Caribou reactions to provocation by snowmachines in Newfoundland

Caribou in Gros Morne National Park reacted to provocation by snowmachine with significant differences in their response between years. Upon exposure to snow machines, caribou were displaced 60 to 237 m from their inital locations. Groups with calves allowed the snow machines to approach more closely before responding than adult only groups, and their overall flight distances we less. The time spent in locomotion and overall reaction time were greater for animals engaged in the sedentary activities than for animals already engaged in more dynamic activities such as walking, running, and feeding. Annual difference in the response of adult-only groups were not due to difference in the sex ration of these groups, but may be related to annual variation in winter weather conditions.