. We hiked in to the area near the location we marked on the flight last week, but were unable to detect the signal. We also listened from different locations surrounding the area where she was located on the flight without success. As we move forward, we may only have sporadic contact with this deer on flights.
?? We had one translocated deer mortality this week. This deer died between Monday February 11th and Wednesday February 13th. Mountain lion tracks and caching of the carcass suggest cougar predation. This deer was found approximately .50 miles east of the deer killed last week by a cougar and we suspect the same animal is responsible for both events. Both of these deer were in dense junipers at higher elevations than the majority of resident and other translocated deer which may have put them at increased risk of predation.
?? We've listened for radio signals 3 times since the last update and identified the general location for 48 of 49 resident deer (missing the resident deer with a weak signal) and 46 of 46 translocated deer.
?? We have continued to carefully (without disturbing them) observe translocated deer. We have now observed 15 different translocated deer. All but one of them has been associated with groups of resident deer. Although time intensive, we will continue these efforts over the next several weeks.
?? This week, we downloaded data from 5 gps collars (3 translocated deer and 2 resident deer). These 5 GPS collars appear to be working well. Thanks to Kent for helping with remote downloads and initial programming of GPS collars. The attached .kmz file shows translocated deer are using the same general areas as resident deer, but that their movements and habitat use are more widespread and dispersed. Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue remote downloads (need to be within a few hundred meters between 6 am and noon) on remaining GPS collars (total GPS collars currently out = 18).
?? In summary, we've had six total mortalities (1 of 50 resident deer, 5 of 51 translocated deer). At least one of the translocated deer died of capture myopathy. Forty eight resident deer (missing one with weak radio signal) and 46 translocated deer were alive and accounted for this week.
?? We urge caution when interpreting these results as they are only preliminary.
Thanks to all for continued interest and support.
Please forward to any that are interested.
David Smedley
------------------------------------------------------
Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
