Predator-naive moose mothers whose calves were killed by wolves who recolonized Jackson Hole, Wyo. The delay in returning to feeding increased from a mean of less than 30 seconds to more than six minutes. It's very interesting and important to note that moose mothers whose young died of starvation or after being struck by cars displayed lower vigilance than mothers who had actually experienced wolves. Thus, mothers who'd lost offspring to predators were hypersensitive and this might contribute to increased survival of their young. Berger's study is an example of very clever and extremely difficult experimental field research that tests important and practical hypotheses in behavioral ecology and conservation biology.
Naive prey can indeed rapidly develop the ability to process information about predators.
This is a very useful adaptation. The rapid response of moose is very good news for reintroduction programs. It's also good news for moose and perhaps other prey species, because predators are being reintroduced in about 175 locations worldwide in efforts to conserve them. Clearly, what you don't know can and will harm you. The Daily Camera.