Time period: June 1 - 10
(total rating=6; importance rank=1)
Click on this map to view the concentrated calving distribution.
The calving period received the highest ranking of all time periods. Adult females are at the lowest ebb of their physical condition, they have the largest energetic deficit, they are least tolerant to human disturbance, the time period is critical to the survival and development of calves (50% of first year mortality is in the first month), the region used appears to provide reduced predators and abundant forage soon after calving, and no alternative habitats are apparently available.
