A Conversation with Mike Phillips About the Endangered Species Act Page 4 Wolves in Washington: a Triumphant Return Or the End of the Road? Page 9

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A Conversation with Mike Phillips About the Endangered Species Act page 4 Wolves in Washington: A Triumphant Return or the End of the Road? page 9

Hiking the Roof of Africa in Search of Ethiopian Wolves page 15 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER VOLUME 21, NO. 3 FALL 2011 Features Departments A Conversation 3 From the 4 with Mike Phillips Executive Director Executive Director of the Turner Endangered Species Tracking the Pack Fund Mike Phillips, an expert on the Endangered 14 Species Act and a representative in the Montana legislature, explains how the intentionally ambiguous 15 Wolves of the World nature of this groundbreaking legislation was intended to work. 20 Personal Encounter Tom Myrick 24 A Look Beyond

Kevin Loader Wolves in Washington: 9 A Triumphant Return On the Cover Ethiopian wolf (canis simensis) or the End of the Road? standing alert. Photo by Martin Harvey We are just beginning to see the return of wolves to Martin Harvey is an acclaimed South Washington, and only time will tell whether Washington is a Africa-based photographer whose extensive photographic library includes state where wolves come to die or if it’s the beginning of a grand wildlife, landscapes and people from natural recovery throughout the Pacific Northwest. What’s for more than 20 African countries. certain is that this will be a pivotal year for wolves in our region. His Web site is: www.wildimagesonline.com Jasmine Minbashian

Conservation Northwest Did you know...

one easy way for you to help us conserve natural resources is to make sure we have your email address. Simply email your address to: [email protected] Rebecca Jackrel Publications Director Tom Myrick

Graphics Coordinator Carissa L. Winter

Consulting Editor Fran Howard

Technical Editor L. David Mech

Graphic Designer Tricia Austin

International Wolf (1089-683X) is published Join our “Social Den.” quarterly and copyrighted, 2011, by the Go to http://www.wolf.org/wolves/experience/socialden.asp to find International Wolf Center, 3410 Winnetka links to all our social media sites including our new International Wolf Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55427, USA. email: [email protected]. YouTube channel. Be part of a global pack in support of the Center and All rights reserved. its ideas and help us teach the world about wolves. Publications agreement no. 1536338 Membership in the International Wolf Center includes a subscription to International Wolf magazine, free admission to the Center, and 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, 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 and materials printed in International 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 photographs. Prior to submission of other types of manuscripts, address queries to Tom Myrick, magazine coordinator. PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or obvious from the caption or article text, photos are of captive wolves. International Wolf is printed entirely with soy ink on FSC certified paper. We encourage FSC logo here you to recycle this magazine.

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

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy jo Tubbs Chair Social Media is Here to Stay—Ready or Not Dr. L. David Mech Vice Chair must admit I am part of the “boomer” generation, and it has taken me awhile to Cree Bradley understand what “social media” is, much less learn how to use it. Whether I like it Secretary or not, social media sometimes seems to be the only way to communicate with my Paul B. Anderson I Treasurer children. Today, the most well-known social media tools are Facebook, Myspace, and Debbie Hinchcliffe LinkedIn for social networking; Flickr and Snapfish for photo sharing; Nancy Gibson Wikipedia for knowledge-sharing and collaboration; and Blogger and Hélène Grimaud WordPress for blogging. Experts say these tools allow their users to build Linda Lemke relationships and solve problems. Dr. Rolf O. Peterson Our members and many non-members heard from us numerous times Mike Phillips through social media in April and May. The Chase Community Giving Debbie Reynolds Program offered $5 million to charities across the nation through a voting Jerry Sanders contest on Facebook. We were awarded $25,000 for third place in the first Paul Schurke Mary Ortiz round of the top 100 and another $45,000 in the second round, where our Ted Spaulding “Big Idea” earned more than 12,000 votes from as far away as Germany and Switzerland! Deb Wells We only learned of this contest a few weeks before the deadline and certainly had not Ray Wells anticipated this funding. What a grand difference $65,000 will make as we continue Teri Williams teaching the world about wolves! The promotion of this effort by staff, board, volunteers, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR members and friends was extraordinary in many ways. These educational funds came Mary Ortiz with the help of 12,000-plus Facebook users—and we thank each and every one of you. We have learned that nonprofits like us must adapt to change and reconsider our MISSION traditional ideas about building relationships, solving problems and even fundraising. The International Wolf Center advances the survival In our case, social media helped people from around the globe band together in of wolf populations by support of the Center and our ideas to improve wolf education. By using these new tech- teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the nologies, you can have significant impact on the issues facing wolves. We will use these human role in their future. same technologies to keep you up to date on the freshest, most vital information and Educational services and issues involving the wolf world. informational resources In our Chase contest “Big Idea” description, we made clear the hope that, in partner- are available at: 1396 Highway 169 ship, we can accomplish great things: “Wolves are a valued international resource. We Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA teach humans so that wolves might live.” n 800-ELY-WOLF 218-365-4695 email address: [email protected] Web site: http://www.wolf.org Mary Ortiz Executive Director

International Wolf Fall 2011 3 A CONVERSATION WITH MIKE PHILLIPS Clockwise from top: Lynn Rogers, Evelyn Mercer, Rogers, Evelyn Mercer, Clockwise from top: Lynn Jackie Fallon Kevin Loader,

4 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org Editor’s Note: Tom Myrick, communications director for the International Wolf Center, recently recorded an in-depth interview with Executive Director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund Mike Phillips, an expert on the Endangered Species Act. During the interview, Myrick posed several key questions to more fully understand the intentionally ambiguous nature of this groundbreaking legislation, how it works, and what happens when it works. The following is a summary of that conversation with the full interview, including question-by-question sound bites, available at the new International Wolf YouTube channel www.youtube.com/user/IntlWolfMagazine.

IWC: What constitutes success under the Endangered Species Act (ESA)? PHILLIPS: There are at least three measures. First and perhaps most important, we prevent species from going extinct because once that happens, there’s no putting Humpty Dumpty together again. The second success measure is for a species listed as “endangered” to be down- listed to “threatened,” which means it’s not in such dire straits. Finally, another important measure of success is delisting the species altogether, meaning federal protection under the ESA is no longer needed. The species is then managed by a state agency like other non-listed wildlife species. But given that some species’ needs are so hard to meet and landscapes are so different from what they used to be, some species may never be delisted. But that’s not a failure of the ESA or of the American people. It’s recognition that sometimes we can’t restore species to their native Photo courtesy of Mike Phillips habitats or to areas within their historical range in a manner Mike Phillips, a leading expert on the Endangered Species Act, argues that the law’s ultimate goal is to ensure that future landscapes are that sufficiently fits the spirit and intent of the ESA. Delisting healthy enough that endangered species can eventually be delisted. is a really big deal. There have been very few cases where a species has been delisted because of conservation progress in the field. The mark established by the federal law is very high and difficult to meet.

IWC: Why do some people have a problem with that success? PHILLIPS: Some people are frustrated by gray wolves because as they’ve become increasingly common in some areas, they have the potential to create problems. Gray wolves are a very, very challenging species. The gray wolf was subjected to a 350-year war by pioneering settlers. And that war lasted until the late 1950s. By the late 1950s, the gray wolf had been exterminated from the United States except for a small population in northern Minnesota and a small number of animals in Isle Royale National Park. The war against the wolf was based on the notion that gray

International Wolf Fall 2011 5 wolves are a problem because they take ecological role that the gray wolf plays because they can’t speak for them- things I want. They take wild game if is that it typically subsists on things selves. And I think we take pride in the I’m a hunter, they take livestock if I’m bigger than itself. The gray wolf is claim that no species will disappear on a rancher and in the minds of some designed physically and emotionally, our watch. We take pride in the notion people they take security because they through its social ecology, to kill things that we’re going to hand to our chil- represent a threat to human safety. But bigger than itself such as white-tailed dren and grandchildren a country full there are lots of gray wolves living close deer and bison, whereas the coyote is of opportunities. And these species to people. And you very rarely see gray designed to kill things smaller than and the landscapes upon which they wolves attacking people. In contrast, itself like rabbits and rodents. So with depend do represent opportunities. cougars, black bears and grizzly bears the wolf species, a great ecological All of our human needs are met only have all, on occasion, attacked people generalist, we have to think about if our landscapes are healthy enough to with far more regularity than gray biological carry capacities, how many provide food, cover, water and space. wolves. We can’t explain why gray moose are available, for example. We The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolves see people differently, but they also need to think about social carrying (USFWS) has done an outstanding do. Nonetheless, this war drove gray capacity, how many gray wolves will job of improving the ESA over the wolves close to extinction in the 48 states. The feelings of frustration haven’t completely dissipated, and so some will argue that with delisting growing wolf populations, we’re now seeing an unacceptable level of conflict. And because of that conflict, we have to respond by killing wolves.

IWC: Is it true that the ESA has the capacity to restore habitat, and why is that absolutely critical to both recovery and management? PHILLIPS: The aim of the ESA is to preserve these species and the habitat upon which they depend. Without the particular habitat that a species depends upon, it simply won’t make it. The classic example would be the black-footed ferret, a very narrow ecological specialist. At the other end of the spectrum are the ecological generalists, those species that can do well just about anywhere if some basic Evelyn Mercer needs are met. And the greatest ecological generalist is the gray wolf. people support before they blow a years. Principally the USFWS has made Historically, the gray wolf occurred gasket and say, “Gee whiz! We need a the ESA better by integrating some everywhere; it occupied every habitat massive control program because there common sense approaches to imple- in the United States. The important are simply too many gray wolves.” menting the law. There are lots of provisions now that incentivize partic- IWC: What is the future of the ipation of private landowners, for ESA? Can it be improved? example. And private land, which very much defines this country, is important PHILLIPS: It’s a landmark piece of for many of these species. I have lots of legislation, viewed as such around the examples where private land works world. It’s something this country takes well to help save and recover listed a great deal of pride in. We like the species. In part, private land works notion of standing in firm support well because over the years, the USFWS of our brothers and sisters that wear has improved the ESA to make it more fur and feathers, that need our help user friendly for private landowners. and that require us to speak for them

6 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org IWC: If you could change or improve the ESA, what would be the one thing that you would do? PHILLIPS: I have thought a lot about the law. It’s not enough just to look at the ESA and ask how it can be improved. You also have to look at what rules and regulations the USFWS has developed to fill in the gaps created by the broad language in the ESA. So when I look at improving the ESA, I consider both the language of the law and how we might modify the rules and regulations that guide the USFWS on a daily basis. The one thing I would do is make sure USFWS policy and regulations are clear on the point that concerns this notion of “significant portion of range.” That is, the ESA defines an endangered species as “any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all

We like the notion of standing in firm support of our brothers and sisters that wear fur and feathers, that need our help and that require us to speak for them because they can’t speak for themselves.

or a significant portion of its range.” As restoration ecologists, we have to wrestle with what constitutes “significant portion of range.” An important part of effecting recovery is trying to understand what the original authors of the ESA meant. I think they pur- posely gave us some latitude to try to figure it out on a case-by-case, species- by-species basis.

IWC: Does “significant portion of range” give clear direction? Does it eliminate or stop the lawsuits? PHILLIPS: No, I don’t think so. We’re a litigious society. We appreciate the opportunity to seek redress in court. Sometimes people are never satisfied. Sometimes people will use a specific issue to try to effect a bigger agenda. Sometimes an environmental organization might use gray wolves, and even

International Wolf Fall 2011 7 misrepresent the gray wolf situation, to medium the country can celebrate, country said through the ESA is that advance some of their other causes. take pride in—and move on. we want to embark on a journey that The gray wolf has appropriately been a takes us to healthier landscapes going poster animal for a host of environ- IWC: What’s the benefit of clari- forward. We want these species to not mental ills. Other people use the gray fying “significant portion of range?” just dodge extinction; we want them to wolf as a whipping post no matter What does that help us do better? be so common in the future that they how few there are. For these people, can be delisted. That’s the only conclu- the acceptable number of wolves is PHILLIPS: It certainly would give the sion I can reach from the ESA, and that zero. They will argue that there should courts clearer direction. If Congress is a really big deal. n be an aspect of the ESA that says some were to amend the ESA so some of species are no longer acceptable. There these terms were better defined, the Mike Phillips, an ESA expert and will always be zealots on both ends of executive branch, through the USFWS, a member of the Montana House of the extremes. What’s needed is the could do a better job implementing Representatives (D. Bozeman), was common sense middle that recognizes the law in a manner consistent with the principal biologist in charge of the and listens to the extremes but is not congressional intent. I would try to reintroduction of the red wolf in the improve the ESA by making clear that southeastern United States and the motivated by them. In other words, gray wolf in Yellowstone. “You want no wolves anywhere, and “significant portion of range” is recog- you, on the other hand, want gray nized by everybody as a really big deal. wolves everywhere,” but somewhere This country didn’t just say we want to between these two extremes is a happy prevent extinctions. I think what the

I think what the country said through the ESA is that we want to embark on a journey that takes us to healthier landscapes going forward. We want these species to not just dodge extinction; we want them to be so common in the future that they can be delisted.

8 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org Wolves in Washington: A Triumphant Return oror thethe EndEnd ofof thethe Road?Road?

This will be a pivotal year for wolves in Washington

t was just before dawn when our truck pulled into the wildlife refuge Iparking lot. The sun had not yet risen above the eastern horizon, but the sky was slowly starting to brighten the Methow Valley after a night’s rest. It was a cold, frosty morning in February on the eastern flanks of north-central Washington’s Cascade Mountains. I was tagging along with a group of biologists to check some deer traps that were part of an innovative study to understand the effect of wolves and predation on ungulate populations. Photo courtesy of Conservation Northwest This area in particular was chosen because it was home to the newly by JASMINE MINBASHIAN established Lookout pack—one of only three confirmed wolf packs in Washington. We were gathering our field gear together when we heard a large chorus of coyotes greeting the morning sun. The yips and squeals were unmis- takable, and the coyotes undoubtedly sounded like they were having a good time. Once the cacophony subsided,

International Wolf Fall 2011 9 “For me, this sound was almost difficult to comprehend. I had heard wolves in Yellowstone National Park and northern Minnesota, but never in the Cascades— even after 15 years of working toward their recovery in my home state of Washington.”

we went back to scurrying around

the truck, gathering our gear. But less Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) WA than a minute went by when a new Young wolves from the Diamond pack in Pend Oreille County, Washington, are caught sound instantly forced our whole on a motion-triggered remote camera in 2009. group to freeze like statues of ice. It was the long, low howl of a large canine, discovery was heralded as a trium- coming from the opposite direction of were perplexed as to where the sound phant return of a native mammal that the coyotes and from the direction we was coming from. Casually, one of our was poisoned and persecuted to virtual would be heading. We all exchanged colleagues pointed to two figures on extinction in the Cascade Mountains. wide-eyed glances and at the same time the hill above us that were watching Even more remarkable is that these mouthed the word: Wolf! from a safe distance. With binoculars animals returned completely on their For me, this sound was almost we could see clearly that these figures own, with no help from us. DNA difficult to comprehend. I had heard were indeed wolves: a grand, older- testing has linked the Lookout pack wolves in Yellowstone National Park looking animal, which resembled the to wolves farther north in British and northern Minnesota, but never in breeding male of the Lookout pack that Columbia. the Cascades—even after 15 years of I had seen in remote camera photos, Sadly, three years later, the story is working toward their recovery in my and a younger sleek animal accompa- not as uplifting. As of this writing, only home state of Washington. After all nying him. They watched us for quite two animals are believed to remain in these years of silence in the mountains, some time until letting out a big yawn; this pack: the older breeding male and could this really be what I was hearing? then they slowly walked away, as if to a younger animal of unknown gender— We quickly strapped on our packs say, “You humans are boring.” probably the two I saw on that February and headed down the trail toward morning at the wildlife refuge. The the sound of the howling. The low, The challenge for wolves breeding female has not been spotted mournful howl continued steadily, in Washington since May 2010, and her radio collar raising concerns that perhaps a wolf When first documented in 2008, has been silent. No signs of breeding had been caught in one of our deer the Lookout pack had six wolf pups, a or new pups have emerged this spring, traps. After arriving at the study site, subadult male, and an older breeding and local biologists believe the future we were relieved to find no wolves in pair, female and male (see winter of this pack is all but lost. Worse yet, our traps. Scratching our heads, we 2008 issue of International Wolf). This

10 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org S

M e l k s o i n u r i k Methow n a t t a n Valley i u n o s M e d the severe reduction of this pack is a c s likely to be the result of illegal killing. a C Authorities believe that poachers Seattle have killed as many as five wolves from Washington this pack. First, a bloody wolf hide was discovered in a FedEx box being Olympia shipped from Washington to Canada. Next, a skinned wolf carcass was discovered dumped near the remote North Cascades Highway. In June, three Washington residents were indicted by a federal grand jury on 12 counts of wildlife violations, including conspiracy, various counts of smug- gling hides and poached animal parts New Packs Confirmed in and out of the country and tragi- cally the killing of up to five endangered wolves in the Lookout pack. In July 2011, two new packs were With fewer than 20 wolves known to confirmed in Washington: The be in Washington, each of these deaths is a huge loss. Smackout pack in the Selkirks, not To address this major challenge to and Minnesota. The deer and elk will far from the Diamond and Salmo wolf recovery in Washington, Conser- still be here in good numbers and packs, and the Teanaway pack in vation Northwest recently partnered hunter success ratios will remain stable the central Cascades, just 90 miles with the Washington Department of (as we have seen in Idaho), but the Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to establish animals will be smarter, healthier and (144.84 kilometers) east of Seattle. a state reward fund to apprehend less brazen as a result of new predation DNA analysis of the Teanaway poachers who illegally kill Washing- pressures. This may make hunting breeding female suggests that ton’s endangered wildlife, including more of a challenge, but it will also wolves and grizzly bears. make for better hunters. she is likely a recent descendant Despite this major setback, I try to It’s also important to remember that of the Cascades Lookout pack to maintain some optimism as new the return of wolves could be beneficial the north. With the new wolf packs, sighting reports continue to trickle in for areas currently plagued with an from other parts of the state. The overabundance of deer and elk that are the estimated number of wolves success of these wolves will largely causing problems on highways, farms, in Washington is 20 to 30. depend on whether humans are able to orchards, gardens and ranches. In just learn to coexist with these sometimes two years, nearly $700,000 in damage challenging and difficult animals. In claims involving deer and elk were particular, hunters will play an impor- filed in Washington and nearly half of state! They are decimating the Montana tant role in determining this outcome. those claims were awarded by WDFW. elk and moose populations and from Many have expressed concerns as to Still, expect some hunters to over- what I am told are doing the same what impact wolves will have on deer state claims about wolves, similar to thing to Idaho! We killed them off for and elk populations. It’s highly likely this comment that was submitted a reason, we don’t need them!” that the story in Washington will during last year’s public comment However, not all hunters oppose be somewhat similar to what has period for Washington’s Draft Wolf wolves. In a 2008 survey commis- occurred in other areas where wolves Conservation and Management Plan: sioned by WDFW, hunters in Wash- have recovered such as Idaho, Montana “Keep the damn wolves out of our ington were asked if they support or

International Wolf Fall 2011 11 “The success of these wolves will largely depend on whether humans are able to learn to coexist with these sometimes challenging and difficult animals.”

oppose having the department manage wolves to be a self-sustaining population. Support exceeded opposition

among every type of hunter except Conservation Northwest sheep, moose and goat hunters. A curious wolf from the Lookout pack is captured on a remote camera in 2008. Three One of many comments made to local residents were recently indicted for killing several members of the Lookout pack. the WDFW on the draft wolf management plan was this: “I am an avid elk hunter and a wolf advocate. I can go This makes having a viable state wolf We are just beginning to see the out elk hunting and find it interesting conservation and management plan return of wolves to Washington, and when I see wolves and elk. I respect all in place even more critical. only time will tell whether Washington predators and feel there is much to be In the western two-thirds of the is a state where wolves come to die learned from them.” state, which includes the pioneer or if it’s the beginning of a grand nat- This is an important year for the Lookout Pack, management respon- ural recovery throughout the Pacific future of wolves in Washington. This sibility still lies with the US Fish Northwest. What’s for certain is that fall WDFW is finalizing its Wolf Con- and Wildlife Service (USFWS) under this will be a pivotal year for wolves in servation and Management Plan, which the ESA, although the state is under our region. n has been in the works for over three contract for most of the fieldwork years. The agency will present a final and monitoring. USFWS recently Jasmine Minbashian directs the wolf draft of the plan to the Washington announced it is conducting a status program for Conservation Northwest, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the review of wolves in the Pacific a wildlife conservation organization commission will vote to adopt the plan Northwest (which includes the western based in Washington state. She has been by the end of the year. two-thirds of Washington), which will involved in wolf recovery efforts in the Pacific Northwest for over 15 years Earlier this year, a federal budget determine whether the wolf has and serves on Washington’s wolf advisory rider stripped Endangered Species recovered to the extent that it can be group. She is currently working with Act (ESA) protections for Rocky delisted or reclassified or if it remains the BBC on a documentary about wolves Mountain wolf populations, which endangered. This will provide an returning to the Cascades, which will includes wolves in the eastern third of opportunity to highlight the threats to air early next year. Washington, where the state’s other recovery from illegal killing and two confirmed packs live: the Salmo possibly establish wolves in the and Diamond packs. These packs are Cascade Mountains as a separate popu- now the responsibility of Washington lation worthy of its own listing status state and are managed under state law. and recovery effort.

12 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER Major Contributors and Special Gifts MARCH 2011 – MAY 2011

Major Donors Memorials Nancy jo Tubbs In honor of Grizzer: Microsoft on behalf of: Barbara Wallen Chris and Paul Batiste Anonymous Vicki and Art Bomberger In memory of Judith Bergh: Sandra and Steve Weiner Sandra J. Lockwood Raul Garcia Michael Briselli and Rob and Carol Mitchell Joyce Wells Jeannee Sacken Steve and Michele Thrivent Financial In memory of my son Carol and James Young Zamzow on behalf of: Barbara Chance Francis: Brenda Zimmerman In honor of Maya: Edith Newbrand Cynthia Pett Dante and Bob Duerr In memory of Peter Dante Chris and Paul Batiste U.S. Bancorp on behalf of: In memory of Darlene Michalak: Donna Mack-Iwanski Henry Davies Mika Jankelow: Deborah Wankel Carol Almazan Susan Sweeney and her Mary Lee Dayton Kathi Snouffer Anne Dieter fourth grade biology class Xcel Energy on behalf of: Brian and Ellen Dietz In memory of Virginia Sheahan In honor of Sue Blomquist Dorene Eklund and Jan Carole Hodge Lucas: Valeria Tinney David Negrey’s Birthday: Walter Skovran Jean V. Ruth Pam Wilkening Michael Quaas In-Kind Donations Louise Fleming In memory of Makayla: In memory of Nyssa: In honor of Thunder, Lightning and Dave: Alexis Gershwin Barbara Chance Vicki and Art Bomberger Paul and Chris Batiste Bob Duerr Leslie Brown Amanda Giliotti In memory of Maya: In memory of Jerry Pinz: In honor of Michael Vieths: Caribou Coffee Johanna Goering Michele Amacker Farmington High School (42nd Ave. and Sharon Vieths Charles and Sharon Heck David and Kathryn In memory of JoAnn Towne: Winnetka Ave., New Hope) Anderson Bill Hubachek Joan and Stuart Grossfield Cicerón Vicki and Art Bomberger Matching Gifts Jeanie and Murray Kilgour Joanie Lelvinsohn Eric and Deborah and Foundations Ronald Edberg Martin R. Kraimer Campbell In memory of Ameriprise Financial Fastsigns Carol Carmichiel J. Wellington Young: Steven Laak on behalf of: General Mills Brian and Ellen Dietz Gerrie Kupper Eugene Lefebvre Kristine Elias Hoigaard’s Barbara and In memory of the 10 wolves Christy Los Cheryl Funk Marc Farley killed in Anchorage, Alaska: Dan Humay Erik Johnson Larry and Sandi Maloney Susan Fetterer LEKI USA Renate Spires Brian Ogren Emilie and Cindy Manke Deborah Manisto Joseph Gelwicks Shannin Seeholzer Sylvia Manning Honorary National Camera Exchange Maeva Heizer The Andrews Family Dave Mech Sharon Hibbard In honor of Foundation Rolf Peterson Diana Bowe’s birthday: John Mikolich Gloria Keiser General Mills on behalf of: Sexton Printing Kathleen Kerns Colleen Bottolfson Thomas and Victoria Dorene Eklund Spectrum Screen Printing O’Connell Deborah Wold Lewis In honor of Pam Churn: Deborah Wells Super One Foods, Robert E. Patterson Sandra J. Lockwood Lorianne Churn Superior, Wisconsin Marilyn Morgan JP Morgan Chase Rolf and Carolyn Peterson In honor of on behalf of: Susan A. Myers Susan Colwell’s birthday: Estates Deborah Reynolds Geoffrey Shaver Susan M. Pelligrinelli Tina Ireland Ted and Linda Rockwell Gale Henning Estate Trust Raquel Pfaff Chevron on behalf of: Victoria Rosskam In honor of Nancy Gibson Evelyn Jacobsen Dana Pond and Ron Sternal; thank you for Sandra G. Szymanski Carolyn L. Jagodits Martha Schoonover Kathy Rundquist being such great neighbors: IBM Corporation Gary Seevers Brigitte Sandager John and Linda Rebane on behalf of: Clarence and Kathleen and Michael A “get well” wish for Corey Roeder Sharon Seigle Shopa Kim Goodbrandson: Richard Salz Ted and Barbara David Smith Spaulding Seven Oaks General Hospital staff Fran Stofflet Susan Sweeney and her fourth grade Nancy jo Tubbs biology class Ray and Deb Wells Kelley Tees Jan Young Caroline Terry Thank You!

International Wolf Fall 2011 13 Tracking the Pack

How Does One Enrich the have learned that packs with during social interaction… individual wolves testing In fact, submission itself may Behavior of a Pack of Two? each other can create active be as important as domi- dominance and many oppor- nance in terms of promoting by Lori Schmidt, wolf curator, tunities for visitor observa- friendly relations or reducing International Wolf Center tion. Calm behavior means social distance. A pair of limited conflicts, limited socially compatible individ- he question of how Grizzer and the challenge of vocalization, limited guarding uals will frequently demon- Tone enriches a wolf managing an exhibit with and limited threat displays. strate their social bonds pack of two was recently only two ambassador wolves, What’s left is social interac- through active and passive posed through email and is Aidan and Denali, born in tion, but this does not mean submission.” Behaviors to extremely relevant to the April 2008. less interaction. Based on our identify include rolling on management of the summer One might ask why there experience with the 1993 their backs, submissive 2011 Exhibit Pack at the is even a need to enrich a litter and its retirement, the pawing, wagging tails, face International Wolf Center. pack of two? The challenge exhibit may be different but licking (similar to the food Those of you following the is not with the wolves; Aidan not less valuable. begging done as pups), inhib- Center’s ambassador wolves and Denali are socially com- In a May 2000 article by ited muzzle biting and jaw via the Web site (www.wolf. patible and display very calm L. David Mech entitled sparring. In fact, as visitors org) are aware of recent behavior. The issue relates to “Alpha Status, Dominance observe these interactions, changes in the dynamics of the perception of the dyna- and Division of Labor in they may be more inclined to the pack. The International mics that occur between the Wolf Packs,” Mech writes: comprehend the social nature Wolf Center faced a chal- wolves and how these “The only consistent demon- of wolves. lenging winter with the loss dynamics might influence stration of rank in natural Thus to answer the ques- of Maya, early retirement of the visitor experience. We packs is the animals’ postures tion posed by our emailer: There is really no need to further enrich this pair of wolves’ behavior, but to enhance the visitor experience, we will be conducting an enclosure enrichment program at 1 p.m. daily from June 15 through August 14. n International Wolf Center International Wolf Visitors observe wolf behavior following the daily enrichment program.

Aidan and Denali inspect minnows added to International Wolf Center International Wolf control algae blooms in the exhibit pond.

14 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org Hiking the Roof of Africa in Search of Ethiopian Wolves

by Nancy Gibson

An Ethiopian wolf peers across the Afroalpine landscape. Rebecca Jackrel

ERITREA YEMEN he ground seems to be moving its demise. Only a dismal number of SUDAN at first glance. It is daybreak with Ethiopian wolves, 400 to 500, remain a layer of frost disguising the in six distinct remote areas separated DJIBOUTI T waves of tunnels. Then small noses by hundreds of miles and millions of Ethiopia emerge, poised to find fresh grass that people. SOMALIA will be worth the risk of exposure. Ethiopia is a fragile democracy Addis Ababa They are noses of grass rats, and dozens sandwiched between Somalia and start appearing while raptors survey Sudan. We have been warned to stay Bale Mountains National Park their chances for a meal. But over the clear of the border countries as we are ridge, comes a new threat: an Ethiopian there to find wolves, not trouble. I say, wolf. I thought years of watching “we” because my husband, Ron Sternal, wolves would provide me an advantage couldn’t pass on this adventure. How- that would allow me to discern these ever, protesters in Egypt have just distinctively red-colored predators, yet ousted President Hosni Mubarak, and KENYA I am surprised at this animal’s camou- other Middle Eastern countries are flage. This experience will be unique. beset with unrest. This adds a new I keep a wish list of places that stir dimension to traveling in this part of my wanderlust. Favorite locations the world where using pepper spray need to have unusual wildlife, be as a deterrent will not be needed. remote and invite a slice of adventure Hence our adventure begins in and a dose of culture. Ethiopia is a February 2011 in search of the canid of perfect fit. Often called “the roof of many names, most often called the Africa,” Ethiopia is also home to the Simien jackal, Ethiopian jackal, red world’s most endangered canid: the jackal, Abyssinian wolf and the more Ethiopian wolf. common Ethiopian wolf. It is a distinc- Is it a true wolf? Taxonomists and tive species dressed in a brick-colored geneticists are currently engaged in coat that is soft and short. Juveniles further review of this question. Never- wear a lighter coat, and females turn a theless, being able to observe any yellowish tone during breeding season species on the brink of extinction is a in late summer and fall. The under challenge, not only to see the animal parts of the throat, a band around the but also to participate in preventing ventral part of the neck and the inside

International Wolf Fall 2011 15 A cart weighed of the limbs are white in sharp contrast down by goods and to its otherwise ruddy color. A silhou- passengers is led by a struggling donkey, ette would resemble a coyote with a common mode of broad pointed ears and elongated transportation. muzzle. Males weigh approximately 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms) and females, 28 pounds (12.7 kilograms). We have flown into Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. With an altitude Nancy Gibson of 7,000 feet (2,133.6 meters), it liter- ally takes our breath away, but it also starts to prepare us for the higher alti- tudes to come. The city is a mixture of some modern conveniences amid extreme poverty. Ever present on the roads are roaming goats, donkeys, cows and dogs. Fines are assessed if a car hits an animal, so weaving cars that stop and start suddenly are the norm. Ethiopians are proud their country was never colonized although Italy’s attempt to colonize it left some remnants of the Italian language. Ethiopia also has two main religions, Islam and Christianity, and 88 tribal cultures. We also learned that coffee was discovered and culti- vated in Ethiopia, and it is brewed to perfection every morning. Nancy Gibson Tents, sleeping bags and pads are Our favorite campsite, Rafu, was surrounded packed into our cars, and we hit the by towering volcanic rocks that locals called dusty trail. We feel a bit conspicuous in “soldiers.” Baboons were spotted at dawn in the rock crevasses, which likely attracted the our cars while hapless donkeys drag leopards that called during the night.

The rare mountain nyala spurred the designation for the habitat in Bale National Park and the Ethiopian wolves

Nancy Gibson are one of the beneficiaries.

Giant dark blue lobelias, which can grow up to 20 feet, dot

Rebecca Jackrel the landscape along with other spectacular endemic plants.

16 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org carts overflowing with people and She is most likely carrying a giant mole wares. We are headed on a seven- rat in her mouth, anxiously trying to hour drive to Bale Mountains National escape our human presence. Park in southeastern Ethiopia. The The giant mole rats make up a large park, established in 1971, was desig- part of this wolf’s diet. Both species are A giant mole rat is the favorite nated to protect the rare mountain diurnal. The mole rats forage while the food of Ethiopian wolves and numerous raptors. nyala, an antelope, which is called a lone wolves look for underground kudu in the southern parts of Africa. homes conspicuously advertised with That protection helped save habitat an opening on top. Wolves will pounce for the Ethiopian wolf, reedbucks, on the opening, press their ear to bushbucks, monkeys, hyenas, golden the ground, and dig and dig until they jackals, leopards, an array of birds and are rewarded with a 1.5-pound some of the most unusual plants I have (0.68-kilogram) rodent. Since these ever seen. The nearly 400-square-mile smaller wolves eat smaller prey, most of (1,024-square-kilometer) park is the the hunting is done by single wolves. last chance for many of these species There are 11 different Rebecca Jackrel in Ethiopia. species of endemic The Afroalpine meadows make up rodents, and their most of Bale Mountains National Park. robust populations This habitat is quite unique with its provide the basic open spaces formed by extensive lava food for many of the flows that formed distinct basalt rock predators. formations and two glacial periods that carved deep valleys, both modi- fied by water and wind erosion. The result is a stunning landscape; its beauty and serenity are hard to match. Towering lobelia plants dot the landscape, and the many varieties of grasses feed the wildlife. Our group is led by Professor Claudio Sillero, chair of the Canid Nancy Gibson Specialist Group designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, who has studied Ethiopian wolves for 20 years. He leads our group of wolf enthusiasts from around the world with varied interests in African wild dogs, Australian dingoes, hiking, nature and photography. Professor Sillero’s decades of work in this region and his hardy colleagues guarantee sightings of wolves. They do not disap- point. Just as we are unpacking our lunch, we are called to the top of the ridge. With our hearts pounding from excitement and altitude, we gasp at our first sighting of an adult female wolf traversing the valley. I can see her orange ear tag identifying her as a four- year-old member of the Osole pack.

A member of the Batu pack hears, digs and pursues prey, oblivious to her eager human photographers. The reward is a grass rat,

one of Bale National Park’s large rodents. Nancy Gibson

International Wolf Fall 2011 17 A four-month old pup from the Tarura pack approaches a sub-adult wolf for a

Rebecca Jackrel regurgitated meal, most likely a rodent.

Our first hike is to a den site 4.5 notice us and quickly escape. We catch miles (7.23 kilometers) away. The hill- up to find the four tired pups lying in side is marked with trails leading to the open when the sub-adult returns a series of holes that held the pups four with a prized mole rat for the pups. months ago. The scat and bones are Wolf regurgitation is a global activity. familiar signs from other wolf dens. Since the adults tend to hunt alone It takes a village and during daylight hours, most of “It Takes a Village” is the appro- our observations are of a single wolf or priate title of our next phase of travel. a pair of wolves. On the third day, our We are assigned small thin horses, luck changes and we spot our first bridled with a long rope that is looped pack. The Taura pack is missing the between the mouth and chin with breeding female, but the adult and enough leftover rope for a whip. No subordinate male lead the four pups on thanks. Cooks, horsemen and camp a hunt. With no cover, the wolves help, resembling a small army, depart

Nancy Gibson for our remote campsites. To Professor Sillero’s credit, this local employment After a 4.5 mile means the community will protect (7.23-kilometer) hike across the the local resources, which include the Web Valley, we find wolves. It is a 12-mile (19.3-kilometer) the wolf den that ride to camp, but the terrain requires was active a few lots of hiking, a welcome relief from months ago. the wooden saddles. Elevation is close to 12,000 feet (3,657.6 meters). The East Morebawa region consists of thick scrub plants, lava-filled streams

Rebecca Jackrel and wide spaces. A hearty evening hike Professor Claudio Sillero’s horses are adorned with colorful into the valley rewards us with three bridles and more comfortable saddles than the author’s. juvenile wolves.

18 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org We brave the freezing dawn temper- in 11 different packs, which equates to atures to find the Fotoro pack before 10 percent of all of the wolves living in the wolves leave their sleeping spot. Bale Mountains National Park. Noisy humans in our group, untrained The fate of Ethiopian wolves is in in wildlife-watching etiquette, spoil the hands of humans. Canine distemper our wolf viewing. It is our only gripe and rabies from roaming domestic about this adventure. dogs have taken a serious toll on Next we climb up and across the the wolves. Encroaching humans and Sanetti Plateau through unmatched livestock competing for the native beauty in every direction. Small klip- grasses that feed the wolf’s prey could springer antelopes and hyrax (a pint- spell disaster. Lack of laws and enforce- sized relative of the elephant) dot the ment add to the doom and gloom.

hillsides. Our campsite is magnificent! Ecotourism that provides an Rebecca Jackrel It is surrounded by towering basalt alternative source of income may formations the locals call “the soldiers.” be the best solution for Ethiopian A Bohor reedbuck inhabits some of the Caves and crevasses house baboons, wolves. It is hard to imagine these lower elevations of and leopards call in the distance. A full wolves losing their last grip on Bale National Park. moon tops off the evening. Can any- Earth. It boils down to conserva- place be more perfect? tion and education once again. We ride through a couple of wolf To learn more, please visit: pack territories, and the wolves seem a www.ethiopianwolf.org. n bit more comfortable with us on horse- Ron Sternal is saddled up next back. We hear our first vocalization, Nancy Gibson, author and to one of the which simulates a familiar high-pitched naturalist, has served on the distinctive bark howl. After a week of camping, International Wolf Center’s board volcanic rock we return to the research hut and bid of directors since 1987. She was formations. goodbye to our horses and some of the instrumental in raising the neces- sary funds to build the Center, crew. The next day in the comfort of was one of the Center’s first board jeeps, we see wolves from four different chairs and has served on most of packs, a real bonus. Our successful its committees. She also conducts adventure is coming to a close, but we educational programs for the

have been fortunate to site 30 wolves Center. Nancy Gibson

A somewhat leery wolf hunkers down in the grass hoping we don’t notice. Rebecca Jackrel

International Wolf Fall 2011 19 I was not worried about most of the Papa and the Crooked Lake Wolves students; they all seemed pretty brave about the solo idea. There were only by Marja Olsen-Nelson two students who would require special attention, I thought. Dave, the football star, was acting just a little too Editor’s note: This article was reprinted with unraked; the shutters on the south macho to be for real, and Patti, the permission from the Boundary Waters Jour- side of the cabin hung stripped and drama student and debutante from nal’s spring 1993 issue and involves a wolf ready to be painted; dead birch trees Virginia, looked frightened to the core. encounter in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters lined the driveway, waiting patiently She had started the trip with 17 sets of Canoe Area Wilderness. to be felled for firewood. How he had clean underwear and had never spent loved that cabin. a night outside the city before this trip; s we paddled down river from I thought, why can’t I remember slim and petite, with a soft southern Basswood Falls past the picto- what he looked like? What is wrong voice and a warm smile, she was every- Agraphs, heading for Wednesday with me? I lived with Papa and one’s favorite. One reason she had Bay of Crooked Lake, I tried to remem- Grandma every summer while grow- come on this Outward Bound course ber Papa. It had been a smooth trip so ing up, knowing them almost as well was to overcome her own fears and self far, and that morning had been a good as my own parents. All I could seem doubt. Three days of solo in the wilder- time to drift along and reflect. We did to remember was the vivid image of ness would be a test of that resolve. not know then how dramatically this his folded hands in the coffin, so cold We set out again, paddling and quiet spell would be broken before the and dry. portaging all afternoon. I still could not trip was over. Sitting stiffly in the back shake the feeling of loss and loneliness, of the canoe, my mind was in a cold the mental block of repressed memory, stupor because I could not see Papa’s and grew morose and finally angry face, could not hear his voice, could with myself. So I put it all aside when place no moment in time with him. It we arrived, threw myself into setting was as if he had never existed. up camp, starting supper, and listening Our canoe lagged behind the rest of to someone’s life story. This was to the Outward Bound group, paddling have been our last night together for a under low gray clouds in a steady rain. while and the group was full of nervous My fellow instructor’s mind was also energy, trying to talk themselves a million miles away. We paddled in through their fears, full of a thousand silence, letting the college kids in the questions. We sat up late talking brigade race ahead. In spite of the around a low crackling fire, listening to weather, they laughed and called to The brigade stopped for lunch at the loons call to each other. A great each other, taking detours to check noon at an old voyageur site called horned owl landed in a dead tree down out beaver lodges and osprey nests. I Table Rock and checked the maps could not share their exuberance. under a hastily strung tarp. We would Papa had died early in the spring easily make our destination by early when most of the snow was melted evening. The weather was beginning but the ice was still on the lakes. He to clear, and the students were strong died before the ritual opening of the paddlers now after a week in the cabin up north without putting in the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe dock one more time. The fall leaves, Area Wilderness). We were headed for Michael Mees, meesphotography.com still wet and matted from the snow, lay a secluded lake south of Crooked by the lakeshore and settled in to watch where the brigade would undergo for unwary mice scavenging for bread “solo,” an experience where they crumbs around the campsite. It was a would be totally alone for three days. full moon and colder than it had been Becky Johnson

20 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org International Wolf in the bays, and it was so quiet that in thebays,anditwassoquietthat whenmistformed crisp mornings to findsolosites.Itwasoneofthose gourmet oatmealbreakfast andsetout together inbasecamp. settledinforalastnight everyone sleeping bagsfeltwarmandcozyas since thetripstarted.Thetentand At daylight we got everyone a a At daylightwegoteveryone

other, takingdetourstocheckout We paddledinsilence,lettingthe they laughed and called to each they laughedandcalledtoeach beaver lodgesandosprey nests. college kids in the brigade race college kidsinthebrigaderace ahead. Inspiteoftheweather, Fall 2011

Gary Meyer

21 22 Fall 2011

paper workfortheinstructorstodo, in foralongwait.There wasalways location andnothaveafire. each student were areminder tostayatthat to words parting Our other. meters) apart and could not see each all atleastaquartermile (0.4 kilo- As wecircled back,thestudentswere too, would be closeto the basecamp. in all.Pattiweleftuntillastsoherside, spaced out the rest of the group, eight closest toourcampsiteand gradually ately leftDaveatthefirst rocky point tones, almostinwhispers.We deliber instinctivelytalkedinlow Everyone thwart ofacanoesoundedloud. even the sound ofapaddlehitting the We headed back to camp and settled www.wolf.org - Becky Johnson gear to clean and re-arrange, and books The next day we set out early to to read. It was a good feeling to be away make the rounds, paddling the shore- from the students for a few hours, to line to each solo site. Our procedure relax and enjoy the sunshine, and to be was to canoe by at a distance except alone with our own thoughts. In the when the students requested that we afternoon we talked about each student come in. Just as I suspected, Dave at length, what they were getting out wanted to talk. The wolves had been of the course, what they were contrib- very close to his site and on the same uting, and what they needed from us. shore. He claimed he could still hear

The day passed quickly and we turned Sherry Jokinen them moving about in the woods. He in about midnight. had not slept much that night and I was no sooner asleep when One wolf stood out from the others, wondered if he would not be better off suddenly I was pulled fully awake, perhaps the breeding male. Larger back in base camp for a while. With sitting up with my heart pounding and darker than the rest of the pack, a little persuading, he agreed to stay fiercely. The full throaty cry of a howling he walked proudly and other wolves put and we continued our rounds. The wolf rang in my ears! It seemed almost deferred to him. The first time I others were OK. The wolves had not outside the tent. The sound stopped distinctly heard him howl alone, the sounded all that close, and the students and then started again, this time with hair on the back of my neck stood on seemed to like the idea of being there a different voice, and then another, end, and time seemed to stop. That with them. I was still worried about and another. There were many of them sound was so primitive and free it Patti as we rounded the last point and and they were close! epitomized for me everything I trea- approached her site. In fact, I was just At first I was terrified, but then sure in wilderness. a little relieved to see her standing on gradually realized they were not right Then he howled again, and for the shore and waving us in. We paddled in camp. We were set up on one shore some strange and wonderful reason, at up expecting her to be frightened. of a horseshoe shaped bay at the end that very instant I saw Papa’s face as I What we found instead was a of the lake. The far shore of the bay always knew him. Each time the leader woman with her hands on her hips, was only about a hundred yards (91.5 of the pack howled, my mind was filled a smile on her face, and joy in her meters) away by water, but longer away with memories of Papa. The warm voice. She laughed and almost cried by land. Getting brave, I stuck my head summer days when he taught me to with excitement. “Wasn’t it wonderful,” out of the tent door and saw wolves on swim, the quiet talks in the morning she said. “I have never felt so alive, so that far shore. We decided it was safe over his favorite blueberry pancakes, privileged. I’ll remember this for the to go outside and listen. We came out rummaging through his tool shed rest of my life.” of the tent and watched wolves in the looking for a rake more my size, long Yes, I thought, and I will remember moonlight. The display seemed like it walks in the woods. Papa was not gone, too. I will always remember Papa and might go on for some time so we carried he was still there, I could remember the Crooked Lake wolves. n our sleeping bags down to the shore- him now, how he smiled, and shook line and settled in to watch. when he laughed, and helped his Marja Olsen-Nelson worked at Outward We could see them quite clearly, granddaughter learn to appreciate Bound for 10 years as a field instructor in moving about on a small rocky point of nature. I thought, I love you Papa, I’ll the BWCAW and Big Bend National Park the shore directly across from our always cherish your memory, thanks in Texas. Olsen-Nelson taught canoeing for everything. and kayaking programs for women with camp. The pups were running lazily, cancer, battered women, youth-at-risk, chasing each other. The others— Goodbye. Goodbye. I looked once and college students. She is currently sitting, standing, sniffing the air— again to the far shore and they were a speech communications instructor would occasionally stop, point their gone. A cool wind made the moonlight at Vermilion Community College. She muzzle at the moon and howl. At one shimmer on the water and there was lives in Ely with her husband, Jeff, and point it would be a cacophony of sound silence in the night. It was time to go to their two daughters Lily Beth (13) and filled with whines and yelps, and at bed. In the morning we would need Anna Mae (11), who often travel in the other moments more of a harmonizing to see what the students had made of BWCAW with their grandfather. of sounds with one voice seeming to this wilderness serenade. build on another.

International Wolf Fall 2011 23 grams. We have also developed two Wolves, Wildlands and Technology new curriculum offerings with the soft- ware Moodle that will be free to the by Jerritt Johnston, director of education public beginning late this summer. These multi-media offerings allow echnology. It surrounds us. Technology’s ability to connect students to work at their own speed From Facebook to the iPhone people with science-based information and give teachers the information they Tto the GPS units mounted on about wolves and wildlands is undeni- need to assess student learning. our dashboards, many of us are nearly able. The Center’s Web site (www.wolf. But technology can’t do everything. always plugged in. The speed of tech- org) averages over 50,000 unique visits It is essential that people have hands- nological development and our immer- per month. Having the ability to reach on experience and a personal connec- sion in it has had a tremendous impact that number of people 25 years ago tion to the outdoors. A picture of wolf on our lives. would have been unimaginable. The scat can never replace seeing it in the That same rush forward in tech- increase in social networking sites such wild and investigating it firsthand. nology has affected wolf research and as Facebook has increased the speed Without that connection to nature, education. How do those of us with with which we can deliver information people will never know the importance the responsibility of disseminating the to people and our ability to directly of habitat preservation and the neces- newest and most accurate information interact with people around the globe. sity of wildlands to the wolf’s survival. balance the use of technology with the Our Web site and Facebook page To that end, we continue to offer important need to physically connect continue to be places for like-minded programming at our interpretive individuals with wolves and wildlands? people to connect, share information center in Ely as well as wolf viewing While most researchers continue to and ideas and help spread the word destinations in North America. use the well-developed and thoroughly about wolf conservation worldwide. Whether it’s kids getting their hands understood methods of trapping Along with our Web presence, the (and much more) dirty on a bog walk and tracking wolves and their prey, Center is always looking to leverage or an adult hearing the howl of a wolf advancements are taking place all new technologies to increase our reach in the wild for the first time, we know the time. GPS collars are becoming and deepen the impact of our educa- these experiences will last a lifetime, more prevalent, thermal images are tional efforts. So far in 2011, we have and we hope the lessons learned will being used to study the effect of mange connected with over 1,500 students be remembered that long, too. n and advances in the study of genetics with our live videoconferencing pro- are fundamentally changing our under- standing of wolf species. International Wolf Center International Wolf Tara Johnson, program specialist, uses a digital annotator to focus on wolf behavior as she conducts a video-conferencing session with

a classroom of middle school students St. Cloud, Minnesota. Robert Weselmann

24 Fall 2011 www.wolf.org