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Results of intensive studies indicate that the primary factor limiting growth of the Kaminuriak caribou population was a low rate of annual increment due to high losses of calves during the first month of life. The strong affinity of females for calving and postcalving areas increases the vulnerability of calves to human disturbance. Patterns of activity during and after calving may be necessary for maintaining the social structure and discreteness of the population. Pipeline construction near calving and summering areas may threaten socialization, causing abandonment of traditional ranges, greater calf mortality, and reduction of the population. The cow-calf bond may be weakened if arrival on the calving ground is delayed, or the energy cost of travel is raised, due to the presence of barriers on the migration route. Calf survival would most likely decrease because bonding minimizes the possibility of permanent cow-calf separation during the critical time following birth.
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