Using low-fix rate GPS telemetry to expand estimates of ungulate reproductive success

Table 1 Confirmed and predicted reproductive outcomes for GPS-collared elk cows

Outcome	VIT-instrumented cows			Group B predictions			Group C predictions			Overall
Outcome	2020	2021	Total	2020	2021	Total	2020	2021	Total	2020	2021	Total
Unused
Not pregnant	0	2	2							0	2	2
Cow died	1	1	2							1	1	2
Early expulsion	1	2	3							1	2	3
VIT malfunction	2	0	2							2	0	2
Born outside period	0	2	2							0	2	2
< 30 days of data				9	4	13				9	4	13
Used for calculations
Abortion	0	1	1							0	1	1
Stillborn	0	1	1							0	1	1
Calf died within 1 week	2	3	5							2	3	5
Overall failure	2	5	7	7	3	10		7	7	9	8	24
Calf survived to 1 week	19	21	40	7	2	9		12	12	26	23	61
Totals	21	26	47	14	5	19		19	19	35	31	85
Success rate	0.905	0.808	0.851	0.500	0.400	0.474		0.632	0.632	0.743	0.742	0.718

Here we consider a “success” to be when an individual gives live birth and rears a calf to at least 1 week old. Individuals not used for calculations include cows determined to be not pregnant via blood test, cows that died before giving birth, cows with early VIT expulsions or malfunctions, cows that gave birth outside the study calving period (15 May–15 Jul), and cows for which we received < 30 days of relocation data. Group B consists of cows that were confirmed pregnant via serology in mid-winter but whose parturition/calf survival status were unknown. Group C contains cows that were instrumented with VITs in 2020 and survived to the calving period in 2021; we did not capture these cows again and thus their pregnancy status in 2021 was unknown

ISSN: 2050-3385