Mineral absorption in relation to nutritional ecology of reindeer

This paper addresses the way which absorption of minerals relate to nutritional ecology and mineral conservation processes. A latin square designed experiment was used to assess the effects of diet on mineral (Ca, Mg, K, Na) absorption processes in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.). Three male calves were fed 3 different diets: concentrate with 25% grass meal (RF-71), lichens, and a mixed diet of lichens and RF-71. Two other male calves were fed the lichen or mixed diet, supplemented with 4 g Ca/day. Ca supplementation significantly increased fecal Ca excretion, reduced the excretion of K and Mg, but had no significant effect on Na excretion. Rates of intake and fecal exretion of Ca, Mg and K were highly correlated (P<0.001), while no correlations were found for Na. Negative digestibilities of Ca, Mg and K, and a positive Na digestibility were noted for the lichen diet. For the other diets, all minerals were in positive digestibility, and Ca supplements increased the digestibility of all minerals. Digesta from different sections of the alimentary tract were collected after termination of the experiment. Alimentary pools of Ca and K were equal for animals fed lichen or RF-71, whereas the Na pool was largest on the lichen diet and the Mg pool largest on the RF-71 diet. Rumen turnover time (rumen mineral pool size/daily mineral intake) was consistently less than 3 days for Ca and Mg, but was 22 and 82 days for Na on the RF-71 and lichen diets respectively. Estimates of mineral exchange in various parts of the tract showed that the intestines play and important role in scavanging endogenously secreted minerals. Results are discussed with respect to mineral binding by lichens and the possible role of natural mineral supplements in the nutritional ecology of reindeer

Equipment for placing a sustained release bolus in the rumen of reindeer

A pair of pliers were developed to place sustained release boli with a diameter of 18-20 mm and a length of 50-60 mm safely into the rumen of reindeer. The pliers are connected to a flexible, plastic coated steel tube terminating in a bronze headpiece. Inside this tube a polyfilament, stainless steel wire connects the pliers to an attachment screw in the headpiece. Before treatment the bolus is screwed on to this screw. After the bolus has been guided through the pharynx and oesophagus into the rumen, it is released by squeezing the pair of pliers which then retracts the attachment screw and allows the bolus to drop off. Spring loading of the attachment screw ensures retraction of the screw into the headpiece if the bolus is lost during the operation. The equipment has been used for treatment of more than 1000 reindeer.Utstyr for nedføring av tabletter i vomma på rein.Abstract in Norwegian / Sammendrag: Et nedleggingsutstyr for innføring av vomtabletter i vomma på rein blir beskrevet. Vomtablettene har en diameter på 18-20 mm og en lengde på 50-60 mm. Utstyret består av en tang som via en bøyelig, plastbelagt spiralwire er forbundet med et hodestykke i bronse. En polyfilament stålwire går inne i spiralwiren fra tangen til hodestykket hvor den ender i en festeskrue. For behandling skrues festeskruen inn i et hull i bakflaten av vomtabletten. Etter nedføring i vomma frigjøres tabletten ved at festeskruen med kraft fra tanga trekkes ut av tabletten. Fjærbelastning av festeskruen sikrer at skruen trekkes inn og beskyttes i hodestykket dersom tabletten mistes under behandling av urolige dyr. Det er behandlet ca 1000 rein med nedleggingsutstyret. En behandling med to tabletter tar 2-5 min. pr. dyr inkludert nedlegging og fiksering av dyret.&nbsp

The introduction of reindeer to Brøggerhalvøya, Svalbard: grazing preference and effect on vegetation

In 1978 after about 100 years of absence, 15 Svalbard reindeer, Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus were reintroduced to Brøggerhalvøya, a peninsula on the north-western coast of Svalbard. This stock had increased to about 200 animals in 1989. Studies of reindeer grazing behaviour were carried out in 1979-1980 and 1988¬1989. Highly prefered lichen species such as Cetraria nivalis had almost completely disappeared by 1989, whereas a less prefered species, Cetraria delisei, was still abundant. Year round dietary intake of grasses, lichens and herbs e.g. Oxyria digyna, had decreased by 1989, whereas that of mosses had increased. Essentially reindeer showed a more opportunistic grazing behaviour with more balanced utilization of all types of plant associations in 1989. The grazing behaviour of the reindeer on Brøggerhalvøya is therefore similar to that observed for Svalbard reindeer in general

Population overlap and habitat segregation in wintering Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa

Distinct breeding populations of migratory species may overlap both spatially and temporally, but differ in patterns of habitat use. This has important implications for population monitoring and conservation. To quantify the extent to which two distinct breeding populations of a migratory shorebird, the Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, overlap spatially, temporally and in their use of different habitats during winter. We use mid-winter counts between 1990 and 2001 to identify the most important sites in Iberia for Black-tailed Godwits. Monthly surveys of estuarine mudflats and rice-fields at one major site, the Tejo estuary in Portugal in 2005-2007, together with detailed tracking of colour-ringed individuals, are used to explore patterns of habitat use and segregation of the Icelandic subspecies L. l. islandica and the nominate continental subspecies L. l. limosa. In the period 1990-2001, over 66 000 Black-tailed Godwits were counted on average in Iberia during mid-winter (January), of which 80% occurred at just four sites: Tejo and Sado lower basins in Portugal, and Coto Dontildeana and Ebro Delta in Spain. Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits are present throughout the winter and forage primarily in estuarine habitats. Continental Black-tailed Godwits are present from December to March and primarily use rice-fields. Iberia supports about 30% of the Icelandic population in winter and most of the continental population during spring passage. While the Icelandic population is currently increasing, the continental population is declining rapidly. Although the estuarine habitats used by Icelandic godwits are largely protected as Natura 2000 sites, the habitat segregation means that conservation actions for the decreasing numbers of continental godwits should focus on protection of rice-fields and re-establishment of freshwater wetlands

Effects of ammoniumiron-hexacyanoferrate on the accumulation of radiocesium in reindeer

It is concluded that a sustained release bolus for administration of a cesium binder of the ironhexa-cyanoferrate type provides a promising method for reduction of radiocesium uptake from contaminated pastures. Included is also a discussion after Hove's lecture