Post by grrraaahhh on May 4, 2011 8:26:37 GMT -9
Polar Bear predation of Muskoxen is rare but predation events have been recorded.
Limited Text Extract
"Only on rare occasions have bears been reported to threaten or kill muskoxen. Hone (1934) reported the probable killing of an old bull by a polar bear in Germania Land in East Greenland. This appears to be the only reported instance of such predation."
Source: TENER, J.S. 1965. Muskoxen in Canada: A Biological and Taxonomic Review. Canadian Wildlife Service Monograph 2. 166 p.
Also...
Abstract: The muskox (Ovibos moschatus wardi) is indigenous to northern and northeastern Greenland and presently occurs on natural ranges from Peary Land (83 °N) to Scoresby Sund (70°N). Recent information on population parameters is scant for most areas. Three more or less discrete populations are recognized. The total number of muskoxen in northeast Greenland is assessed to 20,000 in 1983. Muskoxen are no longer present in northwest Greenland. During the 1960's, 27 subadult muskoxen were transplanted from northeast Greenland to Scindre Streimfjord in west Greenland (67°N). This population has now increased to 700 individuals. Both arctic wolves and polar bears prey on muskoxen, but mortality caused by predation is considered insignificant compared to other causes of natural mortality. Ninety-five percent of the muskox range is included in a national park where muskox hunting is prohibited. Quota based harvesting outside the park is legal only for native hunters of Scoresbysund municipality.
"The muskox has only 2 natural predators in northeast Greenland, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the arctic wolf (Canis lupus). Throughout northeast Greenland polar bears are common, and there are several observations of adult polar bears attacking and killing muskoxen, most often lone adult bulls (J. Danielsen, pers. comm.; F. Kristoffersen, pers. comm.; T. Larsen, pers. comm.)."
"Polar bears and arctic wolves are absent in central west Greenland. The introduced muskoxen around Sondre Stromfjord therefore live in an area without natural predators."
Source: STATUS OF THE MUSKOX IN GREENLAND HENNING THING, 1984. Game Biology Station, Kate, DK-8410 Ronde, Denmark POUL HENRICHSEN, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen 0, Denmark POUL LASSEN Game Biology Station, Kate, DK-8410 Ronde, Denmark.
Limited Text Extract
"Only on rare occasions have bears been reported to threaten or kill muskoxen. Hone (1934) reported the probable killing of an old bull by a polar bear in Germania Land in East Greenland. This appears to be the only reported instance of such predation."
Source: TENER, J.S. 1965. Muskoxen in Canada: A Biological and Taxonomic Review. Canadian Wildlife Service Monograph 2. 166 p.
Also...
Abstract: The muskox (Ovibos moschatus wardi) is indigenous to northern and northeastern Greenland and presently occurs on natural ranges from Peary Land (83 °N) to Scoresby Sund (70°N). Recent information on population parameters is scant for most areas. Three more or less discrete populations are recognized. The total number of muskoxen in northeast Greenland is assessed to 20,000 in 1983. Muskoxen are no longer present in northwest Greenland. During the 1960's, 27 subadult muskoxen were transplanted from northeast Greenland to Scindre Streimfjord in west Greenland (67°N). This population has now increased to 700 individuals. Both arctic wolves and polar bears prey on muskoxen, but mortality caused by predation is considered insignificant compared to other causes of natural mortality. Ninety-five percent of the muskox range is included in a national park where muskox hunting is prohibited. Quota based harvesting outside the park is legal only for native hunters of Scoresbysund municipality.
"The muskox has only 2 natural predators in northeast Greenland, the polar bear (Ursus maritimus) and the arctic wolf (Canis lupus). Throughout northeast Greenland polar bears are common, and there are several observations of adult polar bears attacking and killing muskoxen, most often lone adult bulls (J. Danielsen, pers. comm.; F. Kristoffersen, pers. comm.; T. Larsen, pers. comm.)."
"Polar bears and arctic wolves are absent in central west Greenland. The introduced muskoxen around Sondre Stromfjord therefore live in an area without natural predators."
Source: STATUS OF THE MUSKOX IN GREENLAND HENNING THING, 1984. Game Biology Station, Kate, DK-8410 Ronde, Denmark POUL HENRICHSEN, Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen 0, Denmark POUL LASSEN Game Biology Station, Kate, DK-8410 Ronde, Denmark.
