Influence of Predation by Mountain Lions on Numbers and Survivorship of a Feral Horse Population

2001 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 183 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Turner ◽  
Michael L. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Horse Population ◽  
Mountain Lions ◽  
Feral Horse

Seasonal mountain lion predation on a feral horse population

1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (5) ◽  
pp. 929-934 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Turner Jr. ◽  
Michael L. Wolfe ◽  
Jay F. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
First Year ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horses ◽  
Mountain Lions ◽  
Mountain Lion ◽  
Felis Concolor ◽  
Feral Horse ◽  
Annual Cohort ◽  
Demographic Impact

A population of feral horses (Equus caballus) was studied from 1986 to 1991 to determine the demographic impact of predation by the mountain lion (Felis concolor). The population, inhabiting a 600-km2 area on the central California – Nevada border comprised approximately 162 individuals > 1 year old, with an average of 9 yearlings, 8 two-year-olds, and 144 adults. Numbers of horses varied by only 4–8% and showed no consistent trend. The parturition peak spanned May and June, when 80% of foaling occurred. One-third of the average annual cohort of 33 foals was missing by July and only half of the cohort remained by October. The mean first-year survival rate estimated from the differential incidence of foals and yearlings in successive years was 0.27, which was less than one-third of the foal survival rate reported for other feral horse populations. A minimum of four adult mountain lions used the study area each year between May and October. Of 28 foal carcasses located from May to mid-July, at least 82% were the result of mountain lion kills. No evidence of predation on older horses was observed, but mountain lions preyed on mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) during winter. We conclude that the growth of this horse population is limited by predation.

Causes and consequences of an unusually male‐biased adult sex ratio in an unmanaged feral horse population

2020 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 2909-2921
Author(s):  
Charlotte E. Regan ◽  
Sarah A. Medill ◽  
Jocelyn Poissant ◽  
Philip D. McLoughlin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horse ◽  
Adult Sex Ratio

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity in a Feral Horse Population from Sable Island, Canada

2007 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 594-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Plante ◽  
J. L. Vega-Pla ◽  
Z. Lucas ◽  
D. Colling ◽  
B. de March ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horse

Immunocontraception decreases group fidelity in a feral horse population during the non-breeding season

2009 ◽  
Vol 117 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 74-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra M.V. Nuñez ◽  
James S. Adelman ◽  
Carolyn Mason ◽  
Daniel I. Rubenstein
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horse

scholarly journals Feral Horse Distribution, Habitat Use and Population Dynamics in Theodore Roosevelt National Park

1990 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 123-125
Author(s):  
Clayton Marlow ◽  
Leonard Gagnon ◽  
Elena Hovland ◽  
Lynn Irby
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Home Range Size ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Theodore Roosevelt ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horses ◽  
Population Growth Rates ◽  
Feral Horse ◽  
Theodore Roosevelt National Park ◽  
Reproductive Rates

Description of the ecological niche feral horses fill in Theodore Roosevelt National Park requires information on reproductive rates, home range size, individual and band affinity to home ranges, food and shelter requirements and seasonal diets. Therefore, the initial objectives will be to: 1. identify the number, size and location of home ranges for harem and bachelor stallion bands; 2. describe daily and seasonal movements of bands within identified home ranges; 3. describe the vegetation habitat types and landform types used by horses for mating, foaling, foraging, and resting cover; 4. describe seasonal horse diets; and 5. collect data on sex, age and social hierarchy within respective bands to facilitate estimation of horse population growth rates. Ultimately, this information will be used to accomplish the project goal; integrate horse requirements with those of elk, bison and the Park's vegetation communities to determine the large ungulate carrying capacity of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Using Fecal DNA and Closed‐Capture Models to Estimate Feral Horse Population Size

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn A. Schoenecker ◽  
Sarah R. B. King ◽  
L. Stefan Ekernas ◽  
Sara J. Oyler‐McCance
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Fecal Dna ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horse

Prospects for immunocontraception in feral horse population control: exploring novel targets for an equine fertility vaccine

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 853 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleona Swegen ◽  
R. John Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Population Control ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Horse Population ◽  
Feral Horses ◽  
Feral Horse ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Free Ranging

Feral horses populate vast land areas and often induce significant ecological and economic damage throughout the landscape. Non-lethal population control methods are considered favourable in light of animal welfare, social and ethical considerations; however, no single effective, safe and species-specific contraceptive agent is currently available for use in free-ranging wild and feral horses. This review explores aspects of equine reproductive physiology that may provide avenues for the development of specific and long-lasting immunocontraceptive vaccines and some of the novel strategies that may be employed to facilitate appropriate antigen discovery in future research. Potential antigen targets pertaining to spermatozoa, the ovary and oocyte, as well as the early conceptus and its associated factors, are reviewed in the context of their suitability for immunocontraceptive vaccine development.

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