State Management Plans, a Primer, page 4 Should Wolves be Delisted from the Endangered Species List ? page 6 Werewolves Loom Large in History and Fiction, page 11 The Quarterly Publication of the International Wolf Center Volume 21, No. 2 summer 2011 Features Departments State Management Plans, 3 From the 4 a Primer Executive Director Developing a solid understanding of management terminology and the current status of the numerous wolf populations in the 15 Tracking the Pack contiguous United States can help increase the effectiveness of what are sometimes contentious conversations. 17 Wolves of the World

Jess Edberg 21 Book Review

Should Wolves be Delisted from 22 Personal Encounter ogers/wwww.bearstudy.org R 6 the Endangered Species List? Removing wolves from the federal Endangered Species 24 A Look Beyond List (“delisting”) remains controversial. In this feature, two

ynn and Donna experts explore different sides—the pro and the con— L of this growing controversy. On the Cover Pro: Carter Niemeyer Photo by Tom Tietz/iStockPhoto.com. Con: Collette Adkins Giese Werewolves Loom Large in 11 History and Fiction Did you know... From the earliest times to the present day, werewolves have stirred one easy way for you to help us conserve a fascination that transcends time. Today this fascination occurs natural resources is to make in various pop culture genres such as horror, science fiction, sure we have your email address. paranormal and even romance. Simply email your address to: [email protected] Tracy O’Connell timpson S d and Tina d and Tina E Congress Delists Wolves in Montana and Idaho and Cuts Depredation-Control Funding everal years after Northern Rocky Mountain (NRM) wolf populations had reached full biological recovery (300), Congress is removing those Publications Director in Idaho and Montana from the federal Endangered Species List. Several Mary Ortiz S legal technicalities had kept NRM wolves, whose populations had reached at Magazine Coordinator least 1,700, on the list. This fact caused a major public backlash that resulted Tom Myrick in Congressional action. Graphics Coordinator Congress has also cut the funds for the U.S. Department Carissa L. Winter of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program that Consulting Editor for over 30 years has helped reduce public Fran Howard animosity toward wolves. The wolf- Technical Editor depredation-control program helped L. David Mech Minnesota farmers and ranchers Graphic Designer deal with wolf depredations Tricia Austin on livestock and pets by controlling the wolves International Wolf (1089-683X) is published involved. n quarterly and copyrighted, 2011, by the International Wolf Center, 3410 Winnetka Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55427, USA. email: [email protected]. All rights reserved. abcock B Publications agreement no. 1536338 saac I Membership in the International Wolf Center includes a subscription to International Wolf magazine, free admission to the Center, and Watch discounts on programs and merchandise. • Lone Wolf memberships are U.S. $35 • Wolf Pack $60 • Wolf Associate $125 • Wolf Sponsor $500 • Alpha Wolf $1,000. Canada and other countries, add U.S. $15 per year for airmail postage, $7 for surface postage. Contact the International Wolf Center, in Yellowstone National Park 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA; email: [email protected]; phone: 800-ELY-WOLF International Wolf is a forum for airing facts, ideas and attitudes about wolf-related issues. Articles Sexton: and materials printed in International Wolf do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the Output from pdf provided International Wolf Center or its board of directors. “TheWildSide_Ad_6-10.pdf” International Wolf welcomes submissions of personal adventures with wolves and wolf pho­to­graphs. Prior to submission of other Photo: Dan & Cindy Hartman types of manu­scripts, address queries to Small Groups Led by Local Wildlife Biologists Tom Myrick, magazine coordinator. PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or obvious from the caption or article text, photos are of www.wolftracker.com captive wolves. (406) 223-2152 International Wolf is printed entirely with soy ink on FSC certified paper. Naturalist’s reports on wolves and wildlife (subscription) We encourage FSC logo here you to recycle www.YellowstoneReports.com this magazine.

2 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org INTERNATIONAL From the Executive Director WOLF CENTER

Board of Directors Nancy jo Tubbs Chair s many of you know, the International Wolf Center celebrated Dr. L. David Mech its 25th anniversary in 2010. Guided by the founding vision Vice Chair of renowned wolf expert Dr. L. David Mech and many dedi- Cree Bradley cated staff, board and volunteers, the Center has grown Secretary Ato become a leading advocate for teaching the world about wolves. Paul B. Anderson Today the International Wolf Center serves thousands of visitors through Treasurer its ambassador wolves, exhibits, distance learning and other education and outreach programs. Dr. Larry Anderson Quality programming such as this is possible thanks to the generosity Debbie Hinchcliffe of our members. In honor of those who have supported the Center from Nancy Gibson Mary Ortiz the start through their financial contributions and commitment to the Hélène Grimaud Center’s mission, we are proud to recognize the following individuals for their member- Cornelia “Neil” Hutt ship support of the International Wolf Center for 20 or more years: Linda Lemke John Arrington Jr. David Feldhausen Don & Marlyce Lee Sandra Randol Dr. Rolf O. Peterson Claude Marie Barbour Mary Fisher Bernice C. Maertz Renee Reid Mike Phillips Robert Bell Monica Frytak Dennis Markuson Barre Sakol Debbie Reynolds Jerry Sanders Norman Bishop Valerie Gates Douglas Mayo Diane Sands Paul Schurke Mary Breslin Emilie & Libby McLaren Stephen & Ted Spaulding Joseph Gelwicks Cynthia Snyder Marian Brock Tim McMannis Deb Wells Burton Gerber John Burton Nadia Mead Dolores Stephenson Ray Wells Nancy Gibson & Bob Calander & Dave Mech Paul Styrvoky Teri Williams Ron Sternal Janet Calander Thomas Meier Anthony & Frank Goss Executive Director Barbara Chance Kathy Terrulli Peggy Meisch & Rosalie Graves Mary Ortiz Thomas & Jack Anderson Cliff Timbrook Susan Christiansen Paul Gregory Mission Charles Messner Jr. Frances Tsolinas The International Wolf Bob Coughlin Julia & Parker Hall John Tyler Sharon Moats Center advances the survival Brad Coulthart Nancy Hanson Angeli Modjeski Mars Van Liefde of wolf populations by Joan Cunningham, Ph.D. Richard Harvey teaching about wolves, their Lumir Nezerka William Webster relationship to wildlands and the Theresa & Steve Dahl Susan Hays human role in their future. Rosalie Parranto Marcella Wells Michael Daly Betty Hein Rosemary Pearson Don Wendel Educational services and Gerald Dastych Fran Heinselman informational resources Mary Pesec Jean M. West are available at: Mary Lee Dayton John Hopkins Mike Phillips Phil Wixsten 1396 Highway 169 Ralph Di Gaetano Harold Houghton Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA Elli Radinger Vicki Zierden 800-ELY-WOLF Mary Dietz Phyllis Kahn 218-365-4695 Patricia Drake Carol Keehn email address: [email protected] Bob Duerr Dorie Klein Web site: http://www.wolf.org William Egan Harold Kreitz

International Wolf Summer 2011 3 S tate Management Plans a Primer

Understanding management uman societies make rules that maintain structure and order, similar to wolves living in a pack. However, the terms makes effective Hresources wolves need for survival are very simple: tolerance from humans and food. Human needs and wants communication possible are much more complicated and require more structure. Understanding wolf management is an important step in being an active participant in the wolf management dialogue. Certainly, not all humans will see eye to eye when it comes to wolf management. Developing a solid understanding of management terminology and the current status of the numerous wolf populations in the contiguous United States, however, will help increase the effectiveness of what are by Jess Edberg sometimes contentious conversations. Productive communi- cation takes great effort, but it is possible. Below is some infor- information services director, mation to help you become a better-informed participant in International Wolf Center wolf management discussions.

T he chart below is a general overview of specific wolf state management plans for when wolves are delisted. For further details or clarifications, please review an individual state’s full plan.

DPS Western Great Lakes

State MN WI MI

Monitoring Department of Department of Natural Department of agency Natural Resources Resources Natural Resources and Environment

State Species of special Varies depending on wolf Protected classification concern numbers: endangered, threat- ened, non-game protected, non-game or furbearer

Minimum number 1,600 wolves 350 wolves 200 wolves of wolves/packs (outside reservations)

Livestock loss com- Yes Yes Yes pensation program

Public harvest No No No

Will a regulated Possibly, five years Possibly, through a public Possibly, through a riem B public harvest after delisting with process public process

wen v be an option? public input A

4 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Commonly used terms: Endangered Species Act (ESA) of Reclassify: To alter the status of a Recovered species: A species that 1973: The ESA protects animal and species listed on the endangered no longer requires protection under plant species from extinction by species list from threatened to endan- the ESA. preserving the ecosystems in which gered or vice versa. Distinct population segment (DPS): they survive and by providing pro- Delist: To take a species off the endan- A vertebrate population or group of grams for their conservation. It is gered species list and transfer manage- populations that is discrete from other administered by two agencies: the ment to a state or tribal agency. populations of the species and signi- National Marine Fisheries Service, ficant in relation to the entire species. Relist: To add a species back onto the which designates marine fish and The ESA provides for listing species, federal endangered species list after it certain marine mammals, and the subspecies or distinct population seg- has been taken off or delisted. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which ments of vertebrate species. For wolves, has jurisdiction over all other endan- Endangered: The status of a species the Western Great Lakes and the gered wildlife. The goal of the ESA is on the endangered species list that is Northern Rockies are established as the recovery of listed species to levels considered seriously threatened with distinct population segments. where protection under the Act is no extinction throughout all or a signi- Pack: Two or more wolves traveling longer necessary. ficant portion of its range within the together. Endangered species list (ESL): The United States. Take: An act that kills or injures a federal list of threatened and endan- Threatened: The status of a species species. gered wildlife and plants. on the endangered species list that is Species: Any group of animals or likely to become an endangered species Public Harvest: A regulated season plants classified as a species or sub- within the foreseeable future through- where people may purchase a license species as commonly accepted by the out a significant portion of its range or permit to kill a wolf through hunting scientific community. within the United States without or trapping. n federal management or removal of List: To add a species to the federal threats. endangered species list. b links We to access state management plans

Minnesota: http://www.dnr.state. mn.us/mammals/wolves/mgmt.html

Northern Rocky Mountains Wisconsin: http://dnr.wi.gov/ org/land/er/publications/wolfplan/ MT ID WY Eastern OR WA* toc.htm Fish, Wildlife Fish and Game Game and Fish Department of Department and Parks Department Department Fish and Wildlife of Fish and Michigan: http://www.michigan. Department Wildlife gov/dnr/0,1607, 7-153-10370_ 12145_12205-32569--,00.html Species in need Varies depending Varies depending on Protected Protected of management on region: big region: trophy game Montana: http://fwp.mt.gov/ game, furbearer animal or predator wildthings/management/wolf/ and/or predator management.html

15 packs 15 packs 15 packs 7 packs for 3 N/A Idaho: http://fishandgame.idaho. consecutive years gov/cms/wildlife/wolves/manage/

In development Yes Yes with geographic In development Yes Wyoming: http://gf.state.wy.us/ restrictions services/education/wolves/index.asp

Limited harvest Limited harvest Limited harvest No No Oregon: http://www.dfw.state. season season season in some or.us/Wolves/management_plan.asp areas, year-round harvest elsewhere Washington: http://wdfw.wa. gov/conservation/gray_wolf/mgmt_ Possibly, through Possibly, plan.html a public process through a public process *Washington is currently in the draft process with a final plan available in December 2011. International Wolf Summer 2011 5 Delisting

Removing wolves from the federal Endangered Species List (“delisting”) remains controversial, so International Wolf presents articles exploring both the pro and con sides of the controversy. Collette Adkins Giese’s article against alisbury S One thing is clear, the controversy delisting deals primarily to “delist” is not merely a scientific

Wendy Wendy question, but a social one as well. with Upper Midwest wolves, and Carter Niemeyer’s article for delisting covers primarily Northern Rocky Mountain wolves. However, the issues included with both popula- tions are basically the same.

6 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org The Argument Against Delisting Wolves It’s Too Early to Abandon

Wolf Recovery The Argument for Delisting by Collette Adkins Giese The Dilemma Editor’s note: Regarding the $150 per wolf payment, this is not a bounty in the usual objectionable sense. The objectionable aspect of Delisting of a bounty system is that payments are made for any wolf taken by anyone over a large area, i.e. several counties or a state. In the Minnesota plan, the $150 would only be paid to a specific certified by Carter Niemeyer controller who took a wolf within one mile of a depredation. ake a look at any wolf blog these days, and you feel fortunate to live in Minnesota where we’ve always will quickly discover that the concept of had wolves in our woods. Minnesota wolves survived Tremoving wolves from federal protection under Ithe bounties and federal extermination program that the Endangered Species Act (ESA)—delisting—based wiped out wolves across the rest of the country by the solely on the merits of science, long ago snapped its 1960s. So in Minnesota these top predators have been tether and drifted far into uncharted space. allowed to play their vital, time-tested role in regulating One could argue that Northern Rockies wolf prey species like deer, providing food for other wildlife recovery, for all the countless scientific documents and driving essential evolutionary processes. produced, analysis of data and thousands of hours With protection under the Endangered Species Act, of meetings, was never really about hard science. wolves have grown in numbers and dispersed from At heart it’s been a social issue. It was about what Minnesota into northern Wisconsin and from there into Americans wanted, and the majority of them said they the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And last spring for the wanted the wolf returned to a sliver of its historical first time in decades, wolves raised pups in the northern home in the West. So that’s what happened. Now it is Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Such progress shows that time to pack it up and delist, right? the Endangered Species Act works, but its important Yet every year since 2002 when the U.S. Fish and protections should not be lifted before full recovery of Wildlife Service (USFWS) first declared the Northern the wolf is achieved. Rockies’ distinct population segment of wolves recov- The latest science on wolves of Minnesota, Wisconsin ered and ready for delisting, there’s been a hang up. and Michigan shows that significant threats remain. To First, and possibly most significantly, Wyoming begin, scientists have found that gray wolves are suffering refused to do what the feds required by flatly refusing from widespread hybridization. Some thought that to draw up a reasonable state management plan. It was wolves mixed with coyotes, which invaded the area after the first in a series of “up yours” messages directed at continued on page 8 the feds, the frequency of which has skyrocketed over the years until being anti-fed is almost as popular as the hula hoop once was. It took a couple of years, but the states of Montana and Idaho followed suit in their own ways. Even the USFWS made a few major procedural mistakes trying to get wolves off the list as quickly as it could. Now instead of following proce- dures that were carefully crafted under the landmark ESA, Congress has made one attempt after another to delist wolves legislatively. Certain members of Congress have gobbled up the hype that the hostile, anti-wolf bunch doles out, and to quiet the unruly continued on page 9

International Wolf Summer 2011 7 Facts at a Glance The Argument Against Delisting Wolves Endangered Species Act (1973): Federal law designed to prevent extinction of imperiled the wolf population was decimated. But now scientists believe that plants and animals and to recover and maintain most observed hybridization is between two different wolf species: gray wolf and eastern wolf. Scientists have suggested that human those species by eliminating or lessening activities—land clearing and predator control programs —may survival threats including habitat loss. have facilitated this hybridization. Presence of hybrids could mean Recovery Plan: Outlines goals (numerical and that population numbers of actual gray wolves have not met distributional criteria), tasks, costs and esti- recovery goals. Delisting is premature until scientists resolve these critical issues. mated timeline to increase the numbers and Disease also threatens the wolf population. Scientists have improve the management of an endangered documented the harmful impacts of disease on wolves in the Great species to the point where it can be removed Lakes region. For example, Dr. L. David Mech, a renowned wolf from the endangered species list. Recovery biologist affiliated with the International Wolf Center, found that plans are subjected to public comment before canine parvovirus previously killed between 40 percent and approval by the federal government. 60 percent of wolf pups in Minnesota and may have restricted recolonization of unoccupied habitats. And sarcoptic mange is Delisting: A formal rulemaking process slowing recovery in Michigan and Wisconsin, although both requiring a delisting proposal published in the populations still manage to increase annually. Scientists warn that Federal Register followed by a public comment climate change could increase the threat of wildlife diseases by period. In determining whether to make a altering seasonal weather patterns. change in a species’ recovery status, a review The risks from disease and other threats would be made worse is conducted of the public information received, by state wildlife agencies that have made it clear that should federal the criteria in the recovery plan and the five protection for wolves be eliminated, they would drastically listing factors identified in the Endangered reduce wolf populations. For example, Minnesota’s plan resurrects Species Act. Factors considered before a version of the old bounty system by paying state-certified removing a species from the endangered predator controllers $150 for each wolf killed. And the Wisconsin species list include: 1) control or elimination of plan seeks to reduce the state population by half to reach a target goal of 350 wolves. survival threats, 2) population size and growth The recovery of the gray wolf on a larger scale is also far and 3) stability of habitat quality and quantity. from complete. Wolves occupy a paltry 5 percent of their histor- ical range in the lower 48 states. There are still vast swaths of viable but unoccupied wolf habitat across the country, including within the Pacific Northwest and California, the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, the southern Rocky Mountains, the Southwest and the forests of New England and upstate New York. Despite limited success, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has tried three times to reduce or remove Endangered Species Act protections for wolves in the Great Lakes region. Each attempt was rightly rebuffed by the courts. But now, in response to petitions from Minnesota and Wisconsin wildlife managers, the agency is again considering taking Great Lakes continued on page 10

Canine parvovirus previously killed between 40 percent and 60 percent riem

B of wolf pups in Minnesota and may

wen have restricted recolonization of A unoccupied habitats.

8 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org jostrom S

The Argument for Delisting Galen crowd, legislators want to hang the wolf. Science, reason and Gray Wolf Recovery in moderation are nowhere to be found. the Contiguous 48 States It is likely that delayed delisting is the main reason behind much of the hostility. I am not alone in thinking that wolves no longer n U.S. Constitution mandates that need federal protection. They are prolific and resilient, and nothing resident wildlife be managed by short of a catastrophe could harm them. But is letting politicians each state. get their hands on such issues the way we’re going to do things now? If that’s the case, why did we go to all the trouble to do what n Exceptions are wildlife covered we did? What happened to touting wolf recovery as the greatest by federal legislation such as the accomplishment ever under the greatest environmental law on Endangered Species Act (ESA). Earth? As a member of the reintroduction team, I am tired just thinking that all of it might have been for nothing. And while n Wolves listed as endangered in we are at it, why not just do away with the ESA altogether? Self- 1967 and protected in 1974 under appointed experts have called for this for some time. If the public the ESA of 1973. allows legislative delisting of wolves to occur because of bullying by wild-eyed doomsayers, then I suppose America has spoken. But n Wolf recovery teams comprised of the ESA is a thoughtful and complex law created to avoid the very wolf experts and wolf habitat agency thing that Congress is attempting to do: make an end run around representatives developed recovery those species that cause the most grief, and in the process defang a plans for Northern Rocky Mountains powerful—sometimes unpopular—law that protects what many (NRM), Great Lakes Area (GLA) and would just as soon destroy. And if history has taught us anything, Southwest (Mexican gray wolf). it is that it has always been much easier to destroy than conserve. Still it’s time to move on. As a society we need to get over it. Wolves n Wolves reached recovery criteria are here to stay. in GLA in 1995 and in NRM in 2003. Without compromise there is no solution to any problem, least of all the wolf issue. I have enough experience with wolves and n Federal government removed people to know two things for sure: wolves are not going to kill wolves from endangered species everything in sight and run everyone out of business, and wolves list, but due to legal technicalities will always die at the hands of humans. I am not so sure, however, courts placed wolves back under that state agencies will objectively manage wolves once they are federal protection. For example, delisted. Certainly, if politicians get in the middle of this process, the GLA wolves were relisted they set the stage for further manipulation by fish and game because during the last delisting commissions, which will likely set management objectives so low exercise, the government did not that it could be considered reckless. hold public hearings. Once wolves are delisted—however it happens—they will be legally hunted. This, of course, will make them wise up, good n When delisted, wolves will be news to pro-wolf and anti-wolf factions. A hunt also will do managed by the states with a double duty as a way to help fish and game agencies establish a five-year monitoring by the federal bit of public trust that has, so far, been lacking. A reasonable, fair government to ensure continued continued on page 10 population viability of the species.

International Wolf Summer 2011 9 The Argument Against Delisting Wolves The Argument for Delisting wolves off the list of protected species. And bills have chase hunt will never do harm to wolf populations. also been introduced in Congress that would outlaw It may even make folks settle down a little, especially any Endangered Species Act protection for gray wolves, those who have a legitimate gripe because they have including those in the Great Lakes region. lost livestock to wolves. The loudest call to remove protections from Great I would like to think we didn’t go to the pain and Lakes wolves seems to come from livestock producers agony of creating the ESA only to throw it out when who view wolves as a threat and who will undoubtedly things get sticky. I’d also like to think that people still kill more wolves if those protections are taken away. But have it in them to sit down and work out their dif- there are better solutions than simply trapping and ferences. I don’t think science is in danger of being cast shooting wolves. There are plenty of tested, nonlethal aside, no matter how bad things get. The feds’ misstep options to safeguard livestock from wolves, including wasn’t having too few scientific minds involved in wolf the use of guard dogs, flagging and predator-proof recovery but in forgetting to draw up an exit strategy for fencing. And when depredations do happen, livestock the kind of battle they now fight.n owners in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan are compensated for their losses. That is not the case for Carter Niemeyer is the retired USFWS wolf recovery livestock lost to coyotes and other predators, disease or coordinator for Idaho, and author of Wolfer, a memoir. bad weather, which collectively kill far more livestock than wolves take. None of this is to say having wolves in our midst is “I have enough experience always easy. They’re complicated, mobile and intelli- with wolves and people to gent predators that require land, a prey base and careful management from state and federal agencies. Yet over know two things for sure: the decades most of us have learned to live with wolves and appreciate the natural role they play. wolves are not going to kill This regional and national journey to return wolves—to the extent possible—to their former range everything in sight and run is far from over. Pulling the plug now will not only everyone out of business, shortchange the commitment we made to restore this majestic animal but also the collective commitment this and wolves will always die nation made to itself to protect and enhance the wild places that, in turn, help restore us all. n at the hands of humans.”

Collette Adkins Giese, Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a staff attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, a national conservation group that advocates for endangered species and wild places.

“Wolves occupy a paltry 5 percent of their historical range in the lower 48 states.” ogers R ynn L

10 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Looming Large in History and Fiction ans van de Vorst H ll rights reserved © A Werewolves stir a fascination that transcends time by Tracy olves have roamed across the lives and imaginations of humans O’Connell on three continents for millennia, inspiring fear and awe, myth Wand legend and admiration and revilement. Their impact on humans has given rise to art, music and literature. From their presence has emerged a shadow being, which has, in turn, garnered much of the same attention for many of the same reasons—the werewolf. Werewolves figure prominently in human culture over eons and across the world. From earliest times to the most recent, they have stirred a fascina- tion that transcends time—yet varies like peoples’ views of wolves in their myriad presentations, which occur today in pop culture genres such as horror, science fiction, paranormal and even romance. Typically seen as a human with the power to turn into a wolf-like being, werewolves share a mythic niche with other shape-shifting beings such as vampires with whom they are often linked or seen as adversaries. Metamorphosis, or shape- shifting, whether a special power or a curse, is a common thread in stories from ancient times to the present day.

International Wolf Summer 2011 11 Says Fallingstar, “Today, we’d say someone is pretending to be a wolf, but they’d say they were becoming wolves.” In wolf skins, people were incredibly brave. The phrase “berserk” comes from the Norse “Bezerker,” for people Werewolves of old To what do we owe these many so clad who fought without armor “like manifestations and continued popu- mad dogs and wolves” in battle. The term “werewolf” is said to come larity? Many cite the majesty of wolves Hysteria about werewolves in from Old English, Norse or Germanic in people’s minds, their family struc- Medieval times has been attributed languages, where wer means man as in ture and pair bonding and their effec- to hallucinations caused by seizures, male humans. Lycanthropy from the tive hunting style as attractors, yet at moldy food eaten by peasants, or the ancient Greek (lykoi, or ‘wolf,’ and the same time their fierceness induces use of a “magic salve” people thought anthropos, or ‘man’) is a term used fear. Others see a universal representa- would help them shift into wolves. fondly on numerous Web sites and tion of the beast within playing out a This salve, which was absorbed message boards among people who see duality of good and evil, spirituality through the skin, had properties simi- themselves as werewolves. They write and science and licentiousness and lar to LSD. Fallingstar notes shape- of trying to tame the inner beast and repression. shifters were first discredited in 1000 clearly associate with actual wolves Cerridwen Fallingstar, teacher and C.E. when “werewolf” came to mean in spirit, expressing difficulty living author, received a master’s degree in “out-law,” as peasants dressed as wolves in society and hiding who they truly English after discovering women in poached livestock. They were later per- are. Some sites have rituals to “become” her college years weren’t allowed on secuted and killed, much as witches a werewolf (involving candles and archeological digs, where she wanted were. In one 100-year period spanning incantations), post original poetry and to be. A shaman, she traces early wolf- the mid-1500s to mid-1600s, it is said art of werewolves (and in some cases man stories to primitive peoples who there were 30,000 werewolf trials in wolves) and list best and worst were- honored the totem of their tribe or clan France alone. wolf movies, TV shows and stories. by donning skins of that animal and Little Red Riding Hood, traced to taking on its personality. European stories of the 16th century, is considered by some a werewolf story since a wolf can’t dress as a grand- mother and speak. Werewolves on the loose today Award-winning horror author Del Howison recently penned When Werewolves Attack, which gives advice on identifying, fighting off or capturing the beasts and fuels the traditional horror genre for which he not only writes but also sells books in Dark Delicacies, claimed to be the nation’s only all-horror bookstore. How frequent are werewolf sight- ings? There have been several covered by the field of cryptozoology, the search for creatures unsubstantiated by biology like the Yeti and Loch Ness monster. One werewolf, around Bray Road near Elkhorn, Wisconsin, has been reported intermittently since the 1930s; the beast runs on two or four legs, is about six feet tall standing armiento S up, hairy and man-like with a wolf- ópez

L like face. li A

12 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Werewolves in medicine Throughout the world there have been people who are born with or acquire a condition called hyper- trichosis, the growth of excessive hair. These people were frequently attrac- tions in circuses, earning names like “the bearded lady.” While not suffi- ciently common to have been a major factor behind the Medieval werewolf hysteria, cases have been documented as early as the 1500s and are most often hereditary, considered by some to be linked to an endocrine dysfunc- tion, while others believe a gene that had been switched off in evolu- tion becomes in these cases switched back on. A 2007 feature on ABC News (see sidebar “Where to Look”) inter- views Mexico’s circus-performing Gomez family, which for five genera- relate to that helplessness tions has carried this condition. due to the lack of control A similarly rare psychiatric condi- in their own lives. tion, clinical lycanthropy, involves a Dr. L. Andrew Cooper strong delusional belief in the afflicted teaches at the Georgia person that he or she has transformed Institute of Technology into an animal, often a wolf, and is and studies the horror caused by a form of psychosis or genre. He recently wrote dementia. There are fewer than 40 Gothic Realities — The recorded cases. Impact of Horror Fiction on Modern Culture in Werewolves in modern which he notes the reli- gion vs. science themes: film and literature transformation is caused Within literature, werewolves take at times by a gypsy voodoo curse, for many variations: humans not aware of instance, while science can induce their werewolf phase, those aware who (as with Jekyll and Hyde) or seek to can’t control it and those who embrace control the transformation. it. Some completely become wolves. Cooper also cites instances where Others become hairy, wolf-like humans. people benefit from their wolf phase. An American Werewolf in London, a Teen Wolf (1985) starring Michael J. 1981 film, is said to be the first to show Fox shows an awkward youth coming a four-footed werewolf. Other varia- into his own. Jack Nicholson in Wolf tions include the Jekyll and Hyde story, (1994) becomes more effective in his which contains metamorphosis of competitive business field.Ginger Snaps good to evil but no actual wolf-man. (2000), meanwhile, pairs the were- Rob Weiner, associate librarian at wolf’s “time of the month” with a Texas Tech University, is called the woman’s menstrual cycle. “pop culture guru” by the media Cooper, among others, associates because his research interests span with Sigmund Freud’s take on horror topics involving horror and superhero fiction, saying science and reason are characterizations in film and literature. the repressing superego to the bestial Werewolves are usually good people id. Followers of Carl Jung argue that who become victims, Weiner notes, horror touches on important arche- changing the unbidden into killers types, or primordial images, that reside through no fault of their own. People in the collective unconscious. Jungians

International Wolf Summer 2011 13 Some see the werewolf fantasy as a yearning for something more in lives increasingly mundane.

Where to Look Check out the following Web sites for myths, legends, lists of movies and literature, music and other information about werewolves:

http://www.mythicalrealm.com/ ans van de Vorst

H legends/werewolf.html

http://www.werewolfpage.com/ myths.html

ll rights reserved © Blitzen Trapper performing Furr: A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq tlcHiSHTE&feature=related

meanwhile contend concepts like the of the support and loyalty found in the http://www.cerridwenfallingstar.com shadow, mother and anima and animus pack structure. She studies wolf archetypes can be found in many behavior to get her characters right, http://www.werewolves.com/ works of horror fiction. Anthropologist she says, and reads news about wolf Joseph Campbell remarked the mon- impacts on nature to use in stories. http://www.beastofbrayroad.com ster in fiction could be traced to a In Seduced by the Wolf she has Cassie, http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/ “feared adventure of the discovery of a wolf biologist, recommend the story?id=2258069&page=1 the self.” International Wolf Center as a place to learn howling. Her werewolves face http://www.calstatela.edu/faculty/ Werewolf love human issues with a broader set of sfischo/horrormoviesRev2.htm A newer body of werewolf litera- skills but also have to cope with the ture, Weiner notes, isn’t horror at all need to hide their canid identities. but rather love stories. Primary in Each book cover features a handsome wolf face paired with a rippling male popularity is Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series, which sold more than 100 torso. from nature. It is a fairly universal million books, garnered fans around phenomenon that encodes our taboo the world and launched three movies, What does it mean? desires in the figure of the beast, as with two in development, in less than What of the people who write Cooper says. Or as author Katherine a decade. Peopled by sexy werewolves online of their inner beast or play Dunn in an online interview puts it: and less-seen female werewolves, the Immortal Night, a game that offers “We hope we’re good guys, but we series blends story lines from classic “A world shrouded in darkness, where know we’re monsters.” n literature with the traditional vampire- the supernatural reigns…a life trans- werewolf struggle and attracts women formed by blood and venom…where Tracy O’Connell, associate professor readers and viewers, young and old. demons thrive…”? of marketing communications at the Terry Spear has written a 10-volume Some see the werewolf fantasy as a University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Heart of the Wolf series featuring yearning for something more in lives serves on the International Wolf werewolves, which she, like others, increasingly mundane, Weiner says, or Center’s magazine and communications committees. notes are attractive to readers because as Fallingstar sees it, in lives removed

14 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Tracking the Pack

response, which ultimately responses of individuals. This Rank Order as a Captive made him vulnerable. The is no easy task, and there are Management Dilemma wolf care team determined no easy answers, but the that it was too risky to return dilemma of rank order will by Lori Schmidt, wolf curator, Grizzer to the pack with always be a factor. Rank order International Wolf Center Aidan and Denali —the isn’t something that starts testing had been too intense when a wolf reaches the s summer approaches, pack member with no behav- for too long. Grizzer was age of 2. In every litter raised A it is time to reflect on ioral displays to reinforce this moved to a separate holding for the Center’s educational the pack dynamics displayed status. In Shadow’s absence, area until more permanent efforts, we have seen 12- to during the winter of 2010- Denali began testing Grizzer accommodations could be 14-day-old pups with high- 11. Winter is generally filled in early November 2010 and completed. tail postures, pinning, scruff with more intensity, domi- was later joined by Aidan. The factors affecting rank biting and head shaking, nance and rank-order dis- By February 2011 it was order vary. Individual per- practicing postures that putes than any other time of clear that a rank-order change sonalities, social alliances, someday will serve them well year. While a wild pack of could occur. The tragic loss weather and external stimuli when it really counts. wolves may consist of parents of Maya to a significant leg can all influence the day- To learn more about the and previous offspring, the injury in March 2011 sealed to-day actions of a pack. A status of individual wolves Center’s captive management the fate for Grizzer’s presence captive manager must have and the development of of non-related pack members in the Exhibit Pack. Without a comprehensive under- pup behavior with our 2012 means dominance rank- Maya to assert status over standing of behavior and plan for pup introduction, order disputes are more likely Denali and Aidan, Grizzer was body language to interpret follow the wolf logs at www. to occur. fearful, showing a tucked-tail the social and agonistic wolf.org. n To comprehend the rank- order issues experienced last winter, it is important to recap the summer of 2010 and Shadow’s retirement. While previous “Tracking the Pack” features have addressed the rationale behind Shadow’s retirement, this article addresses the aftermath of that decision. Shadow showed a signifi- cant amount of leadership and dominance since he deposed his pack leaders, Lucas and MacKenzie, in the fall of 2002 at 2.5 years of age. He never lost his status to the pack, and other than a brief test by Grizzer in 2006, there was no question regarding his leadership. When Shadow was retired due to concerns about his health, Grizzer was thrust Kelly Godfrey into the role of a dominant Ambassador Wolves Shadow (left) and Maya (right).

International Wolf Summer 2011 15 International Wolf Center Major Contributors and Special Gifts December 2010 – February 2011

Major Donors Memorials Honorary Matching Gifts Phillip Angwin Tom Mason In memory of Eugene In honor of Kelsey Barta: and Foundations Richard (Gene) Adams: Leigh and Carsten Beith L. David Mech Tamora Barta The Albrecht Family Doug and Sue Juhl Foundation Scot Bernstein Teresa H. Meng In honor of Leslie Brown: In memory of Becton, Dickinson and Denise Brown Seamus Metress, Ph.D. Qwest Foundation Karen Stein Hall: Company on behalf of: Bruce and Carol Bryant Christine Norred Patricia Wilkinson Brown In honor of Clifford Boldt Lammot Copeland Jr. Jim Nystrom Barbara Chance: In memory of General Mills Foundation Brian and Ellen Dietz Ann Cosgrove and Anne and Dudley Lynn Kalfsbeek: on behalf of: Family Panchot Susan Gay Keillor In honor of Pam Churn: Richard Krueger Daniele de Ponthiere Jim Paschke Lorianne Churn In memory of Makayla: The Hawksglen Mary Dolliff Rick and Suzanne Pepin Foundation Brian and Ellen Dietz In honor of Marc and Barb Farley: Melanie Donaghy Judith Posnikoff Nan Ginger Ttee Microsoft on behalf of: Alan and Sharon Fearey Debbie Reynolds Rick and Judy Henry In memory of Maya: Anonymous In honor of Grizzer: Louise Fleming Jill and David Rogers Leigh and Carsten Beith Raul Garcia Rebecca Mesa Lisa Fox Jerry Sanders and Johanna Goering Dorothy D. and Joseph A. Deborah Hinchcliffe Ellen Friedlander Michael and Donna Hames In honor of Moller Foundation Bradley and Melissa David N. Learner Amy Bromberg Funk Kenneth Housey Sara Lee Foundation Schumacher Judy Hunter Howard Learner on behalf of: Valerie Gates Richard and Betty Seid Betty Magnuson In honor of Ala Plotkin: Steven Kent Ronald Giannini, Falcon Catherine Shepard Trading Company Inc. Rebecca Mesa Amber Tamblyn UBS on behalf of: Sharon Siebert Sharon Siebert Johanna Goering In honor of Cari Ross: Edith Papp Nan Snyder John and Donna Virr Carl Golob Amber Tamblyn U.S. Bancorp Foundation Wendy Sommer In memory of my mom: Employee Matching Gifts Harold Hodges In honor of Program on behalf of: Ted and Barbara Rebecca Mesa Marilyn Seller’s birthday: Guy and Sharon Spaulding Deborah Wankel Hostetter In memory of Nadia: Marilyn Seller Michael and Joan The Trace A. Weeks Henry and Gerald Fox In honor of Bill Shoaf: Swanson Fund of the Saint Paul Stephanie Howell In memory of Anne and Dudley Panchot Foundation Amber Tamblyn Perry Hudson and Sara William H. Shaw III: In honor of Amber Tamblyn: Jo Kurtzbein-Hudson Mary Tilbury Diane Engen In-Kind Jeanne Gehrman Neil Hutt Nancy jo Tubbs In memory of Donations Sean Staelens: In honor of Michael Vieths: Michael Huwaldt John and Donna Virr Tricia Austin Victoria Douglas Michael Heinsohn Ivancich, Inc. Robert and Paul and Chris Batiste Kathryn Vizas In honor of Dorie Klein In memory of Ann Powell: Susanne Wentz: Sharon Hibbard Deborah and Ray Wells Carol and Kent James Denny Holland Etheridge Judy Hunter Landsberg Joyce Wells Sarah Denny Gail Ramee Celia Leibacher Joseph and Shirley Wolf Ruthie Paonessa Linda and Harold Lemke Yummy Dummy Robert Swindlehurst Estates Chocolate Company Diane Thayer Scott and Dianne Lewis Gale Henning Trust Richard and In memory of TSK/MK: Sylvia Manning Kristin Zieska Sarah Kaplan In memory of Rozzie Wilcox: Janet Johnson Thank You!

16 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org plentiful prey to support high numbers Agree to Defer? Wolves in Bulgaria of individuals and packs. Livestock protected by Karakachan guarding Text and photos by Chris Senior dogs grazed within wolf territories. Then under the Socialist regime, he faces around the table are involvement with wolf conservation wildlife species were arbitrarily divided tense, and body language reveals in Bulgaria since 2006, I’m attending into “good” and “bad.” Those classified Tthe participants’ discomfort. strictly as an observer, which is tough as “bad” were marked for extermina- Discussion is heated, but just when because I’m anything but neutral! tion. Add to this a 1950s rabies control agreement seems close, compromise Professor Alistair Bath of Memorial program with widespread use of poison slips away and argument resumes. University, Newfoundland, Canada, and the situation quickly worsened. And what is the subject of all the joins the participants. He has worked By the 1970s Bulgarian wolf numbers wrangling? The future of the wolf. on similar plans for top-level species had plummeted to an estimated 150 No surprises there! both here and in other countries, individuals, and wolves were officially This is democracy in action or at acting as facilitator in the process. declared endangered by 1975. least that is the aim. Diverse stake- But “Professor Alistair” is not having Previous workshops have produced holders have come together to craft an easy time of it today. some positive results. Over the next a national wolf management process International Wolf readers know two days, discussion centers on varied for Bulgaria, a plan required by the well that wolves stir strong emotions. topics for the proposed management European Union (EU), which Bulgaria This is true the world over even where plan: prevention of damage to live- joined in 2007. Both the EU and the wolves have avoided eradication by stock, wolf diet, a “no hunting” period Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe humans as is the case with Bulgaria. during the year, compensation pay- (LCIE), a working group within the Although views are polarized here, ments for damages, problem wolves International Union for Conservation wolves and humans have coexisted for and effective monitoring. The phrase of Nature (IUCN), are supporters of centuries. Even early in the 20th “problem wolf” immediately sparks this workshop. Despite my direct century wolves were abundant with debate with one participant adamant that all wolves are problematic. This will not be easy at all. Wolf numbers in Bulgaria have increased since the 1970s, but wolf conservationists think that because of the census methods used, the official tally of around 2,000 individuals is a massive overestimation. Coupled with this, less wild prey has resulted in more livestock depredation, creating the perception that wolves are increasing more rapidly than may be the case. Government policy, frequently negative toward wolves, has caused setbacks for this keystone species. Additionally, hunt- ing is a common pastime, and shooting Professor Alistair Bath of Memorial a wolf is said to be the greatest chal- University, Newfoundland, Canada. lenge, though with no guarantee of success. Even Bulgaria’s president, Georgi Parvanov, likes to hunt, and his ackground image: Denise Taylor ackground image: Denise Taylor B

International Wolf Summer 2011 17 Web site shows an image of him beside alities try to dominate and helping changes for their own gain, perhaps a freshly killed wolf. people reach some agreement on meeting other groups intent upon However, with the diverse parties various topics under discussion. This the same deed! represented here, including govern- process is not about manipulating The subject of wolf monitoring ment agency officials, scientific or bullying people toward the elusive proves especially contentious. Until researchers, animal experts, hunting goal: a completed management plan. May 2010 a bounty was payable in associations, foresters and private non- Rather, it is about creating an atmo- Bulgaria for wolves killed. One posi- profits, there is a chance to show a high sphere in which all views can be heard tive aspect of this (depending on one’s level of scientific wolf knowledge and and consensus reached. At one tense viewpoint of course) was the data maybe lay a few myths to rest. Dedicated moment, Alistair stops a heated debate provided concerning the wolf’s loca- conservation organizations such as the to remind everyone of the need for tion and the possibility of a DNA Balkani Wildlife Society (balkani.org) “principles not positions.” Those who sample. Lively discussion arises over have conducted intensive research, have come only to argue their own effective methods to monitor the popu- and we are given a presentation with position will gain nothing; adhering to lation. As protracted debate ensues precise diet data. Comprehensive scat one’s basic principles while seeking someone suggests that “compensation” analysis in two study areas shows live- compromise is paramount. might be paid for submitting a wolf stock can form a significant part of For much of the time this works. carcass. Someone else interjects a wolves’ diet. Whether the wolves have Topics with agreed-upon points are comment about detecting wolf pop- done the killing is, of course, harder to posted on large sheets of paper in clear ulations hybridizing with dogs. Many determine. However, much has been view. The smaller pieces of paper are dogs run loose in the countryside, and learned, and there is always more to glued firmly down with an outline the question is posed: If a male wolf know concerning this amazingly adap- drawn around them—not quite set in is killed when the breeding female is tive predator—and much to debate. stone but perhaps the modern equiva- in season, will she then breed with a Professor Alistair tries to keep the lent, and I have images in my mind dog instead? process moving, acknowledging the of people trying to sneak back into Each discussion point seems to value of all viewpoints when person- the room at night to make subtle have almost as many sides as there are

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18 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org NETH.

BELGIUM GERMANY

LUX. CZECH

AUSTRIA FRANCE SWITZERLAND LIECH.

SLOVENIA people in the room, and it is frustrating to watch some people clearly not listening to the viewpoints of others. Proof that frustration is high comes ROMANIA when the subject of livestock guarding dogs is discussed, and someone asks why the group is even considering this issue when the object of the debate is to determine “whether there are YUGOSLAVIA sufficient wolves to allow hunting.” Sophia One statistic commanding attention Bulgaria is the report that hunters killed 1,000 wolves between 2006 and 2009. Since poaching is a problem, the true mor- MACEDONIA tality figure is probably higher.ITALY Can a viable population be sustained at this rate? Who can say for sure? An accu- rate estimate of the likely population ALBANIA through-out Bulgaria is as elusive as the wolf itself. Balkani reports an esti- mated 600-700 wolves in Bulgaria, not the 2,000 officially cited by the GREECE TURKEY government. But research is ongoing regarding this crucial number, so any concept of a “sustainable harvest” is largely meaningless. Harvest. It sounds TUNISIAlike a field of wheat rather then a keystone species. I commentMALTA on this to others and find I am not the only one sadly amused by the term. The debate shifts focus to the issue SYRIA of a “protection period” when wolves will not be hunted. Two key issues are presented. First, should such a period

Comprehensive scat analysis in two study areas shows live- stock can form a significant part of wolves’ diet.

International Wolf Summer 2011 19 apply to the entire country, or should are perturbed not only with the others the wolf. People just perceive wolves the state-run “hunting areas” covering present but also with themselves, espe- differently: a trophy to be hunted; a some 14 percent of the country be cially since Professor Alistair had hoped creature to be researched and protected excluded? Second, how long should to make this workshop the last where along with its habitat; a nuisance to such a period be? Those responsible he would be needed as facilitator. By be controlled; an essential ecological for the hunting areas are not in favor of now group members are not even sure umbrella species; a resource to be any protection at all within these areas whether they can ask him to return. “harvested” and a symbol of wildness. because figures demonstrate only a few The need for his skill is evident, but The lines between these views may wolves are shot there during the when he asks directly whether they have been blurred a little over the proposed spring protection period. want him to come back, guilt at the lack last two days, but there is still so far to Hence, they insist a protection period of progress causes people to hesitate. go. That much I think we could agree would not make much practical differ- Or maybe, I think, they are just too upon. n ence. The opposing view is that since tired now to make any decisions at all. the number of wolves killed is small, So the workshop is over. There has Chris Senior lives in the north of England this is not a big compromise to ask for, been progress, let us not forget this and works as an environmental GIS and there is no reason not to have even with the faltering ending. But specialist, photographer and Web site wolves protected throughout the entire democracy is a slow process, and developer. He also loves travel, particu- country in spring. Deadlock. people often have the mistaken view larly wolf-related trips, and apart from frequent trips to the Bulgarian project, Debate goes on for two hours. that it means all participants get what he has visited the Canadian tundra to see Professor Alistair points out that the they want. But if they succeed even half wild arctic wolves and spent five weeks rest of the EU nations have a country- the time, they are doing well! That is helping look after captive wolves in wide “no exceptions” protection the nature of it. And compromise over Poland. He has many photos, which can period. However, this fails to end the wolf is not an easy thing, whichever be seen at www.pbase.com/pawsforthought the arguing. Finally, a subgroup is side you are on. That much is clear. and a few tales to tell also! appointed to wrestle with this matter I do not even think that anyone at a future date. in the room actually outright hates From this point, the frustration all around is evident. I sense that people Author’s note: Thanks must go to my friends, Elena and Sider Sedefcheva, for looking after me in Bulgaria. Between them they keep rare-breed Karakachan goats, sheep and horses; have brought the Karakachan livestock guarding dog back from the brink of extinction; built the massive Large Carnivore Education Centre (LCEC) and host school groups there; work on wolf and other large carni- vore conservation and research; campaign on green issues and still find time to look after two amazing kids. Their dedication amazes me constantly. If you would like to know more, head for www.visitcarnivorebg.org where you can see the new Web site pro- gressing. There are photos and infor- mation about the project and the op- portunity to make donations as well. It always surprises me how much is accomplished with relatively little money, and every euro or dollar can truly benefit the tremendous conser- One statistic commanding attention vation efforts of the team there. is the report that hunters killed 1,000 wolves between 2006 and 2009. A special thank you also to Vencislav Gradinarov, whose tireless interpret- ing skills made it possible for me to make sense of the proceedings.

20 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Dogs and Wolves Star in These Two Children’s Books by Nancy jo Tubbs

olves live out a year in the One hint that the book is for older chil- pack in the lovely counting dren is author Jenni Bidner’s revelation Wbook, One Wolf Howls, by that the puppy licking your face is (A) author Scotti Cohn and illustrator acting like a wild wolf and (B) hoping Susan Detwiler. Adults won’t tire of the you’ll throw up your lunch so it can lush artwork while reading to a toddler have a meal. Kids will love the yuck who is just learning one, two, three factor and learn other ways the family and perhaps taking in the message dog acts out its ancient wolf heritage. that wolves aren’t usually to be feared. In 64 pages, the young reader gets a One Wolf Howls. In fact, in this book, wolves prefer to graphic look at the reality of wolves— 2009. Sylvan Dell Publishing. avoid humans as illustrated in one how a hand-raised wolf pup can turn Written by Scotti Cohn and snowy scene: into a snarling adult, unsafe for human illustrated by Susan Detwiler. companionship—while its dog cousins 32 pages. “Three wolves bark on a brisk are bred to bond with their human March morning— families for life. Those dogs, from danger, danger humans in sight...” wrinkly shar-peis to yodeling beagles, help answer questions: The rhymed story takes a wolf Why does your dog bark, chew family through 12 months so that kids your stuff, love its squeaky toy learn the seasons and are introduced or tuck its tail? to the calendar. The lone wolf howls Both books were vetted by in January moonlight. The pups are respected organizations. Is My born in sunny May. Then the child Dog a Wolf? takes its pedigree can count 9 wolves hidden in a golden from the Wildlife Science Center fall forest and follow the pack of 10 in Forest Lake, Minnesota, and on a moose hunt. earned the ASPCA Henry Bergh With adult help, slightly older kids Children’s Book Award. The staffs can solve the puzzles at the end of the of Wolf Park and Defenders of book, including one in which they Wildlife vetted the information match wolf postures to messages of in One Wolf Howls. Is My Dog a Wolf? submission, anger and the invitation Both books are available from to play. The author asks, “Have you the Wolf Den store at the International How Your Pet Compares ever seen a dog use any of these Wolf Center at www.wolf.org. n to Its Wild Cousin. communication methods?” and intro- 2006. Sterling. duces in “Wolf Fun Facts” the story of Nancy jo Tubbs, an Ely, Minnesota, wolf-dog evolution. More games and resort owner and writer, is chair of Written by Jenni Bidner. resources are offered online at sylvan- the International Wolf Center’s board 64 pages. dellpublishing.com. of directors. She has served on the Is My Dog a Wolf? How Your Pet board since 1992 and also chairs Compares to Its Wild Cousin takes on the the communications and strategic planning committees. dog-wolf comparison with a cheerful wag of the tail, spunky graphics and charming photos of the canine cousins.

International Wolf Summer 2011 21 n the morning of December Wolf Observation at 27, 1999, my dog Heiko, a Disappointment Lake Olean, 100-pound (45.5 kg) German shepherd, and I left the public by Michael Ruzich landing on Snowbank Lake, each pulling about 50 pounds (22.7 kg) on sleds. With temperatures just above zero under near cloudless skies, Heiko and I were mid-channel on Disap- pointment Lake. We were at the half- way point on the lake when from around a peninsula about 200 meters (218.7 yards) away approaching from the southeast came a pack of eight wolves. They ranged in color from light silver-gray to black and were playfully cavorting with each other on the ice. The first thought that entered my mind was that this was the moment I had been waiting for since my first ventures into wolf territory. We could not get off the ice without attracting attention, so I quietly told Heiko to stay as the wolves approached. All that I had read about wolves (a small library) or heard about wolves was that they would not harm you. Wolves were supposed to be timid when around people, and that is what I had experi- enced with all the lone wolves I had already observed. However, this was a pack of eight wolves coming straight toward me. Needless to say I was excited and felt no fear, yet in the deep recesses of my mind I figured I would soon find out for myself about encounters The first thought that between wolves, people and dogs. entered my mind was When approximately 100 meters that this was the moment (109.4 yards) away the wolves abruptly I had been waiting for since my first ventures halted. One could see them looking into wolf territory. at each other almost quizzically as if to say, “What do we do now?” Within 10 seconds the wolves slowly turned and retraced their steps behind the peninsula from where they had origi- tenersen

S nally appeared. I set up camp as the sun sank in the southwestern sky across from where I Theresa V. Theresa V. had encountered the wolf pack. As

22 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org Recorded howling pales in comparison to actually hearing wolves howl in the wild. uzich R ichael The carcass, a moose M darkness replaced daylight, there calf, was all but was no sign of wildlife on the stripped of meat and Photos: lake, which was blanketed with still fully articulated a pristine cover of snow. As I except for one of its front legs. sat down to enjoy dinner by the campfire, from the south at about 7 p.m. a symphony of howling penetrated the quiet, chilled evening air. The wolves continued to howl through the early evening hours. Twice I howled to the wolves and received immediate response. Recorded howling culated except for one of its front legs. (5.1 to 7.6 centimeters) of snow on the pales in comparison to actually hearing The hide had been completely stripped ice there was no traction. The wolves wolves howl in the wild. Once as a from the carcass and lay in a pile easily took down the calf, and the gentle snow began to fall a number of perhaps 30 meters (32 yards) to the mother continued across the ice. wolves struck the same chord and west. Another 20 meters (21 yards) During the following two days I the air seemed to tremble. farther to the west was an area where observed two wolves at the kill site. Upon rising the following morning, it appeared as though the wolves During those two days the skeleton I could see a flurry of activity about had plucked the moose of its fur. In was widely scattered and the bones 300 meters (328 yards) away near the this mass of fur lay the moose calf’s were picked clean. Faint howling to shoreline to the south. Ravens were on stomach contents, a frozen block of the north could be heard during my and around something, and I could see forage matter. last night on Disappointment Lake. On wolves moving back and forth, causing A set of moose tracks continued the morning of my departure snow all the ravens to yield ground. This activity across the thin layer of snow to the but covered the remains of the moose went on for about three hours. About northwest from the kill site. From a calf as Heiko and I, with loaded sleds, 10 a.m. the eight wolves dispersed to spot just west of the carcass, it was trekked back to Snowbank Lake. n the northeast moving in single file. I sat obvious the chase had begun on land. on a point as the wolves passed within I followed the trail south. Clumps of Michael Ruzich has taught biology/ 50 meters (54 yards). Periodically a moose fur littered the trail on the way general science for 20 years. He has wolf would stop to defecate, and within to the lake. About 50 meters (54 yards) always had a keen interest in the outdoors in general and the North in particular. He seconds ravens would pounce on the from the shore was a small “yard” of plans to retire next year on his property fecal matter. Food is a scarce commodity trampled snow and vegetation littered near Ely, Minnesota, where he will have during winter. with moose pellets. plenty of time to pursue his lifelong An hour later there was no activity What appeared to have happened interest in wolves and contribute to wolf across the ice. I decided to wait a bit was a cow and her calf were approached education in Minnesota and throughout longer before visiting the kill site. The by the pack, and the moose ran the country. carcass, a moose calf, was all but from the yard area with the wolves in stripped of meat and still fully arti- pursuit. With only two to three inches

International Wolf Summer 2011 23 communities and a host of other Conservation Easements Offer plants and animals, all in perpetuity. Attractive Alternative to Land Purchases Easements of this type can be donated or require significant funds depending by Nancy Gibson on their location, but the cost is still far less than land acquisition, and all ecological benefits are ensured. All of he wolf crossed a major highway to allow hunting or not and whether Minnesota’s easements enforce restora- near Duluth, Minnesota, and to accept the challenges of state man- tion and maintenance in the contract. Tlingered just beyond the road agement, a better discussion—and With 17 million acres (6,879,656 all too comfortable skirting the edge one that could lead to a sustainable hectares) of private and public forest- of civilization. I had heart pangs solution—would involve where wolf land in Minnesota, it is in the wolf’s wondering if and when the wolf would populations are going to live beyond best interest to preserve these vast get hit or shot or starve to death. This our lifetimes. tracts of wildland for reproduction, wolf demonstrates that growing popu- Purchasing wolf habitat is the most transfer of genes and protection and lations of wolves are squeezing into effective means of ensuring wolf sur- thus ensure a good future for the wolf. tighter territories, risking encounters vival, but land acquisition is costly. Can’t we all agree on that? n with humans. Another emerging tool is the conser- I have two Labrador retrievers, so vation easement. It requires the coop- Nancy Gibson, author and naturalist, has served on the International Wolf Center’s admittedly my love of canines starts at eration of landowners who are willing board of directors since 1987. She was home, and seeing their wild ancestor is to protect their property. Easements instrumental in raising the necessary funds always a thrill. It is easy to relate the can require lengthy legal contracts to build the Center, was one of the Center’s familiar qualities of dogs to their wild designed to meet the interests of the first board chairs and has served on most relatives and thus feel some anxiety landowner and ensure the preservation of its committees. She also conducts seeing this wolf in potential jeopardy. and protection of land in its natural, educational programs for the Center. My mind knows better. I know that scenic or other open-space condition. seeing and feeling emotions toward a Basically easements buy future wolf is easy, but the long-term survival development rights. Their gain of this wolf and others requires wild- in popularity has streamlined lands. If wildlands exist, wolves will the legal effort and influenced survive. nearby neighbors and family One common theme drilled into members to also consider this me when I first became interested long-term option. in wolves was that by giving wolves A conservation easement on a little protection and enough habitat a 190,000-acre (76,890-hectare) to support sufficient numbers of tract of forest- prey the wolf will succeed. The Upper industry land was Great Lakes region and the Northern recently finalized in Rockies, where wolf populations are northern Minnesota. growing at a steady rate, are a testa- The land will still be ment to this theory. logged but only with Here lies my frustration. Wolf sustainable harvests, protectionists, wolf lovers and the like none of which will spend an inordinate amount of time be near water. This and money promoting the doom and tract of land will gloom of the wolf but rarely mention also be open to the

healthy habitat. While the controversy public and provide aske R

rages on about whether to delist the critical habitat for att wolf from federal protection under some 30 wolves, M

the Endangered Species Act, whether many bears, aquatic Photos:

24 Summer 2011 www.wolf.org