Introduction
The spatial distribution of mountain ungulates is driven by trade-offs between inter- and intra-specific competition for resources, predation risk, and access to mates (Geist 1971; Tobler et al. 2009; Richard et al. 2014). Mineral licks are important landscape elements that can influence movement of ungulate species throughout the world (Cowan and Brink 1949; Walther 1973; McNaughton 1988; Tobler et al. 2009). While sodium (salt) is highly attractive to ungulates, there is no definitive consensus what minerals ungulates are seeking. Regardless of why animals are attracted to mineral licks, there is no doubt that licks are frequently and repeatedly visited by alpine ungulates during summer months (Geist 1971; Hebert and Cowan 1971; Carbyn 1975; Jones and Hansen 1985; Poole et al. 2010).
Mineral licks are considered "sensitive landscape features" in Alberta, requiring legal setbacks and formal consideration in industry and commercial development plans. Unfortunately, most historically documented mineral licks in Alberta have no associated species-use information. Biologists with the Ministry of Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) and the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) have attempted to identify species associations with these sites using remote cameras or by residual evidence (e.g., hair or scat). This work is both time consuming and expensive to undertake for the large number of sites that require investigation. However, recent movement data collected by GPS-collared Rocky Mountain bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis canadensis) may allow determination of sites likely to be utilised by the species, as well as the identification of new, unknown mineral licks that may influence movement, seasonal distribution, and disease risk.
This research aims to increase our understanding of bighorn movement, population connectivity and disease risk in Alberta, by identifying the use of known licks, and discovering previously unknown lick locations. To predict lick site use I have attempted to:
1) quantify the movement patterns of bighorn sheep at known mineral lick sites;
2) use movement patterns to identify which "known" lick sites are used by bighorns; and
3) predict locations of previously unknown lick sites that will be investigated in near-term fieldwork.
The results of this research will be integrated into a larger study on ram movement that aims to improve our knowledge of bighorn ecology, population connectivity, and disease risk analyses.
Mineral licks are considered "sensitive landscape features" in Alberta, requiring legal setbacks and formal consideration in industry and commercial development plans. Unfortunately, most historically documented mineral licks in Alberta have no associated species-use information. Biologists with the Ministry of Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP) and the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) have attempted to identify species associations with these sites using remote cameras or by residual evidence (e.g., hair or scat). This work is both time consuming and expensive to undertake for the large number of sites that require investigation. However, recent movement data collected by GPS-collared Rocky Mountain bighorn rams (Ovis canadensis canadensis) may allow determination of sites likely to be utilised by the species, as well as the identification of new, unknown mineral licks that may influence movement, seasonal distribution, and disease risk.
This research aims to increase our understanding of bighorn movement, population connectivity and disease risk in Alberta, by identifying the use of known licks, and discovering previously unknown lick locations. To predict lick site use I have attempted to:
1) quantify the movement patterns of bighorn sheep at known mineral lick sites;
2) use movement patterns to identify which "known" lick sites are used by bighorns; and
3) predict locations of previously unknown lick sites that will be investigated in near-term fieldwork.
The results of this research will be integrated into a larger study on ram movement that aims to improve our knowledge of bighorn ecology, population connectivity, and disease risk analyses.
This collared study ram was one of the early mortalities in a Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae outbreak near Sheep River Provincial Park, southwest of Calgary, Alberta, in late February 2023. Mineral licks may play a role in the transmission of both parasites and disease, therefore it is important that we understand how mineral licks may influence animal movements, and affect interactions between individuals.