Previous research on wolf packs in the Jasper area has shown that deer are an important food source. If deer seek refuge from predators, for example by calving in the town site, they are able to maintain higher populations as a result. This means more food for predators, which could cause wolf populations to increase artificially, in turn leading to negative impacts on caribou numbers.
Following the collaring of 19 deer (seven white-tailed and 12 mule) last spring, Jasper National Park biologists recently acquired the park’s first mule deer GPS data showing the movements of one female deer for eight months, from April to December 2012.
Mule deer 165 was initially captured behind the Sawridge Hotel in April. She stuck close to town until May 23, when she travelled approximately 50 kilometres into the Whirlpool area in just three days. After having a fawn around May 29, she spent the remainder of the summer further up the Whirlpool valley, and then moved from there to Whistler’s campground in a single day on September 28. She hung around near town until December 2, when early in the morning she was struck on Highway 16, near the junction with Highway 93A.
While this particular story’s ending is a good reminder to slow down and drive carefully on park roads, the deer study project is a great way to increase our understanding of deer population dynamics and movements.
