Wisconsin Study Shows Wolves Benefit Forests PAGE 4 Apex Carnivore Competition: What does the return of the wolf mean for cougar populations in Oregon? PAGE 8 Wood River Wolf Project Helps Idaho Sheep and Wolves Share the Landscape PAGE 11 Wolves in a Changing World October 12–14, 2018

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To register, or for more information, visit wolf.org VOLUME 27, NO. 4 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER WINTER 2017

4 Adobe Stock / Nadine Haase 8 AdobeStock/Erni 11 Bean Phoebe Wisconsin Study Shows Apex Carnivore Competition: Wood River Wolf Project Wolves Benefit Forests What does the return of Helps Idaho Sheep and the wolf mean for cougar Wolves Share the Landscape “Trophic cascade” is the term used to populations in Oregon? describe the effect predators may have When a shepherd in northeastern on an entire ecosystem. Trophic refers to Cougars have rebounded in Oregon Oregon is awakened by barks and nutrition, and when wolves prey on other since the 1960s, and wolves have snarls, he knows his dogs are facing animals to get their food, the effects can expanded into the Pacific Northwest off with predators—and because of cascade throughout the environment. since reintroduction elsewhere in the the Wood River Wolf Project, he may Scientists have not reached agreement 1990s. Now, important questions arise now have tools to protect his flock and on the topic, but a recent study in as to how these carnivores will coexist preserve the wolves. No wolves have Wisconsin supports the notion that and what effects they may have on prey been killed in the project area since wolves—and their nutritional needs— species. Researchers from Oregon State 2008, and while the project is not do benefit the ecosystem. University and the Oregon Department the only deterrent, it appears to be of Fish and Wildlife are collaborating a significant one. By Tracy O’Connell to find answers. By Avery Shawler By Beth Orning

On the Cover Departments

Photo by Cobble-Art. 3 From the Visit www.cobble-art.com for more images Executive Director of wolves, wildlife, landscapes and more. 14 Tracking the Pack 18 Wild Kids Did you know? 20 Wolves of the World One easy way for you to help us conserve natural resources is to make sure we have 23 Personal Encounter your email address. Simply email your address to 26 A Look Beyond [email protected]. 28 Book Review

Kelly Godfrey Exhibit Pack member Grayson plays in the snow. 2018 Wolf Care Webinar Publications Director Chad Richardson Graphics Coordinator Annual Subscription Carissa L. Winter Consulting Editor Support the ambassador wolves with a Kristine Chapin subscription to the 2018 Wolf Care webinar series. Technical Editor These 12 one-hour sessions include birthday Dr. L. David Mech celebrations of the ambassador Graphic Designer Tricia Austin wolves, as well as topics ranging from superstitions, celestial effects Subscribe International Wolf (1089-683X) is published quarterly and copyrighted, 2017, by the and the change of the seasons and International Wolf Center, 7100 Northland Circle N, Suite 205, Minneapolis, MN 55428, USA. that may impact pack dynamics. Save! email: [email protected]. All rights reserved. Each webinar features a live view Publications agreement no. 1536338 of the wolves and the opportunity to Membership in the International Wolf Center includes direct questions to wolf care staff. Every a subscription to International Wolf magazine, free admission to the Center and discounts on programs webinar is recorded, and a link will be shared with and merchandise. subsribers so you can watch it Membership Levels: (in U.S. dollars) • Wolf Pup $25 (students • Wolf Associate $125 when it is convenient for you. age 21 and under) • Wolf Tracker $250 • Lone Wolf $45 • Wolf Sponsor $500 (individual) • Alpha Wolf $1,000 • Wolf Pack $75 Member $100 (family at same address) Outside the United States, please add an additional Non-Member $140 $15 to Wolf Pup, Lone Wolf, Wolf Pack and Wolf Associate memberships. Please mail membership payment to: International Wolf Center Administrative Office, Attn: Membership, 7100 Northland Circle N, Suite 205, Minneapolis, MN 55428, USA. Contact the membership department with questions: 763-560-7374 ext. 230 or [email protected]. International Wolf is a forum for airing perspectives, science-based information and personal experiences about wolves. Articles and materials printed in Inter- national Wolf do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the International Wolf Center or its board of directors. International Wolf welcomes submissions of personal adventures with wolves and wolf photo­ graphs.­ Prior to submission of other types of manu­scripts, address queries to Chad Richardson, publications director. PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or obvious from the caption or article text, photos are of captive wolves. To register, visit: International Wolf is printed entirely with soy ink on FSC® certified wolf.org/programs/webinars/ paper. We encour- FSC logo here age you to recycle this magazine.

2 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org From the Executive Director

INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER Peanut Butter-Flavored Bubbles BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy jo Tubbs hroughout the year, our wolves at the International Wolf Center Chair endure many of the same challenges faced by wolves in the wild— Dr. L. David Mech rain, wind, snow, and cold and hot temperatures, to name a few. Vice Chair TAnd as anyone who has visited northern Minnesota can attest, Rob Schultz Debbie Hinchcliffe there’s one more factor our wolves face—bugs! Secretary For most wolves, flying bugs are just a seasonal nuisance. But for one of our ambassador Paul B. Anderson wolves, Boltz, they are a seasonal nightmare. Over the years, he’s developed a strong dislike Treasurer for them. During the short summers in northern Minnesota, visitors often see Boltz twisting Cree Bradley and turning as he tries to knock them out of the sky. Cindy Carvelli-Yu All that activity got our staff thinking about what they could do to help. Rick Duncan Enter peanut butter-flavored bubbles. Fitz Fitzgerald Daily enrichment is something our staff takes seriously, even when talking about something Nancy Gibson as silly sounding as bubbles. Each summer day at noon, staff members lead enrichment activi- Judy Hunter ties for the wolves. On hot days you may find our wolf curator, Lori Schmidt, tossing ice cubes Connie LaFond or frozen beaver tails to the wolves. Other days they could be treated to canid-friendly cup- Deborah Wold Lewis cakes or tufts of fur from animals they’ve never encountered. And then…there are the bubbles. Aaron Morris To help Boltz develop a positive association with things flying around his head, staff experi- Mike Phillips mented with blowing bubbles around him. Eventually, when the bubbles became peanut but- Debbie Reynolds Jerry Sanders ter flavored, the positive association took hold. Paul Schurke I wish I could say that Boltz no longer has a fear of things flying around his head, but that Dick Thiel isn’t the case. Through the work being done by our wolf care team, though, we hope to keep Keira Thrasher reducing his anxiety about these pesky critters. Other wolves also benefit from the daily enrichment EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR provided by the wolf care team. They’re stimulated by Rob Schultz the exercises, as are our staff and volunteers who dream up the enrichment activities. One hot day this sum- MISSION mer, our visitors watched in wonder as Axel shot into The International Wolf Center the air, excitedly chasing after a stream of water from advances the survival a hose. Yet another time, Lori had the wolves scram- of wolf populations by bling to catch a beam of light emitted from a handheld teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and pointer. Just like us, wolves are curious creatures and the human role in their future. enjoy experiencing new things. If you have a great idea for a new enrichment expe- Kelly Godfrey Educational services and informational resources rience for our wolves, our curator would love to hear are available at: about it! Share your ideas with Lori by emailing them 1396 Highway 169 to: [email protected]. n Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA 800-ELY-WOLF Sincerely, 218-365-4695 email address: [email protected] www.wolf.org International Wolf Center Rob Schultz Boltz and the bubbles. Executive Director

International Wolf Winter 2017 3 Adobe Stock / Jeff McGraw Wisconsin Study Shows Wolves Benefit Forests

By TRACY O’CONNELL

rophic cascade is a phrase that refers to the effect predators have on the environment by controlling the population and habits of Tprey species, which in turn cause dramatic changes in the eco- system. It is the topic of several popular videos making the rounds online. The videos contend that the wolves’ return to Yellowstone National Park has benefitted vegetation, streams, and bird, insect and animal life. However, some scientists believe that the evidence for these claims may be faulty or unconvincing. (See “Do Wolves Cause Trophic Cascades?” Fall 2014 International Wolf.)

Several Yellowstone studies were and white-tailed deer. In the case of based on correlations (events happening elk in the Rocky Mountains, the pres- at the same time), which do not neces- ence of wolves was said to benefit the sarily prove causation. Thus other types growth of aspen. of studies are needed. One such study With moose on Isle Royale, the car- was recently done in Wisconsin, and nivores’ presence enabled more growth the same benefits to the environment of balsam fir (although correlations as those above were found to result included winter severity and other

from the relationship between wolves events, such as declining numbers of Wikimedia Commons/H. Zell

4 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org The Wisconsin study of wolves and deer addressed the degree to which wolves reduced the impact of white-tailed deer on saplings and other vegetation such as rare wildflowers in a northern forest.

Wisconsin Study Shows Wolves Benefit Forests Wikimedia Commons/Fungus Guy

wolves on the island, which affected County, Wisconsin, on the border of study area just over a decade ago, and the results.) Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. additional packs use surrounding terri- Trophic cascades have also been White-tailed deer were the only tories outside the study area. Data sug- examined in marine populations where ungulates in the study area, with densi- gest there are about three to five wolves the presence of sharks was found to ben- ties substantially higher than when their per 1,000 deer in this region. efit coral reefs because the population numbers were historically maintained Researchers, with the help of wildlife of grouper fish, if not held in check by by natural predation, dense forest habi- managers, radio collared and tracked sharks, feed more heavily on the par- tat and hunting by Native Americans. via GPS three members of the local wolf rot fish that clean the reefs of algae. Starting in the 1850s, logging created pack to determine high use areas—the Without the parrot fish, the algae dam- open forests favorable for deer habitat, places where they hunt the most—which age the reefs. Examples of cascades are and removal of predators and protec- were considered the places where deer believed to exist in the African savan- tive hunting laws led to sharp increases were most at risk of predation. They nah, too, although they have not been in the deer population in this region. also carried out weekly scat surveys formally studied. Targeted persecution of wolves resulted along all the accessible roads in the area The Wisconsin study of wolves and in the complete disappearance of the from May through October in 2008, and deer addressed the degree to which predator from the study area by the from 2010 through 2013, to verify their wolves reduced the impact of white- late 1950s. GPS findings. tailed deer on saplings and other “White-tailed deer numbers in this The research team next compared vegetation such as rare wildflowers region dramatically increased in the sapling growth and wildflower richness in a northern forest. The study took absence of gray wolf predation, and in areas of high and low wolf-use. Sugar place at the University of Notre Dame the subsequent increased grazing had maple and red maple are the area sap- Environmental Research Center on land significant negative impacts on forest lings most preferred by deer. Wildflower composed of forest, bogs and conifer sapling growth” and plant biodiversity, communities consist mostly of Canada swamps, located near the small, rural researchers noted. A new wolf pack mayflower, Canadian bunchberry, ferns, community of Land O’ Lakes in Vilas established a territory partially in the forbs (wildflowers) and grasses. Deer in

International Wolf Winter 2017 5 this region also feed on rarer plants, such there was no significant difference in as blue-beaded lily and Solomon’s seal. the size of saplings protected from deer Deer-proof fencing was used to enclose compared to those unprotected by fenc- a dozen selected areas that reflected both ing in the high wolf-use areas, showing high and low wolf-use to see how plant that the wolves were taking the place of growth progressed in the absence of fencing to protect the vegetation. grazing. This step was considered crucial Specifically, it was found that in areas to control for how plants would grow of high wolf concentration, deer were 62 without the deer present at all. Sapling percent less dense, their visit duration size and wildflower presence in each was reduced by 82 percent, and time enclosure was measured each August spent foraging was reduced by 43 per- from 2009 to 2012, as was deer dam- cent. The proportion of saplings browsed age to vegetation outside the enclosures was nearly sevenfold less. Average maple and, with the help of infrared cameras, sapling height and the richness of wild- the density and behavior of deer in both flower diversity increased 137 and 117 high and low wolf-use areas. percent in areas of high versus low wolf- Notable differences seen use, respectively. As expected, deer visited high wolf- A different kind of trophic cascade use areas less frequently than low Carnivores create trophic cascades wolf-use areas, where they browsed a in two ways—by direct reduction of the significantly higher proportion of maple herbivore population through kills, which saplings. The saplings grew substantially is called density mediation, and by what taller when protected by deer fencing in is called trait mediation, meaning that the low wolf-use areas, where deer other- the prey population alters its behaviors wise grazed more extensively. However, out of fear, changing habits and range,

and maintaining a more vigilant attitude. Adobe Stock/Sidney Cromer

Carnivores create trophic cascades in two ways—by direct reduction of the herbivore population through kills, which is called density mediation, and by what is called trait mediation, meaning that the prey population alters its behaviors out of fear… AdobeStock/Outdoorsman

6 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org These actions benefit vegetation in areas Isle Royale, is because differences in the ing trait-mediated cascades in Great where herbivore presence is diminished setting, and the size and type of prey. Lakes forests. These should be stronger because of possible predator activity. The dense forest of Wisconsin protects than density-mediated effects, given the Interestingly, while the trophic cas- deer with lower visibility than the elk behavioral changes of the deer extend cades in other wolf prey studies were and moose experience in their more to the entire population, rather than mainly caused by density mediation due open rangeland. Thus, predators don’t being limited to the numbers killed. to predators killing the herbivores, the see them as easily. In other words, the scientists assumed Wisconsin study found the benefits to The research team stated that wolves that wolves are benefitting plants with- vegetation resulted from trait-mediated also switch behavior based on habitat, out killing a lot of deer—and their data responses (as when grazers get fright- prey visibility and prey size. The team seemed to show that. ened and leave the grazing area). These suggested that wolves in relatively high- The researchers point to a different benefits are more widespread, since visibility Rocky Mountain systems with study that used camera traps to record the protective behavior is adopted by large elk as prey, act as “roaming chase red deer behavior in response to fresh the entire population—a much larger predators” whereas wolves in low-vis- wolf scat, suggesting these cues to the number of animals than those killed. ibility forest systems with smaller deer presence of wolves are sufficiently strong Researchers suggest the difference in species as prey, such as in Wisconsin, to increase deer vigilance—results in line the nature of the trophic cascade created act as “ambush predators.” The latter with scat distribution and deer behavior by wolves in Wisconsin, compared to approach further reduces the ability of in the Wisconsin study. findings in the Rocky Mountains and prey to detect the predator from a safe Some have questioned past wolf– distance and thus produces stronger pro- ungulate–plant studies because it is dif- tective, or trait-mediated, effects. (Other ficult to eliminate compounding factors researchers, however, do not necessarily as alternative explanations. For instance, agree with these suppositions.) in Yellowstone National Park, droughts, The Wisconsin biologists hypoth- increased winter severity, longer grow- esized that since deer numbers were ing seasons, and human harvest could not declining as steeply as would be be more important factors affecting elk the case in density-mediated cascades, declines, and conditions such as eleva- reductions in vegetation damage fol- tion and water table could be respon- lowing wolf recolonization of the area sible for differences in aspen growth. meant that those wolves are generat- The Wisconsin researchers note they did their best to avoid or minimize con- founding factors, for instance, examin- ing growth in vegetation not preferred by deer to ensure deer did not change grazing preferences during the study. They conclude, “The ability of pred- ator-free ungulates to become drivers of environmental change…is becom- ing increasingly recognized as a major conservation issue. There is also a rising Wikimedia Commons/Jason Hollinger Adobe Stock / PiLensPhoto awareness that predator removal and reintroduction can have dramatic impacts on ecosystems. We suggest that wolves and other large mammalian predators have the potential to be useful tools for forest ecosystem restoration, promoting the regeneration of ungulate-preferred species and/or increased forb diver- sity through the generation of density- mediated and/or trait-mediated trophic cascades.” n Wikimedia Commons/ USFWS ThomasDr. G. Barnes Tracy O’Connell is professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls in marketing communications and serves on the Center’s magazine and communica- tions committees. Adobe Stock / Clubhousearts

International Wolf Winter 2017 7 Apex Carnivore Competition:

What does the return of the wolf mean for cougar Adobe Stock / Baranov 555 populations in Oregon?

By BETH ORNING

pile of fur and bones juts out from a rock bluff next to a game trail, A across a long, open finger of a ridge. As I dig through the prey remains, deciphering the species, when and why it died, and what predator killed it, I know that answers to bigger questions may be hidden in these details. The feeding habits, distribution and interac- tions of top predators like wolves and cougars can vary greatly from ecosystem GPS-collared male wolf OR26 from the to ecosystem, and that knowledge is Meacham pack in the being recognized by wildlife managers Mount Emily WMU as critical for effective conservation and of northeast Oregon, management of carnivores. spring 2014. Wolves and Cougars in Oregon As in other parts of the western United States, predator eradication efforts in the mid-20th century removed all

Oregon Deptartment of Fish and Wildlife wolves from Oregon by the late 1940s

8 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org and greatly reduced cougar popula- tions by the 1960s. Cougars have since rebounded, and stable populations are widely distributed across the state. In 2016, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) estimated there were 6,300 cougars statewide. Wolves have been expanding their range into the Pacific Northwest since reintroductions in central Idaho and Yellowstone in the mid-1990s, with the first breeding pair in Oregon docu- mented in 2009. OR7’s famous 2011 dispersal and eventual colonization in the Cascade Range of western Oregon drew national media coverage that emphasized the expansion of Oregon’s wolf popula- tion. As of late 2016, Oregon had 10 to 13 known packs and statewide minimum estimates of 112 wolves. There is a scarcity of ecological infor- mation on intact predator-systems in Oregon, and the return of wolves to the landscape has raised questions about competition between wolves and cou-

gars, and the effects these two carnivores Grand Canyon National Park/Flickr might have on prey populations (elk and mule deer). These historically coexisting carnivores are once again sharing habitat and prey resources in Oregon, making them competitors. But their interactions remain difficult to document due to both species’ general shyness, secretive ten- dencies (like nocturnal activity), wide- • The subordinate competitor may Research has documented that wolves ranging movements and low population be killed outright by the dominant can steal cougar kills, and that they occa- densities. Nevertheless, information on competitor. sionally kill adult cougars and cougar the nature of interactions between top • Food acquired by the subordinate kittens, providing some evidence that carnivores like wolves and cougars is competitor may be stolen by the interactions favor wolves, and suggest- crucial to understanding the population dominant competitor. ing that cougars are the subordinate dynamics of both predators and their prey. • The subordinate competitor might competitors in wolf-cougar systems. actively avoid the dominant com- But wolf kills by cougars have also been How do wolves and cougars documented, so the relationship may be compete? petitor to reduce the risks of food loss or direct mortality. more complex than that, and subject to Interactions among top carnivores the specific context or ecosystem in ques- are typified by competition defined as These types of interactions have tion. Further, competitive interactions direct (e.g. one species kills another) important effects on the space use, dis- may have little effect on populations if and indirect (e.g. one species reduces tribution, and population dynamics of interactions are rare, or if cougars can food resources available to another). If the subordinate competitor. The group avoid interaction by eating alternate prey the outcome is always one-sided (one structure of a pack presumably gives or using habitats unoccupied by wolves. species always wins the encounter), the wolves an advantage in their interac- Knowledge about carnivore interac- winner is considered “dominant,” while tions with cougars (a pack of wolves tions is critical because they can influence the other is considered “subordinate.” outnumbers a solitary cougar), so the the population dynamics and spatial For a subordinate competitor, results direct threat when the two species inter- distribution of prey species, which can of unequal competition include three act is assumed to be greater for cougars cascade to positive or negative effects to possibilities: than for wolves. plant species, shaping the distribution

International Wolf Winter 2017 9 and composition of species that make 1) What ungulate prey (species, age, cougars in the pre- and post-wolf peri- up entire communities. sex, physical condition) are in wolves’ ods, respectively. We also identified Mount Emily Wolf-Cougar Project diets across different seasons in 158 prey items used by wolves. Cougar Wolf recolonization in Oregon may northeast Oregon? diet was similar between the pre- and have changed the predation patterns 2) Has the ungulate prey cougars post-wolf time periods. Cougars preyed (composition and characteristics of spe- consume or the space cougars use in predominantly on deer (mule deer cies in cougars’ diets), the distribution, northeast Oregon changed with the and white-tailed deer, 58 percent and or the demography (survival, reproduc- recolonization by wolves? 53 percent of all ungulate kills pre- tion, mortality) of cougars—elements 3) Does the addition of a second top and post-wolf, respectively) and pri- that have important implications for carnivore (the wolf) increase the risk marily killed fawns (53 percent and 44 management of both carnivores and of direct predation on elk or mule percent of all deer kills, pre- and post- the deer and elk populations they prey deer populations? wolf, respectively). When cougar preyed upon. In particular, the situation in To answer these questions, the on elk, they primarily preyed on calves, northeast Oregon provided ideal circum- Mount Emily Wolf-Cougar Project is in similar proportions from pre- (77 per- stances in which to examine competi- using GPS collars to obtain continuous cent) to post-wolf (71 percent) recolo- and accurate location nization. Wolves preyed predominantly data on a sample of on elk (61 percent) and primarily killed wolves and cougars the calf age class of elk in summer (83 in Oregon. Cougars percent and winter (49 percent), but have been monitored used adult elk nearly as often as calves in time periods with in winter (46 percent). and without wolves, What’s next? providing unique, Further analysis is planned to evalu- high quality before- ate potential changes in predation pat- and-after informa- terns (where kills occur), space use and tion which will allow movement, and survival responses of us to identify poten- cougar populations in the presence of tial changes in their wolves. Location data collection from diet, how they move GPS-collared wolves and cougars is through space, and continuing through the end of 2017, how they are dis- with project completion expected by tributed across the the end of 2018. n landscape as a result of competition with Beth Orning is currently a PhD student

Adobe Stock / Kwadrat70 wolves. Results will with the Oregon Cooperative Fish and enhance manage- Wildlife Research Unit at Oregon State ment and conserva- University, where she is studying wolf- tion between apex carnivores, allowing tion decisions on carnivores and prey cougar interactions for her dissertation collaborative researchers from Oregon by providing information on how work under Dr. Katie Dugger. Prior to State University (OSU) and ODFW to expanding wolf populations affect cou- starting her PhD program, she studied evaluate changes in predation patterns gar populations, and how the effects predator-removal effects on greater that might come about from wolf-cougar of this re-established multi-carnivore sage-grouse populations in Wyoming interactions. It also gave us the oppor- system could extend to elk and mule for her Master’s research at Utah State University with Dr. Julie Young. In her tunity to investigate the effects multiple deer populations. Knowledge gained career, she has helped reintroduce carnivores may have on prey popula- from this study could be useful in other Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and tions now that wolves have recolonized states and western Canadian provinces assisted studies of elk calf mortality in an area occupied solely by cougars for that face similar situations as wolves Idaho, burrowing owl reproduction and the last 60 years. continue to expand their range. migratory raptor populations in Colorado The Mount Emily Wolf-Cougar proj- and Idaho, and re-emerging bobcat ect was started in 2014 as a collabora- Preliminary Findings populations in southern Iowa. Beth began tive effort among ODFW, OSU and the We examined wolf and cougar diets her career in carnivore research in 2004, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla before (2009-12) and after (2014-16) working with Drs. Mike Nelson and Indian Reservation. The goal of the proj- wolves recolonized the Mount Emily Dave Mech on the Wolf and Deer ect is to address several questions about Wildlife Management Unit in north- Project in Minnesota. systems where wolves and cougars inter- east Oregon. We identified the remains act, including these: of 1,213 and 541 prey items, used by

10 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org Carol Waller

Wood River Wolf Project Helps Idaho Sheep and Phoebe Bean Phoebe

t is late June in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon, Wolves and a herder and a band of sheep have bedded down for the Inight after a long, hot day. At 2 a.m., the herder is jarred awake; one of his dogs barks in distress. The herder jumps out of his Share the sleeping bag in the sheep wagon, grabs his high-beam spotlight and air horn, and runs toward the noise. He sees his dog and a gray wolf facing off. The dog is barking at the wolf, and then the wolf jumps on the dog. The herder shines the spotlight on the Landscape snarling pair and deploys the air horn. The wolf freezes in terror before it darts away into the night, as fast and as far from that air horn as it can go. By AVERY SHAWLER The wolf got a good scare in that scenario—but that’s much better than being injured or killed by a gunshot. The wolf was given another chance at life—and if it’s smart, it will stay away from those sheep. A few days before this wolf encounter, the herder had partici- pated in a Nonlethal Coexistence Training workshop in the Blue Mountains, where he was given nonlethal tools along with proper training to use the tools effectively. That training, initiated by local sheep ranchers, could not have been better timed. Last winter the ranchers obtained permits to graze sheep in a new allotment of U.S. Forest Service land in the Blue Mountains,

International Wolf Winter 2017 11 Fladry is a string of flags on temporary stakes used to deter wild animals from moving beyond it. Lauren Hennelly Lauren

knowing that it is a place of heavy wolf flocks as early as 2002. In activity. Not wanting to resort to lethal 2007, the wolves of Sun control, a ranch manager called Brian Valley’s famous Phantom Bean at Lava Lake Land & Livestock, a Hill pack began killing ranching operation in Central Idaho, and sheep in significant num- asked about using nonlethal tools. Bean bers along Idaho’s “sheep is one of the founders of the Wood River driveway” that runs from the Snake Wolf Project (WRWP), a collaborative River Plain to the Sawtooth Valley—a promoting the coexistence of livestock situation that would normally result in and wolves by using nonlethal tools and some or all of the pack members being techniques to prevent wolf depredation killed. But Blaine County, Defenders on sheep. of Wildlife, the U.S Forest Service and At Bean’s suggestion, the ranch local sheep operators worked together manager talked with me, in my role as to adopt policies supporting the use of

WRWP coordinator, and with Suzanne nonlethal tools—and the Wood River ShawlerAvery Stone, the Senior Representative for the Wolf Project was born. Northwest Program for Defenders of Since the inception of the WRWP Wildlife. Together, Suzanne and the man- in 2008, no wolves have been lethally ager organized the Nonlethal Coexistence removed in the project area. In recent Training workshop, bringing together years, wolves have been less active than ranchers, sheep herders, and the Oregon they were in the earlier years of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The project. As WRWP project coordinator, WRWP sent Claudio Oriheula, one of I hope this is partially due to the suc- Lava Lake’s seasoned camp-tenders, who cess of the WRWP’s nonlethal tools and has used nonlethal tools for many years, techniques, “teaching” the wolves—and

and Reid Hensen, a Spanish-fluent Lava in turn, their offspring—that sheep in ShawlerAvery Lake intern to translate for workshop that area are not easy prey. participants. Oregon’s newly formed Blue Other deterrents to wolf activity in the remains vigilant and constantly pre- Mountain Wolf Project collaborative is area include heavy recreational use and a pared for increased wolf activity near the following a model created in 2008 by hunting season established in 2011, after sheep. Last year we created and piloted the WRWP in central Idaho to address the wolf was delisted so, conceivably, our Band Kit system: a bag with all predator-livestock conflicts in a new way. increased wolf harvesting in this more the tools sheep herders need to protect accessible area could also have helped their sheep band (band flocks are those Wood River Wolf Project reduce sheep losses. In any event, a com- with large numbers of sheep—often History and Background bination of factors has resulted in fewer 1,000 to 1,500 ewes) from wolves and By the 1930s, gray wolves had been instances of wolf-livestock interaction— other predators. Herders are trained, eliminated from the lower 48 states, a fact borne out by extensive WRWP and thereby empowered, to protect their excepting Minnesota, Wisconsin and monitoring that includes camera-trap sheep from predators without having to Michigan. But in 1974 wolves gained surveys and howl surveys. use lethal means. Herder interviews reveal that they protection under the Endangered Species Band Kits Act, and were reintroduced in the West in especially like using the Foxlights (com- the mid-1990s. Sheep ranchers in Idaho Even though wolf activity has puterized lights that randomly blink began to experience wolf depredation on decreased in the project area, the WRWP to simulate humans on patrol) and

12 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org sheep, increasing human pres- information on our Band Kit and pro- ence—the most effective defense tocols. Instructional videos in English against predators. and Spanish, created with help from Andrew Kane at Backcountry Image, Scientific Backing will appear on our website soon. The How effective are these non- WRWP’s goal is to expand our outreach lethal tools and techniques? In and educational efforts to other commu- February 2017, the interna- nities dealing with livestock predation tionally recognized Journal of issues, addressing not only wolves, but Mammalogy published a study coyotes and bears, and refining tools conducted over the first seven and techniques to address predation years of the WRWP. Results on cattle. showed that sheep losses to wolves in the project area were How Can You Help? 90 percent lower than in the Ranching is part of the cultural land- rest of Idaho. Sheep losses to scape of the West, and an important wolves in areas adjacent to the livelihood for practitioners and commu- project area were 3.5 percent nities. The WRWP collaborative includes U.S. Forest ServiceU.S. higher than within the project conservationists, ranchers, government area where nonlethal tools were agencies and the public in an attempt to used. Further, no wolves were demonstrate that wildlife and livestock lethally controlled in the proj- can co-exist. It is an example of creative ect area, and sheep depreda- problem-solving rather than polarizing tion losses to wolves were just rhetoric—and offers a model that extends 0.02 percent of the total sheep beyond the issue of sheep and wolves. present—the lowest rate among If you want to stay updated on the sheep-grazing areas in Idaho’s Wood River Wolf Project, sign up for our wolf range. newsletter at www.woodriverwolfproject. org. You can also find us on Facebook Outreach Efforts and Instagram. Donations are much It is exciting to be celebrating needed and greatly appreciated. Please year 10 of the Wood River Wolf contact our project coordinator, Greg

Andrew Kane Andrew Project. It’s even more exciting Hill ([email protected]), to see other communities using for more information. n starter pistols. Our field manager, Kris us as an example and a resource for pro- Thoreson, frequently checks in with moting predator-livestock coexistence. Avery Shawler has served as the WRWP’s Project Coordinator for two years and is herders to make sure they have every- The WRWP has given presentations at beginning her Ph.D. program in the thing they need and ask if they’ve noticed several workshops, symposiums and Department of Environmental Science, any predator activity. The herders are the conferences, and members have spo- Policy, and Management at UC Berkeley first line of defense against predators, and ken before the House Committee on this fall, where she will study predator- they really appreciate having these extra Natural Resources. Our website shares livestock conflict in the Greater tools and support from our staff to help Yellowstone Ecosystem. them do their jobs effectively. In times of heightened wolf activity, the WRWP recruits volunteers to camp with the Avery ShawlerAvery

International Wolf Winter 2017 13 Tracking the Pack

Pond-related enrichments during the heat of summer will usually result in wad- ing, swimming and even a head dunk. We use a variety of stimuli to get the wolves to immerse themselves in the 4,000-gal- lon Exhibit Pack pond. We portion out deer legs, beaver tails, beaver feet, bison hides, bacon bits, bone dust or whatever else may be lurking in the carcass freezer into treats that are easily tossed, frozen, into the middle of the pond. The wolves strategize, leaping from rock to rock to be the first to possess one of the floating treasures. Since wolves have evolved to Summer Enrichments Arctic wolf Axel, Exhibit Pack be covered with hair rather than sweat By Lori Schmidt member. glands, this enrichment is bound to cool them on a hot summer day. Apples and Kelly Godfrey oranges floating in the pond can cause the same response—with a quicker delivery uring summer, wolf care staff on peppermint oil suggests that when over the fence. conduct a daily program called applied to the skin, it can cause surface To see the wolves in action, check D“Wolf Enrichment” to provide warmth, which relieves pain beneath the out our YouTube channel for the sum- stimuli to the Exhibit Pack during the skin. Since Aidan is nearing 10 years of mer of 2017 Enrichment video as well as noon hour, when members are typically age, there may be an added health ben- other updates on the International Wolf less active. This program allows wolf efit for the aging pack leader. Center ambassador wolves. n care staff to get a mid-day assessment of the wolves’ conditions related to biting flies, heat and humidity. The guaran- teed presence of the wolves also draws a large crowd at the auditorium windows to watch the behavioral responses to a variety of enrichment activities. Scent-related enrichments will usually result in a scent roll. This type of enrich- ment stimulates the wolves’ tendency to mark and scent-roll on an unfamiliar object. Ethologists interpret this behav- ior as a method of marking a foreign scent within a territory as their own, but ethologists also see it as a method of communicating about a treasured find to their fellow pack members. Some of our scent enrichments included fox urine, mink oil, catnip, peppermint, and lavender oils. The latter two enrichments had a profound effect on Aiden, our dominant pack leader, who, after roll- ing for several minutes, chose to calmly

stretch out and rest in the peppermint Kelly Godfrey oil for over 20 minutes. A little research Exhibit Pack member Boltz

14 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER Member Profile

A Rendezvous with Ann Beyer by David Kline

hen wolf enthusiasts think known to slip in a history of the word “rendezvous,” lesson on wolves, too. Wthey probably picture a wolf If geneticists could iden- pack’s meeting site. But to long-time tify a gene for teachers, Ann International Wolf Center member Ann would probably have it. Her Beyer, it has another definition. parents were teachers and Ann participates in historic reen- she followed in their foot- actments called Rendezvous, in which steps by becoming a mid- she and others gather to celebrate a dle school math teacher. time when there were more wild places. Ann said, “I loved help- Typically she portrays a mid-1700s colo- ing students and watch- nial woman or an early 1800s mountain/ ing that expression, like pioneer woman, using clothing, a tent, a lightbulb popping on, gear and activities that reflect those peri- when they grasped a con- ods. She enjoys the primitive, familial cept.” Middle school stu- nature of the camps, as well as learn- dents were Ann’s favorites ing—and helping others learn—skills because they were starting like blacksmithing, Dutch-oven cooking, to transition to adult think- finger weaving, throwing a tomahawk ing and discovery. At the or shooting a muzzle loader. She’s been district level, she served Heidi Pinkerton / Root River Photography as a coordinator for gifted/ talented education and mathematics. well received at a recent dinner where After 37 years as an educator in Iowa she shared the stories of Carter Niemeyer, and then Michigan, Ann retired in 2008. 2017 Howl at the Moon Gala speaker, She became acquainted with wolves about wolf management and misper- when her son, Avery, worked for Dr. Rolf ceptions in the western United States. Peterson, who directs the wolf-moose As a member of the Center, Ann study on Isle Royale in Michigan. When enjoys the educational offerings at the Avery moved to Ely, Minnesota and interpretive center (especially the ambas- worked as a sled dog guide for Center sador wolves), in the magazine and at board member Paul Schurke, he intro- wolf.org. For Ann, being on the pup care duced his mom to the Center. In short team has been a “…transformative and order, she became a pup care volunteer, thrilling experience.” We’re grateful for and she has worked with all of our cur- the helpful support Ann and members rent ambassador wolves. like her who help us teach the world Ann credits her husband and son for about wolves. n nurturing her love of the outdoors. Today, she supports organizations focused on protecting wildlands and endangered species. Because she views the wolf as a symbol of the wild, she endorses the Center’s educational approach—sharing facts about wolves and turning the light- bulb on for others. This approach was

International Wolf Winter 2017 15 INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER Quarterly Donations

Gifts between July 1 and August 31, 2017

Major Donors $500 - $999 $250 - $499 Stephanie Holeve In honor of Dianne McDonald’s birthday Andrews Family Anonymous Judy Hunter $5,000+ Cody McDonald Foundation Larry Bohling Jennifer Lyle Google Inc. Kenneth Berggren, Jr. Ellen Bokde Edward and In honor of Ann Beyer Linda Morton $1,000 - $4,999 Patrick Boyd Dave Mech’s expertise Breitling Family Fund Octagon Tire Employees Buzz Avery Cindy Carvelli-Yu Liz Garton Scanlon Leslie Brown and and Song Yu Bruce Offord Bob and Louise Coorsen Jim Glad Lorianne and Cynthia Pett Dante In honor of Chris and Holly Cox Michael Cole David Churn and Peter Dante Grace Mitchell Nancy Gibson and Lynn and Bruce Dayton Barbara Cook Lauren Rosolino Ricki and Joseph Mitchell Ron Sternal Mary Kust Patrick and Jenny Crowe Patti Russo Dorothy Kirsch James Le Blanc Harriet Damesek Walter and Mardene In honor of the Virginia Letourneau wedding of Owen Platt Deb and John Lewis Gary and Doreen Schuiling L. David Mech and Doug Taylor Karen Owen Deutsch James Small III Cheryl and John Medlin Rob Schultz and Larry Palmehn Nick Dunnom Mark Sugino Andrew Engelhart Seamus and Joseph Ehrbar Tremco Incorporated Eileen Metress Michele Schaefer Martha Schoonover Edward Helmer In honor of Carolyn Owen Jerry Sanders’ birthday Janet Silvey Mike and Becky Hoeft Honorariums Ann Rasberry Rick Hinchcliffe Ray and Deb Wells Heather Hoff Matthew Scott In honor of all Jennifer Webb International Wolf Center In honor of Lori Schmidt personnel who teach and Lynn and Ken Kaveney care for our wolves Christine Coletta In honor of Nancy Jo Tubbs and the In honor of Pam Churn 100th Anniversary of Camp Van Vac Lorianne and David Churn Rob Schultz and Andrew Engelhart In honor of Lynn Cook’s Birthday In honor of Javier Varisco Barbara Cook Juan Varisco

In honor of Lazaro Yordis Lenuan Espinosa

Denali International Wolf Center

16 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org Memorials In memory of Susan Carver Steven Pope In-Kind Virginia Rabaut Lorianne and Denise Pride Donations In memory of Janet Silvey David Churn Sarah Prusha Kristen Anderson Google Inc. Dennis Cole Jose Quinones Dana Anderson Betty Magnuson In memory of Chris Coletta LeRoy Rutske Anne Robertson Ann Rasberry Chris and Holly Cox In memory of Arizona Anne Archibald Lauren Rosolino Patricia and Christine and Bette Jean Rua Rich D’antoni Matching Gifts Andrew Stott In memory of Robin and Adam Stephen L. Wallack Duncan Davidson Sampson Ameriprise Financial In memory of Breck Alerus Financial Anne Deleage Jerry Sanders on behalf of: Anne and Bud Cox Justin, Michelle, Rich, Judy, Jessica Dietrich Kay Schloff Erik Johnson Owen and Brody Barbeau Marie Doering Barbara Sego Melissa Kotek In memory of Patrick Boyd Todd Duyvejonck Frank Coorsen Linda Shadle Paul Trevizo John and Patricia Case Lindi Engelbrecht Bob and Louise Coorsen Anna Mae Shala Stephen Chase Blue Cross and Blue Lenuan Espinosa Susan and Linda Fox Shield of Minnesota Patrick and Jenny Crowe John Ewing Wayne Shelton on behalf of: Ellen Dehaven Peterson Martin Gadam Catherine Shepard In memory of Dana Green Heather Hoff and “Wolfie” Farley Kaufmann Lina Garcia Robin Sines Corinne Murphy Jeryn Konezny Raul Garcia Janet Sinusas Deutsche Bank Michelle LaRoche Neal and Jessica Mark Sugino on behalf of: In memory of Marcia Marcus Gilbert-Redman Bianca Tancredi Jennifer Buechele Lynda Groce Octagon Tire Employees William Halstead Michael and Karen Tears Carolyn Vance Microsoft on behalf of: Perkins Foundation Jennifer Hart Paul Trevizo on behalf of Dick Perkins Dan Hayes Anonymous In memory of and Chris Dahl Julie and Joseph Vierling Patricia Kettwig Debbie Hinchcliffe Raul Garcia Ellen Dehaven Peterson Steffanie Wiggins Heather McIntosh Karen Hodsdon Susan and Lee Segal Tom Young Kinzie State Farm Insurance Heather Hoff on behalf of: In memory of Ruby King William Thomas Sharon Howard Wolf Guardian Steven Pope Jayna and Raymond Brake Judy Hunter Sponsors Ann Hill-Kramer Sustaining Erik Johnson Kenneth Berggren, Jr. Tremco Incorporated Thomas and Martha Mann Members and on behalf of: Lynn and Ken Kaveney Ann Beyer, Monthly Donors Michael Cole Marsha Shah Melissa and in memory and David Albert and Missy and Vincent Stelzer Christopher Kotek honor of Louise and Leslye Teuber UnitedHealth Group Wanda Kothlow Gordon Stainbrook Anonymous on behalf of: In memory of Matthew Lenz Carol Lent Leslie Brown Taylor Arbour Lorianne Churn Jill Nausid Gail Lutsch Chris Cox Angie and Marilyn Bailey Marie Doering Laurie Morrill Holly Cox In memory of Lisa Palmehn Josh Becker Karen Morton Sue Lenz Larry Palmehn Jaki Becker Lavonne Newman Deb Lewis Rebecca Becker and Peter Jezyk Carolyn Owen In memory of Quincy Jane Bloom Carolyn Owen Karen Owen William Halstead Diane Bradley Lavonne Painter Ray Wells MaryAnn Canning Dana Pond

W e m a k e e v e r y e f f o r t t o e n s u r e t h e a c c u r a c y o f o u r d o n o r l i s t e a c h q u a r t e r. I f w e h a v e o m i t t e d y o u r name in error, please accept our apologies and contact David Kline at (763) 560-7374, ext. 230.Thank You!

International Wolf Winter 2017 17 Ambassador Wolf Behavior nternational Wolf Center visitors often ask our staff what the ambassador wolves might be thinking—especially Iwhen the wolves come up to the windows and peer inside. People assume they may be interested in food or looking for wolf care staff, but in fact, we have no way of knowing exactly what animals think or feel. Some people believe they think or feel the same things humans do, but it’s not that simple. In fact, there is a word for this kind of thinking: anthropomorphization. That big, hard-to-pronounce word means “giving human qualities to something that is not human,” whether it’s an object or an animal such as a wolf. We must remember that wolves are not human, and because of that, we cannot assume they feel the same things we feel. To learn about animal behavior, we watch them over and over again, looking for patterns that might explain what they are trying to do— and why. So, whenever you hear people assign human thoughts or emo- tions to animals, remem- ber that this is not always accurate. We reach con- clusions about animal behavior based only on repeated observations. n Andrew Broz

Above: Axel peeks over the window ledge into our auditorium.

Left: Denali looks at the visitors inside the building. Ambassador wolves are socialized, so they’re comfortable with having humans nearby. Leanne Martin

18 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org Right: Grayson stands alertly, showing us those typical gold eyes. Below: Axel munches on deer ribs.

PUPS! Andrew Broz

Q: Do wolves eat in a certain order, and is the order based on dominance? A: Not really. Dominance is important in wolf packs, but mainly for keeping order among pack members and ensuring that every member cooperates with others while hunting. Wolves take down prey that can outweigh them by 500 to 1,000 pounds or more. One kick by a bison or Q: What is the usual eye a moose can kill a wolf, so pack members need color of wolves? Can to work together work together to take down they be blue? such large prey without getting injured. A: Most wolves have golden- Andrew Broz With large prey, all the pack members might be brownish eyes as adults. Wolf pups able to eat from it simultaneously. With smaller start out with blue eyes, but they prey, the parents take charge and see that the usually do not stay blue. They pups are allowed to eat; the yearlings and any change to gold or turn amber or other sibs are allowed to eat later. Sometimes brown after a few weeks. They can the hungriest wolves may jump on a carcass, also turn to light hazel. as well—and typically, the wolf that happens to be standing directly over a small carcass has the right to defend it or share it.

International Wolf Winter 2017 19 Wolves: Revered, Reviled, Researched, Robotized

By Tracy O’Connell Digital

CANADA from the poison. Under the Wildlife Someone seems to be poison- Act anyone convicted of intentionally ing wolves in East Kootenay in poisoning wolves could face a fine of up British Columbia. The poison was first to $1 million and more than a year in jail. reported in early spring by the owner of a dog that became ill after ingesting JAPAN it, but survived. Since then, 17 packets Proponents of reintroducing of strychnine were found, all in areas wolves in Japan to counter traveled by wolves, in white containers destruction by herbivores have had a believed to have been placed to blend in difficult time gaining public support. with the snow, and only becoming vis- Now a robot has been developed to help Photo illustration based on imagery from 朝日 新 聞 社 A robotic wolf was developed in Japan to ible after the snow melted. The bodies counter the destruction—or at least part scare away wild animals that cause damage of two wolves found in May had died of it. According to The Japan News, a on farms. wolf-like robot to drive away wild ani- mals that cause damage to agriculture wild animals with an infrared ray sen- has been introduced on a trial basis in sor when they approach and intimidates Kisarazu in southwest Chiba Prefecture. them, flashing the red lights of its eyes on Named Super Monster Wolf, and and off, and blaring 18 sounds in rota- almost the same size as an adult wolf, tion, including a wolf’s growl, a human the robot is covered by fur. It detects voice and a gunshot. Developed by a company in Hokkaido to keep bears and deer away, the robot was borrowed by an agricultural cooperative, and reportedly there has been no sign of wild animals or birds nearby since it was installed in July. The company that developed the prototype plans to manufacture more models as they are ordered and sell them for ¥200,000 (nearly $2,000 US). Mark Weber

20 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org DENMARK The return of wolves to Denmark has been met with a flurry of predictable, conflicting responses. Queries about how many wolves lived in the country have arisen since the first wolf of recent times was documented five years ago. There have been reports of as many as 40 at various times and places, but typically, there is agreement on four males and one female in separate sightings. While numbers are still sketchy, videos confirm a mated pair in Jutland, the area where Denmark’s first wolf in 200 years was seen in 2012. It is believed the female, named GW675f, likely came to the area from Schleswig- Holstein, in northern Germany, in the summer of 2016, traveling more than 300 miles (500 km) to her new home in Denmark. The history of her mate is not yet known, as suitable DNA mate- rial has not been found. Researchers, while debating if there are pups from this pairing this year or not, contend that Denmark is a wolf paradise, with ample deer and suit- able environment for them to settle in. Meanwhile, video shot in West Jutland shows what appears to be a family of wolves with up to eight pups, prompt- ing the head of the Danish Agricultural and Food Council to call for the coun- try’s 2014 wolf management plan to be updated to allow wolf hunting. The plan allows compensation to farmers who lose domestic animals to wolf attacks, and incentives to install wolf-proof fenc- ing. However, wolf opponents say more than two dozen sheep have already been attacked, and 21 of them killed, in the five years since wolves returned. Danish farmers were paid a total of 50,200 Danish kroner ($7,200 U.S.) in com- pensation for animals lost to wolves between 2013 and 2016.

Adobe Stock / Ksumano INDIA There has been no evidence of other endangered species. Discounting submitted to the forestry department. wolves in an area designated the concern that a buffer zone is needed The airport will encompass an area of for a major new airport, according to to protect wolves and other wildlife, 2,376 hectares (nearly 6,000 acres) and the development company involved. an airport spokesperson told the Times serve Pune, in the wealthy, populous, Environmentalists were concerned that of India that such measures are not western state of Maharashtra, the capi- the airport siting would adversely affect required. At least one wildlife enthusi- tal of which is Mumbai. Indian wolves in the area (see Wolves of ast is not convinced, saying three reports the World, IW, Spring 2017) along with showing the presence of wolves had been

International Wolf Winter 2017 21 FRANCE herds brought their flocks to Paris to ologist Leonardo Lopez, “These are, In July, the French government protest their predicament, and is part without a doubt, the largest and most gave the go-ahead to cull up to of an ongoing struggle to balance the refined pieces of gold discovered so far,” 40 wolves in mountain areas, mostly in European Union’s effort to protect wolves comparing them to more than 200 items the southeast, where they allegedly have with the needs of local agriculturalists discovered over 40 years of excavations killed about 8,000 farm animals, mostly to preserve livestock. around the site. sheep, over the past year. Forty wolves It is believed it represented amount to 10 percent of the country’s MEXICO Huitzilopochtli, the Aztec war god and solar deity. Wolves were said to help total population, which ranges across A wolf sacrificed 500 years ago 30 of the nation’s 100 departments, as guide fallen warriors across a danger- and adorned with fine Aztec ous river in the netherworld. units of local government are called. gold has been found buried in the heart The action came after French shep- The wolf sacrifice and burial were of Mexico City. According to lead archae- conducted during the brutal 1486 to 1502 reign of King Ahuitzotl, the most feared and powerful ruler of the Mexica, as the Aztec called themselves, who extended the empire to present-day Guatemala. Lopez believes the wolf’s heart was torn out as part of the sacrifice, just as captured warriors were ritually killed in Aztec temples.

NEPAL Efforts to determine if the Himalayan wolf is a different species than the gray wolf were said to have advanced with a paper published in June that claims the Himalayan wolf deserves recognition as C. lupus hima- layensis, establishing it as a subspecies while its recognition as a fully separate species is determined. Co-authors David Macdonald and Claudio Sillero, who between them have chaired the International Union for the Conservation of Nature/Species Survival Commission Canid Specialist Group since its inception 30 years ago, credit their doctoral student Geraldine Werhahn with the task of “mastering the molecules” that they feel will prove that the wolves roaming Central Asia and the Himalayas are distinct from the gray wolf. n

Tracy O’Connell is professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls in marketing communications and serves on the Center’s communications and magazine committees. Adobe Stock / Vincent Kessler_REUTERS

22 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org they took off to the east, making their Mollies in the Moonlight way along the bank of the river— noth- ing too serious, with lots of play. There By Laurie Lyman was a lone howler west of them; it was a missing gray, somehow separated from its s an elementary school teacher, I Every day there is something new to family. It howled and howled this pitiful, began studying wolves through see and learn. I never know from day to mournful howl. The group howled back A the books and films of Dave day what I will find as I make my way a few times but was not intent on going Mech and Jim Dutcher more than 20 through the darkness to reach the park back or attending to one wolf lagging years ago, and I’ve been watching the at first light. behind. After the Mollies had gone quite wolves in Yellowstone National Park, I write a daily, online journal for a way to the east, it finally abandoned documenting their travels and behavior Yellowstone Reports to share the wolves’ its howling and sprinted for the group. ever since. I followed their reintroduc- stories with everyone. The following is a We did not see any aggression when it tion to Yellowstone, never thinking I journal entry I made January 22, 2016. arrived to rejoin the pack. would ever see wolves in the wild. But My entry exemplifies the true magic of After a trip down to the river where it I took classes and purchased a spotting Yellowstone and its wolves. curves sharply at the end of the cotton- scope, and soon I was hooked. I decided woods, the pack re-emerged and bedded that my heart was in Yellowstone and Lamar Valley in the Northern on the river bank east of the Chalcedony retired early to move near the park so I Tier of Yellowstone Fan that stretches to the Lamar Valley could watch the wolves. We found the Mollie’s Pack early this floor. The wolves remained there until Wolves wake me from sleep while it morning in the Old Druid Rendezvous, about 5:45 in the evening. is still dark every morning of the year. howling to beat the band. Soon after, The Lamars were not seen by any- one today, though many people looked for them. They were in the trees south- east of the Soda Butte Cone, one of Yellowstone’s many active thermals in the Soda Butte Valley adjacent to the Vision Hawk Films Doug McLaughlin

International Wolf Winter 2017 23 Lamar Valley. It was not until evening By 6:30 I was there alone. All the Lamars returned the howl and seemed that we heard from them. stars had lined up for me. There was a further away again. The Mollies kept Around 4 p.m., someone spotted a full moon, and I have a great scope that coming. It was like watching them in the carcass on a distant slope with rolling lets me see in very low light. The clouds daylight. They came to the edge of the hills. Most clearly visible were the ant- had parted, so the moon was lighting Middle Flats and dropped down to the lers of a good-sized bull elk. up the whole valley. I had the warmth Soda Butte Creek Flats, which brought Often as the day comes to an end, the of my car and a window mount for my them even closer to me. They were scent puzzle pieces fall into place. The Lamars scope. Perfect! trailing, and I am thinking they were on had made a kill; perhaps they heard the I watched as the Mollie’s Pack came trail left behind by the Lamars during Mollie’s Pack howling and headed for the toward me. They were soon on the open their elk hunt. It was steep, and many hinterlands. We also saw golden eagles Middle Flats. As they traveled along the of the Mollies had to take a leap of faith eating on a coyote carcass on the flats creek bank, I could hear them muttering into the powdery snow, with some of close to where the Mollies had been this in squeaks and muffled growls as they them just holding on and sliding down. morning. The coyote must have gotten shuffled through the crusted snow. They (As with all wolf packs, there are a few just a little too close to the pack. let loose another robust howl, much laggards who exhibit extra caution.) Around 5:45 p.m., everyone else had closer, which startled me at first. The Around 8 p.m., the wolves rallied departed for the day. Only one couple and I remained. The Mollies had begun to stir and there was a big group howl. This time, the Lamars howled back from where we had been looking, but deep in the trees. The Mollies howled a few times, and then the pack headed east. I was glad that the Lamars appeared to be in a safe place. It was getting darker and darker. The full moon was obscured by some thin clouds but I could still see the wolves. Photo courtesy of Laurie Lyman Doug McLaughlin

24 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org together with wagging tails and had They went up the hill again, most As an elementary teacher, Laurie Lyman another resounding group howl. It filled likely in the footsteps of the Lamars. began to study wolves through books the car—just unbelievable. I hadn’t had One gray hesitated; it knew the way to and films by Dave Mech and Jim Dutcher. a group howl that close, ever. I felt it go to the carcass, but did not follow its Following the reintroduction of wolves bring me right out of my seat. senses, and returned to the others as to Yellowstone, she decided her heart was there and retired early to watch The Lamars did howl again, ever so they disappeared into the trees. Luckily, the wolves. She writes a daily report faintly, to this pack that greatly outnum- they were in scattered trees, so I could for the online Yellowstone Reports. bered them. The next thing I knew, the see the pack sniffing and sniffing. Now This article is based on a journal Mollies had their tails up and began to they were just above the carcass, and entry from January 22, 2016. run. I thought for sure that they had finally got the scent and turned down- smelled that carcass. Up they went, onto hill. They went into a stalk position as the slope—in the totally wrong direction. they approached the carcass. (Can’t be I lost them for a few minutes while they too careful; you never know who could might have changed directions. Then I be there!) The youngsters bolted as many located the carcass and waited a bit to of the adults watched. see if they would come out near it. By this time it was 9 p.m. and getting Sure enough, there they came. This very cold. I watched them for a while was it. They found the car- longer. They were all at the carcass when cass, and I was celebrating I left. I hope they will be there tomorrow. in the car. I will never forget and always trea- Oops—they went right sure this special moment I spent with under it and passed it. How the Mollie’s Pack in the Yellowstone could they miss it, with moonlight. n their noses? Photo courtesy of Laurie Lyman Laurie Lyman poses with the 2013 “Who Speaks For Wolf“ award presented to her by the International Wolf Center. Gregg Zimmerman

International Wolf Winter 2017 25 tected everywhere in their original range What Will Happen When or just to be managed for sustainability Wolves Show Up? where they are minimally in conflict with human needs, those who want By Nancy jo Tubbs to hunt and trap wolves for sport, and some who would like wolves to be extir- pated, period. r. L. David Mech asked in the title flict with humans, and the potential for Ideally those dialogues would be of his 2017 paper in the journal their expansion into new areas. It con- influenced by the scientific findings of DBiological Conservation, “Where cludes that wolf conservation will best 50 years of research, and the paper lays can wolves live and how can we live be accomplished by each responsible out those pertinent facts as they are cur- with them?” It’s a pithy, key question, political entity adaptively prescribing rently understood. the answers to which will determine the different management strategies for dif- For example, wolf numbers in a future of wolves in places dominated by ferent zones within its purview. Some region are mostly driven by the food human populations. zones for some periods can support total supply. After prey density, human inter- The piece is an 11-point primer on protection, whereas in others, wolf num- vention or lack thereof is the next critical “the recovery of wolves, their benefits bers will have to be reduced to various factor in wolf survival, with rare inter- and values, the ways in which they con- degrees or removed.” ference by rabies or canine parvovirus. That excerpt from the abstract A small population can be wiped out by will lure a curious reader into the hunting, trapping, poaching and live- extensively footnoted paper that stock-depredation control, but a strong, In the U.S., as in lays out the case for the compro- widespread population can survive even mises necessary among humans that impact. It took poison to wipe out Europe, dialogues about to continue to allow wolves on wolves across most of the contiguous the landscape. The paper is also 48 United States by 1960. management strategies peppered with specifics that illus- On the other hand, people are rarely trate the challenges wolves face at risk from wolves. An increase in wolf include those who want in the United States and Europe. populations has resulted in more attacks “In France, for example, shep- wolves to be recovered herds were so irate over wolf dep- and protected ...or redations that a group of about 50 shepherds kidnapped both the just to be managed president of the National Park of Vanoise in the French Alps and for sustainability... the director, demanding that five wolves in the middle of the park those who want to hunt be killed. Sweden, with about 400 wolves, has established a wolf and trap wolves for hunting season in violation of European Union Law. Switzerland sport, and some who recently spent $44,000 to kill a would like wolves to be single wolf.” In the U.S., as in Europe, dia- extirpated, period. logues about management strat- egies include those who want wolves to be recovered and pro-

26 Winter 2017 www.wolf.org on humans by healthy, non-rabid wolves Romania, although with no reported determine conservation policies and than in the past, although, as Mech says, conflicts. In 2016, wolves attacked a management strategies for handling wolf “they are nowhere near as prevalent as mare and her foal in Katzrin, Israel, numbers and distribution, minimizing some thought they would be. Still wolves the capital of the Golan Heights, and conflict with people. have chased bicyclists and motorcyclists, earlier rabid wolves attacked children “What can we all do to promote and in several areas, people have fed in Katzrin. Similarly, in North America, human tolerance?” may be the next key wolves, habituating them and ultimately wolves are becoming more habituated to question. Two strategies that Mech says promoting attacks. Even close encoun- humans. A pack of five recently killed have had somewhat discouraging results ters foster the widespread and exagger- a deer in the middle of Banff, Alberta, are objective education about wolves and ated perception that wolves are far more Canada (population 9,300) and dragged exploring non-lethal means of reducing dangerous to humans than they are.” it down Cougar Street. In Wisconsin, a wolf depredation on livestock. Wolves tend to be afraid of humans pack regularly headquartered along and He concludes with the reality that no and avoid them, evidenced by the fact on a state highway, and a wolf jumped magic formula or perfect solution exists that in Canada, with 50,000 to 60,000 into the back of a truck that had stopped for humans and wolves living in proxim- wolves, only one person has been killed to watch them.” ity to one another. Instead, the answer by wolves in the last 50 years. Laws in the U.S and European to the key questions in this arena will In response to “where can wolves Union allow wolves to move into new require finding and instituting “more or live?” the answer is not likely to include areas, with a major difference being less acceptable and often controversial suburban or urban areas. Even places that the states, unlike Europe, have compromises.” n like Los Angeles that somewhat toler- more extensive wildlands where wolves ate coyotes are unlikely to accept the could become established. As court rul- Nancy jo Tubbs chairs the Center’s board presence of a wolf pack. But as wolf ings continue to sustain or change wolf of directors and owns Camp Van Vac, populations increase and some indi- protections and states’ prerogatives to a summer resort near Ely, Minnesota. viduals disperse they are more likely to manage wolves, Mech’s conclusion is approach such areas. that local culture and politics should Mech reports, “Wolves now live within a few km of Rome and have walked through the city streets in Adobe Stock / Karlumbriaco

International Wolf Winter 2017 27 American Wolf: A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West

Book review by Debra Mitts-Smith

n American Wolf, Nate Blakesee begins see them as dangerous to his tale where the story of Wolf 06, their livestock. All of them Ione of Yellowstone’s most famous consider wolves to be threats wolves, ends—with a hunter raising to their way of life. his rifle, sighting his scope and choos- Blakesee intertwines the ing between O-Six (as the author calls story of O-Six with those of her) and her mate, Wolf 755. Yellowstone Park Ranger Nicknamed for the year in which Rick MacIntyre and Steve she was born, O-Six is a descendant Turnbull (a pseudonym), of two of the first wolves reintroduced the hunter who legally kills to Yellowstone, Wolf 10M and Wolf O-Six outside Yellowstone. 9F, members of the Druid Peak Pack. Through the use of alternat- Drawing on notes and interviews ing perspectives, Blakesee from Yellowstone Park naturalist Rick crafts a compelling narrative MacIntyre and wolf watcher Laurie that allows him to explore in Lyman, Blakesee describes O-Six as she a profound and intimate way surmounts the critical challenges that the cultural, political, social wolves in the wild face, from finding a and economic factors that mate to hunting elk, leading her pack, keep the presence of wolves defending territory and raising pups. in the West controversial. When O-Six and her mate succeed For those who have in claiming the Lamar Valley, her notori- fondly followed and ety and popularity spread, causing wolf admired O-Six, Blakesee’s watchers and Yellowstone visitors to work serves not only as a moving tribute American Wolf: A True Story of flock there to watch her and her pack. but also an explanation of the circum- Survival and Obsession in the West But not everyone is enamored with O-Six stances and human fears that precipi- and what she represents—the return of tated her death. For others who did not Publisher: Crown the wolves to Yellowstone and the West. know of O-Six, or who are trying to 320 pages Guides, and subsistence hunters who comprehend the anti-wolf sentiments depend on elk meat to survive, view of the West, this book is an excellent wolves as competitors, while ranchers introduction to the range of emotions that wolves engender still, more than 20 years after their reintroduction to Yellowstone. n

Debra Mitts-Smith is a School of Information Sciences faculty member at the University of Illinois. Her research and teaching focus on visual culture and children’s literature, history of the book and storytelling. Her book, Picturing the Wolf in Children’s Literature, was published by Routledge in 2010.

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