Pedersen, V.A., Linnell, J.D.C., Andersen, R., Andrén, H., Lindén, M. & Segerström, P. 1999: Winter lynx Lynx lynx predation on semi-domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus in northern Sweden. - Wildl. Biol. 5: 203-211.
The predation behaviour of six lynx Lynx lynx family groups, i.e. adult females with dependent kittens, was studied using radio-tracking and snow-tracking in the Sarek area of northern Sweden during winter 1995/96 and 1996/97. One hundred and six daily radio-locations were obtained, and 340 km of intervening tracks were followed in the snow. Forty-one scats were collected, and 57 hunting attempts, 37 of which were successful, were recorded. Semi-domestic reindeer Rangifer tarandus contributed over 90% to lynx ingested meat calculated from both scats and kills. Eighty-three percent of hunting attempts on reindeer, and 53% of attempts on small prey species, mainly Lagopus sp. and mountain hares Lepus timidus, were successful. Four incidents of multiple-killing of reindeer were documented. Reindeer were generally in poor body condition, with an average femur marrow fat content of 27%. Lynx spent an average of three nights at each reindeer kill-site. Reindeer were less completely consumed than small prey (61% vs 99%). The amount of meat eaten from a reindeer was proportional to the number of lynx-nights on the kill. An overall kill rate of one reindeer per five days was calculated. We concluded that reindeer are a very important food source for lynx in winter, which potentially could lead to problems in resolving the carnivore-livestock conflicts in the region.
Key words: carnivore-livestock conflicts, diet, Lynx lynx, predation, Rangifer tarandus, semi-domestic reindeer
Correspondent author: John D.C. Linnell
Vegar A. Pedersen & Reidar Andersen, Zoology Institute, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7034 Dragvoll, Trondheim, Norway
John D.C. Linnell, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Tungasletta 2, N-7485 Trondheim, Norway - e-mail: john.linnell@ninatrd.ninaniku.no
Henrik Andrén, Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Wildlife Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, S-730 91 Riddarhyttan,
Sweden
Mats Lindén, Department of Animal Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
Peter Segerström, Vaikijaur 617, S-962 99 Jokkmokk, Sweden
Received 2 February 1999, accepted 20 August 1999
Associate Editor: Paolo Cavallini