Wolf movement within and beyond the territory boundary

Abstract

Wolf (Canis lupus) movements are either beyond or within the territory boundary. Rare dispersal movements beyond the territory boundary occur to colonize new territories. Within their territories wolves raise pups and hunt. I analyze data from GPS collars on wolves and develop mathematical models for movement both within and beyond the territory boundary. I derive an integrodifference model to investigate the effects of reproduction, pair formation and dispersal on colonization rates. For within territory movements, I develop a statistical model to determine the effect of GPS measurement error on measured distributions of turning angles and directional biases. I test for a directional bias with respect to past kills, the territory boundary and elevation gradients for within territory movements. Together these models show the role of pair formation, GPS measurement error and ecological features in determining movement patterns and population spread.