The Quarterly Publication of the International Wolf Center Volume 19, No. 3 Fall 2009 Features Departments Insurance for the 3 From the 4 Genetic Future of the Executive Director Endangered Mexican Wolf 15 Tracking the Pack The Director of Research at the St. Louis Zoo discusses her team’s fascinating work with captive breeding and the reproduc- 17 Wolves of the World tive management of the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf. Book Review Jackie F allon Cheryl Asa, Ph.D. 20 Straight Talk from Ed Bangs 21 Personal Experience 8 The Wolf Recovery Coordinator for the northern Rockies takes 23 A Look Beyond on the tough questions about wolf recovery and management in the West.

Ed Bangs On the Cover A Close Encounter An Iranian wolf in northern Iran’s Golestan National Park. 17 with a Rare Wolf Photo by Edwin Winkel. While driving through a blinding snowstorm in northern Iran, a Edwin Winkel is a Dutch wildlife wildlife photographer suddenly sees an elusive Iranian wolf. photographer and journalist, who specializes in photographing Edwin Winkel nearctic (North American) and palearctic (Eurasian) animals. Contact Edwin at [email protected].

E dwin Winkel 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] Jackie F allon What secrets did the wolves of the High Arctic reveal? id the researchers find a wolf pack to observe? Did the pack have pups? Were abundant numbers of muskoxen and arctic hares present on the vast, rugged expanses of land here in the farthest Publications Director reachesD of the north? Mary Ortiz Veteran Ellesmere biologists Dave Mech and Dean Cluff sought answers Magazine Coordinator to these questions and more as they began Dave’s 24th consecutive year of Sharon Reed the Ellesmere Island Arctic Wolf Research Expedition July 3 – 17, 2009. Graphics Coordinator The study area where the two researchers spent two weeks is a region so Carissa L.Winter remote that the nearest permanent human community is far to the south. Consulting Editors Here, at 80 degrees north latitude, the sun never sets in summer – and in Cornelia Hutt and Tracy O’Connell winter, 24 hours of darkness blanket the landscape. Technical Editor To learn what secrets were revealed, follow Dave and Dean’s notes from L. David Mech the field, http://internationalwolfcenter.blogspot.com/. n Graphic Designer Tricia Austin

International Wolf (1089-683X) is published quarterly and copyrighted, 2009, by the International Wolf Center, 3410 Winnetka Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55427, USA. e-mail: [email protected]. All rights reserved.

Publications agreement no. 1536338 Dean C luff 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 $1000. 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; e-mail: [email protected]; phone: 1-800-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 Mary Ortiz, publications director. 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 2009 www.wolf.org INTERNATIONAL From the Executive Director WOLF CENTER Board of Directors Nancy jo Tubbs Chair Dr. L. David Mech Change Vice Chair Cree Bradley By Mary Ortiz, Executive Director Secretary “Nothing endures but change.” Paul B. Anderson — Heraclitus, 540 BC-480 BC Treasurer Dr. Larry Anderson hange is constant— it endures. On June 26, 2009, just a few weeks ago, the Tom Dwight U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reached a settlement agreement Amy Bromberg Funk with plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the 2009 removal of the gray wolf C Nancy Gibson from Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection in the Western Great Lakes. I suspect that by the time this article is in print, the court will have approved the agreement, and Hélène Grimaud the USFWS will have provided an additional public review and Jim Hammill comment period. During this 60-day period, wolves will be returned Cornelia “Neil” Hutt to threatened status in Minnesota and endangered status elsewhere in Dean Johnson the region–again. Linda Lemke The International Wolf Center is also in a state of change. Our Dania Miwa exciting and challenging 24-year history includes many times of great Dr. Rolf O. Peterson change—the opening of an interpretive center, a building expan- Mike Phillips sion, the launching of a Web site and the development of distance Debbie Reynolds learning programs. Just last December, I was elected to be the new Jerry Sanders executive director by the Center’s board of directors. While “new” is Paul Schurke the correct description, “old” may be a better characterization! Well, Paul Sletten Mary Ortiz let’s just say “experienced.” I have worked at the Center for more Ted Spaulding than 22 years in virtually every capacity except wolf curator. Lori Schmidt rightfully Teri Williams deserves that distinguished honor. For me, the Center’s future seems full of opportunity for exciting innovations in Executive Director education about wolves and wildlands. Globally, education itself is changing. Virtual Mary Ortiz schools are becoming more common and can better reach diverse audiences including disabled children and adults, home-schooled students, and rural schools. Mission Through videoconferencing, educators at the Center can teach and talk with The International Wolf students who are able to see our wolf ambassadors in real time. However, visitors to Center advances the survival the Center will never forget an experienced educator sharing personal knowledge of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their about the wolf, or the real howl of a wolf close by. A 2008 report from the International relationship to wildlands and the Association for K-12 Online Learning (INACOL) stated, “The blended approach human role in their future. combines the best elements of online and face-to-face learning. It is likely to emerge as the predominant model of the future—to become far more common than either Educational services and one alone.” We at the Center are proud to present a blend of personal and virtual informational resources are available at: wolf experiences worldwide. 1396 Highway 169 As Carol Burnett once said, “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA I would adapt the quotation to say, “Only we humans can change the future of wolves. 1-800-ELY-WOLF No one else can do it for us.” Our 1-218-365-4695 individual and collective concern e-mail address: for the survival of wolves must [email protected] remain constant. n Web site: http://www.wolf.org

International Wolf Fall 2009 3 ecause recovery and reintro- duction programs are underway Bfor several endangered canids in the U.S., now is an exciting time for those of us working with canids at Captive Breeding the Saint Louis Zoo. To date, the most notable success has been the gray wolf’s return to Yellowstone, initiated by translocating animals from Canada. and But perhaps less widely known are programs for the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi), a subspecies of the Reproductive more familiar gray wolf; the red wolf (C. rufus); and the island fox (Urocyon littoralis), a smaller relative of the gray Management fox. The programs for these three species are notable because recovery has depended on captive breeding. of the Mexican and red wolves were believed extinct in the wild, but the few captive individuals have served as Mexican Gray Wolf founders in recovery of those species. When island fox numbers dropped in the late 1990’s, captive breeding pro- by Cheryl Asa, Ph.D., ceeded, while the causes of mortality Director of Research, Saint Louis Zoo were identified and mitigated to augment the number of animals avail- able for reintroduction. Our work with Mexican wolves began in 1990 when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invited our lab to maintain a frozen semen bank. Since then we have collected semen from 65 males. Routine semen analyses prior to freezing each sample have produced a wealth of data that now serve as refer- Wild C anid enter ence values. We rely mostly on methods developed and tested on domestic dog samples, but given the importance of each Mexican wolf sample, we needed to validate the techniques first. Although domestic counterparts are a good place to begin and a good reference point, they are not identical to their wild rela- tives, so validation is still needed. Luckily for us, because the Mexican wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf, we had a very closely related species that might help. Thus we developed a partnership with the Wildlife Science Center in Forest Lake, Minnesota, where there are gray wolves available for research. As improvements in hand- ling and preserving dog semen are developed, we can evaluate whether they also represent improvements for wolf semen. We then apply the new

4 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org techniques to genetically valuable which meant that our Mexican wolf The current captive Mexican wolves Mexican wolves. males might not be fully fertile. In are all descendents of six or seven Unexpected benefits of these addition, semen quality was related to original founders. This small number studies were results that alerted us to the degree of inbreeding in the Mexican of founders in itself would be cause a problem in Mexican wolf sperm. wolves; that is, males that were more for concern, but compounding the We noticed that generally gray wolf inbred had poorer quality semen. problem, those founders were bred in semen samples appeared to be of Although it is widely accepted that three separate lineages before the better quality than those of Mexican inbreeding can affect the health and recovery program was established. Not wolves, so we made statistical compar- even the survival of offspring, it had until the late 1990’s, after each lineage isons. The Mexican wolves had more not been associated in wolves with could be verified by genetic testing as abnormal sperm cells and fewer motile something like sperm structure and pure Mexican wolf, could wolves of sperm. These are both features neces- function. sary for successful fertilization, Jackie F allon Jackie F allon Jackie F allon Wild C anid enter

Dr. Cheryl Asa (left) electrostimulates a wolf with the assistance of Peggy Callahan (right). St. L ouis Zoo staff

International Wolf Fall 2009 5

different lineages be crossbred. As the possible. If indeed the excess prostate insemination. Probably the older male offspring of lineage crosses reached fluid proves to be the problem, we will was no longer fertile, but he remained puberty, we found that their sperm explore means to counter its effect. important as a social partner. Perhaps quality was as good as that of the gray Of course, banked semen is of little more importantly, he did not seem to wolves, further implicating inbreeding value if it cannot be used to inseminate recognize that the pups were not his. as responsible. One of our graduate females, so we also needed to develop He was very solicitous of the pups students then used studbook records methods for artificial insemination. and proved to be an excellent dad. We to analyze all the factors we could For domestic dogs, the best day(s) of a could not have asked for more! identify that might affect reproductive female’s ovulatory cycle for insemina- Until recently, only male gametes success. She found that sperm quality tion is determined by samples collected (sperm) could be preserved. However, and inbreeding were two of the most each day. However, daily sampling is with improvements in a special freezing important. These results emphasize not feasible with wolves because daily process called vitrification, it became how important it is to carefully manage anesthesia can be stressful. Instead, possible to cryopreserve eggs. Canids the genetic composition of small we use hormone treatment to stimulate are not ideal for this approach, though, captive populations. estrus and ovulation for timed insemi- because their eggs have proven espe- As we continued to compare results nations. We first tried the technique cially difficult to culture for fertiliza- from our wolf research to those from with gray wolves at the Wildlife Science tion outside a parent’s body (“in vitro”). domestic dogs, a difference became Center and produced the first offspring However, in the meantime, the Mexican obvious. Sperm cells from dogs re- from a wild species using this method. wolf recovery program is concerned mained motile much longer than sperm It had previously only been used in that some aging female Mexican wolves specimens from either gray or Mexican domestic horses and dogs. that are extremely valuable genetically wolves, regardless of whatever degree The main purpose of the Mexican have left few if any offspring. Even of inbreeding they showed. Labs wolf semen bank is genetic insurance though their ova cannot be fertilized working with domestic dogs reported for the future. Artificial insemination is today using current methods, we can at that dog sperm could survive for days, not routinely used in current breeding- least preserve them until successful but samples from our wolves lived only management strategies. However, a few methods are developed. We are opti- for hours. To determine what might years ago it proved to be the best option mistic since so many dog owners are be responsible for the difference, we for an unusual case. A female Mexican willing to help fund the research. are collaborating with one of those labs wolf that was very valuable genetically First, we practiced the technique, to directly compare dog to wolf semen. had been introduced to several males which requires some specialized skills, We think the difference may be excess but had refused all of them. She finally on eggs from gray wolves at the Wildlife prostate fluid produced during electro- bonded with an older male, although Science Center. Then we began vitri- ejaculation, the technique necessary he was not a good genetic match. Still, fying eggs and ovarian tissue from to collect semen from wolves while because of her genetic value to the some of the most valuable Mexican anesthetized. Too much of this fluid population, it was important for her to wolf females rather than risk losing can damage sperm. Dog semen is col- produce pups before she became too their genes entirely. We could not lected by manual stimulation, which old. When we saw her mating with fertilize any of the eggs to determine allows the part that contains the most the male, we also inseminated her with whether handling and freezing had prostate fluid to be separated from semen from a male that was a better damaged them, but we could confirm the rest of the sample. However, wolf genetic match. The most we expected they survived by thawing representa- samples have to be collected during was a litter of mixed paternity. How- tive samples and testing them for anesthesia, so manual collection and ever, genetic testing showed that all viability. We were thrilled to see that prostate-fluid separation are not three pups were sired by artificial they were indeed still alive, which

Unexpected benefits of these studies were results that alerted us to a problem in Mexican wolf sperm.

6 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org means those still preserved in liquid fertile and need to be moved or contra- the more immediate problem. We never nitrogen can be considered candidates ception initiated to prevent unintended have a chance to get bored! n for in-vitro maturation and fertilization pregnancies. As this example shows, our in the future. role with the recovery program evolves Cheryl Asa, Ph.D., is the Director Although these examples focus on to respond as problems emerge. By of Research at the Saint Louis Zoo enhancing reproduction, we sometimes careful planning, we usually can also in St. Louis, MO. have to control or limit reproduction. add to the general understanding of There currently is a moratorium on wolf reproductive biology as we solve reintroducing additional Mexican wolves into the wild. That means there also has to be a moratorium on captive breeding since the captive population is at carrying capacity. In terms of animal well-being it is espe- cially important that for wolves, that typically pair-bond for long periods, we not rely on separating males and females Jackie F allon Jackie F allon for the several months of the courtship and breeding season. To Jackie F allon allow these pairs to remain together, we can use contraception to prevent pregnancy. The most commonly used product is Suprelorin (deslorelin: Peptech Animal Health, Australia), a compound that first briefly stimulates, then down-regulates reproductive hormones. Although it can be effective in either males or females, it is used more often in females because only one ovulatory event needs to be blocked rather than continual suppression of sperm production. Recently there have been several cases of male wolves producing semen at unexpected times, resulting in preg- nancies despite the breeding morato- rium. Thus it will be important for us to systematically evaluate males to delineate their timing of sperm produc- tion. The results are critical to managers for determining when animals are

For artificial insemination, oocytes from female wolves must be carefully collected and preserved. C heryl A sa

International Wolf Fall 2009 7 Editor’s Note: Ed Bangs, the U.S. Fish A and Wildlife Service’s Wolf Chat Recovery Coordinator for the northern Rockies, has been at the epicenter of controversy over with wolf recovery and management in the northern Rockies for Ed Bangs more than two decades.

Here we present an interview with him about the recent delisting of that population.

Ed Bangs has studied wolves since 1976 and believes people management is much more complex than wolf management. B ill R ogers

8 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org IWC: How many years have you IWC: Why do you support the well over 1,000 wolves. In addition, been the U.S. Fish and Wildlife delisting of the NRM wolf the USFWS would initiate a review Service (USFWS) Wolf Recovery population? to determine if relisting is warranted Coordinator for the northern if threats (such as excessive levels of Bangs: The Endangered Species Act Rockies? human-caused mortality due to changes (ESA) did its job and restored wolves in state laws or regulations) signifi- Bangs: I worked with wolf issues as a to the NRM. However the ESA isn’t a cantly increase. refuge biologist in Alaska from 1976 to good tool to manage and conserve 1988. I’ve been working on wolf issues recovered wildlife populations. I IWC: How were these in the U.S. northern Rocky Mountains strongly believe state and tribal man- criteria derived? [NRM] for nearly 21 years now. agement is the best tool for the future conservation of wolves. Just as those Bangs: Exhaustively–and throughout IWC: What is the current status of programs have benefitted elk, deer, the 20-year process of recovery. The the NRM wolf population? black bears, and mountain lions, they 1980 recovery plan simply had wolves offer the brightest future for conserva- (undefined numbers) being restored Bangs: In late 2008, the NRM wolf tion of recovered wolf populations in to the large blocks of public lands population was estimated to contain the lower 48 states. Wolves and all of throughout the NRM where conflict is about 1,645 wolves in nearly 217 packs us would benefit by taking wolves off rare. The 1987 recovery team devel- (two or more wolves with a territory). their pedestal and considering them oped the first numeric criteria (simply Ninety-five of these packs also classi- just one part of our nation’s wildlife 10 pairs capable of breeding in each fied as breeding pairs (packs confirmed heritage. of three small distinct recovery areas) to have at least an adult male, adult using literature review, professional female, and 2 pups on December 31). IWC: What are the biological The NRM wolf population is a three- recovery criteria? part metapopulation, filling nearly all the core areas of suitable habitat in Bangs: Based on the most current about 110,000 square miles of north- science and thinking, the NRM western Montana, central Idaho and re­­covery criteria have been modified the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). and improved at least five times since The most distinct subpopulation in the they were first developed in 1980. The NRM is the GYA, but the territories of current minimum recovery criterion persistent breeding pairs in GYA and is a three-state wolf metapopulation central Idaho are often within 60 miles with connectivity between the states. of each other, which is the average In each state, the wolf population dispersal distance for NRM wolves. must never go below 10 breeding pairs The GYA had 449 wolves as of Dec (an adult male and female that raise 31, 2008. Wolves have dispersed from at least two pups until December 31) and bred amongst all the three recovery and 100 wolves in mid-winter and is

areas. In addition, central Idaho and managed for at least 15 breeding pairs A nn R asberry northwestern Montana are connected and 150 wolves. This means if every by routine dispersal to the contiguous state managed at the lowest possible western Canadian wolf population level at the same time the theoretical that contains 12,000 wolves in British lowest possible NRM wolf population Columbia and Alberta. Collectively, (which is virtually impossible) would the NRM is distinct in the lower 48 be over 45 breeding pairs and over 450 United States because it is surrounded wolves. However, delisting was based by large expanses of unsuitable habitat on Montana’s intent to manage for in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, about 400 wolves, Idaho for over 520 Colorado, and the Dakotas. wolves, and the continued USFWS management in Wyoming that will maintain about 300 wolves. Under the most pessimistic scenario, the NRM would still be managed long term for

International Wolf Fall 2009 9 opinion, and peer review. In 1992 our of either natural or man-induced IWC: Shouldn’t the wolf chief scientist and recognized wolf genetic connectivity. In 2002 we began population be much larger expert, Dr. Steve Fritts, conducted a measuring recovery by each state to to avoid genetic inbreeding? thorough scientific analysis that ensure equitable distribution, enhance Bangs: No. Much smaller wolf popula- included reviewing all the literature natural connectivity, and increase tions than the NRM have done just and advice from 25 North American the overall portion of wolves in the fine for centuries. We deliberately wolf experts. Dr. Fritts published his more distinct GYA. In 2008-2009 we maximized genetic diversity in the analysis in our 1994 Congressionally- further increased the number of wolves NRM through management relocations mandated Environmental Impact each state should manage for by from 1999-2001; through the way in Statement and in a peer-reviewed publi- 50% to provide additional safeguards. which we conducted the reintroduc- cation. The definition of a breeding pair We also developed a signed agreement tions to Yellowstone and central Idaho; was substantially modified based on to enhance opportunities for natural and through providing for enhanced his analysis. In 2001-2002, I repeated genetic and demographic exchange opportunity for natural dispersal. In Dr. Fritts’ analysis and received advice and to monitor genetic diversity. To addition, the 1,600 plus wolves in from 53 wolf and conservation biology provide an additional safeguard, we the NRM population are just a 400- experts from around the world. That guaranteed human-assisted migration mile southern extension of over 12,000 analysis basically supported Fritts’ management in the highly unlikely wolves in western Canada. There are conclusion but reinforced the necessity event it was ever needed. absolutely no genetic problems now or in the future that could ever threaten the NRM wolf population unless the states fail to uphold their written commitments.

Some 1,600+ wolves now inhabit the northern Rocky Mountains C hris Darimont

10 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org IWC: Can you cite any examples of tolerate removal rates up to 50% per small wolf populations persisting year. The wolf’s natural social struc- for 50-100 years? ture, reproductive rates, and unusual ability to disperse and find a mate make Bangs: The list is virtually endless. this animal resistant to over-harvest. Perhaps instead the question should be: Additionally, research has shown “Is there a wolf population anywhere in that depressed wolf populations can the world in the past 100 years, no increase very rapidly (sometimes doub- matter how small, that has gone extinct ling) within a year or two. for any reason except deliberate pro- longed persecution by people?” Wolves IWC: Wolves were once extermi- are not some fragile, frightened, timid nated throughout the West, so animal on the edge of extinction. Wolf why couldn’t this happen again? populations are unusually adaptable, resilient, bold, and tough as nails. Bangs: It could happen again, even Remember wolves are second only more easily than it did in 1900, if to people in having the greatest natural Americans feel that wolves should The Endangered distribution on Earth. be eliminated again. However, I can’t imagine that ever happening because Species Act IWC: Won’t the individual states people’s values have changed. The wipe out the wolf populations American public would never tolerate when they start managing them? that type of government-sponsored (ESA) did its extermination campaign again. Accu- Bangs: I think they certainly could, as rate information has allowed us to we Americans did it once by prolonged job and restored know and appreciate ‘real’ wolves unregulated year-round shooting, trap- much better than the pioneers’ ping, and ‘denning’ (removal of pups mythology. That being said, the public wolves to the from the den), including widespread will demand wolves be managed to use of poison. But it would take an reduce conflicts to a tolerable level, northern Rocky extraordinary effort for several years to and there are many areas where wolves threaten the NRM wolf population will not be allowed to live because again, and the public, including local Mountains. of chronic conflict. residents, would never stand for it. If it even looked like the wolf population IWC: What if you are wrong, and was being threatened, the ESA would the states reduce the populations mandate federal protection again. As a below recovery levels? state colleague put it, “We know the world will be watching and we will do Bangs: I think that would be virtually the right thing, just as we have with impossible, but if it started to happen, other wildlife species under our care.” I’d personally come back to kick some butts. But more importantly, the IWC: Aren’t wolf populations USFWS would be mandated to take highly sensitive to overharvesting? over management. Secondly, the ESA If not, why not? allows for anyone to petition the USFWS to re-list wolves, and that Bangs: Wolves are killed by people decision has to be made solely on the throughout the world, but wolf popu- best science and given the history. If lations are amazingly resilient. Exten- the states blew their chance to shine, sive research in Canada and Alaska, federal protection would be a certainty where wolves are liberally harvested, and would probably last for a very, demonstrates that wolf populations very long time. can maintain themselves with a human- caused mortality of about 30% per year and under some circumstances can

International Wolf Fall 2009 11 IWC: We have heard that many IWC: Why do you think they scientists think the present northern disagree? Rockies population of at least 1,645 Bangs: I’d like to believe most disagree wolves isn’t enough for wolves to based on their sincere personal opin- persist. Are there differences be- ions. Some also believe the states just tween different kinds of scientists? can’t be trusted, and given some of the Bangs: I need to meet some of these political rhetoric I’ve heard from a kinds of scientists because I don’t know few state politicians, I can understand any of them. Being labeled a ‘scientist’ that concern. Other people feel strongly doesn’t really mean you know anything about the wolf as a spiritual symbol, about wolves or wildlife conservation. and they don’t want to think wolves Also, I’m sure you could find a scientist should be hunted by people. Hopefully that still believes the Earth is flat and only a very small minority are selfish certainly ones that disagree with the promoters who see wolves for the theory of evolution. Scientists are just membership, money, and media atten- Much smaller people, and they have personal opin- tion they can deliver. I’m among those ions and biases just like anyone else– folks who believe most people are wolf populations and sometimes they confuse their basically doing their best to be honest opinions with their expertise. I think it and decent. The most interesting thing is very understandable and desirable about wolves is that all the rhetoric and than the northern that different people have different myth on all sides make it difficult to opinions. The very essence of science is make an informed decision, which is Rocky Mountain to question, probe, and disagree. I can why our program emphasized public easily see someone saying that under transparency and honesty. population have this or that scenario, wolves might become threatened again. But I’ve also IWC: Are there conservation learned we all make better historians organizations that support done just fine for than prophets, and the history of wolves delisting? and wolf management is crystal clear: Bangs: Lots, and it would be difficult if you regulate people and prevent ex- centuries. to find a conservation (i.e. the wise, sus- cessive levels of human-caused mor- tainable use of resources) group that tality, wolf populations will do just fine. doesn’t support state management of a recovered wildlife population. The IWC: What about environmental states have an undeniable record of organizations that disagree with success for conservation of most wild- delisting? life species. That question also goes Bangs: Good for them. I’m a huge to what is considered a ‘conservation’ believer that it is the right and duty of all group, and on many issues I’d throw Americans to argue and lobby passion- many livestock groups, water conser- ately for their beliefs. I also firmly vation districts, etc., in there. On the believe that someone who wants no other hand, I think other groups that wolves has that same right. In the end are more focused on other issues, such it is the decisions that our society and as animal rights organizations, are system of government makes that count. hard pressed to be considered wildlife We are a nation of laws. That being said, conservation groups. I think a group I believe in karma. When one side or can also support state or tribal manage- the other starts bending the facts or tries ment of wolves but simply disagree to trick folks, all that side ends up doing with the current approach to delisting. is losing its credibility. I think Americans But the ESA requires the USFWS to eventually see through a lot of that even make decisions based on the best if it takes them several years. science, and it is undeniable that the NRM wolf population is biologically

12 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org International Wolf realproblems realneedthatsolutions. cause wolves Real predictable. very is outcome the anywhere, people and plain fact is that when you mix wolves tochronic livestock depredations. The response in agencies management by killed legally is 10% another least at and year, every killed illegally is tion popula- wolf the of 10% NRM, the in ESA the under Even them. kill would who people from wolves protecting about but elk ticked-off a or wolves don’tsurefromotherthey meantion,’ ‘protec- wolf about wolves. talk people When protect totally to try to tive counter-producand impossible - is it Bangs: I’m one of those who recognizes were totallyprotected? wolves in the long run if they IWC: Wouldn’t itbebetterfor not theanimal. values, and symbolism human deeper much about usually are issues’ ‘wolf about debates The wolves. real with do to nothing has typically it that is management wolf and wolves about learned I’ve thing one The recovered.

our society will tolerate and some some and tolerate will society our ness and reality. There are some things lenge humans to deal with a bold wild- if see you’ll doanythingaboutit.Theychal- to there stand then and stock live- your kill They pasture. your into all the trails people like to travel on and they are inyourface.Theywalkdown Instead, are. they who of ashamed are they don’t that go is sneaking around wolves like aboutthey admire I things the of One unacceptable. as views ety tinue to behave in ways that their soci- con- wolves let won’t simply Humans other large speciesare? managed by states like managed bystateslike bears, cougars, and bears, cougars,and Should wolves be Should wolvesbe

populations thantheESA. wolf recovered biologically of vation conser- for model better much a be ful for other large carnivores and would hugelysuccess been has hunting, lic pub management, including regulated state believe strongly I desolation’?” con- and waste of ‘beasts as them demning Roosevelt, Theodore of words the in than, rather more, wolves ciate letsthat way a in flicts people appre question real becomes, “How can we The manage con- myth. a clearly won’t,society our protectiontotal so is Fall 2009 n

Ann Rasberry - - - 13 Western Wolf Dispersal Means Inbreeding is Unlikely

by Jay Hutchinson

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) ow that 14 years have passed Midwest have shown that young collars have revolutionized the study since the gray wolf was re- wolves disperse so widely that they can of wolf dispersal by recording daily or introduced into Yellowstone easily outbreed with wolves of different hourly locations day, night, and in any N weather, wherever the wolf goes. National Park (Montana and Wyoming) genetic stock. The current dispersal re- and the Frank Church River of No cord is about 620 miles (1000 kilome- Return Wilderness in central Idaho, ters), and despite the fact that farms, many people have expressed the fear rural roads, and even major highways Livingston and Gardiner, Montana, that these introduced wolves in the are more prevalent in the Midwest than and for 9 months, through April 2009, West will become inbred and less the West, wolves have been documented was tracked over 5 states: Montana, healthy. In fact, earlier studies in the dispersing as much as 548 miles (882 west-central Wyoming, southeastern western Great Lakes region of the kilometers) and 450 airline miles (724 Idaho, northeastern Utah, northwestern kilometers) from their starting points Colorado, south-central Wyoming, and (Summer 2004 International Wolf). back to several locations in north- While the farthest point reached western Colorado before she died near from the starting point can be sub- Rio Blanco, Colorado. The cause of her stantial, as these figures show, satellite death is still under investigation. tracking and Global Positioning Systems In recent years a few single wolves (GPS) tracking have revealed that the that dispersed from the reintroduced totals of hourly, daily, or periodic travels wolf packs in central Idaho have been of wolves are even more astounding. seen in northeastern Oregon. But it was A wolf fitted with a satellite collar in not until last summer that a breeding central Minnesota was documented wolf pack was finally detected in the covering 2,636 miles over a 6-month Umatilla National Forest of northeastern period. In spite of the mileage she Oregon. As of July 2008, two adults logged, she was killed near the place and two pups were documented com- where her journey began. The farthest prising this Oregon pack. It is very point she reached from her start was likely that the adults had dispersed only 306 airline miles. more than a hundred miles from Now the reintroduced wolves in packs in central Idaho, illustrating the West are also demonstrating their once again that dispersal behavior will dispersal wanderlust. So far in the tend to ensure outbreeding and healthy northern Rockies, young female wolf offspring in the West’s newly reintro- 341 has garnered first place for dis- duced top predator. n tance traveled—approximately 1,000 miles. She was tagged with a GPS/ Jay Hutchinson is a writer and editor, ARGOS collar on July 8, 2008 between retired from the U.S. Forest Service’s North Central Research Station in St. Paul, Minnesota. Between travels The record for distance traveled by he enjoys writing about various natural a wolf is 1,000 miles. history subjects, including wolves. William R ideg

14 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org Tracking the Pack

managing one female, Maya, prevent creating a cross be- Pups Learn Their Place in in the Exhibit Pack. Maya’s tween subspecies. All wolves Exhibit Pack: Assortment behavior became very intense are spayed or neutered prior after the introduction of to one year of age. While of Subspecies Provides the northwestern subspecies there is some debate about Unique Mix pups in August 2008. In the the impact of spaying and absence of another female neutering, our experience has b y L o r i S c h m i d t , in the pack, Maya became shown that the ritualized Wolf Curator, International Wolf Center fixated on Aidan and began dominance occurring within stalking and dominating him the pack is calmed by this he International Wolf parents as the dominant pack intensively. This behavior management process. How- Center manages an members. In the Center’s began in late fall, peaked ever, as Aidan experienced in TExhibit Pack of six Exhibit Pack, there are more during February and March, the winter of 2008-2009, this wolves that represent three frequent ritualized dominance then calmed in the spring. In behavior is not eliminated. different generations with displays to maintain social captive wolf management, As the pups became year- three different subspecies. rank order. Social behavior we observe far more intensity lings, they were clearly condi- The oldest wolves in our is still strong, but there is a between females than males. tioned to be submissive based Exhibit are Shadow and tendency to see more gender- This may be due to the role of on the behaviors of strong Malik, Canis lupus arctos or specific behavior to maintain the female wolf in regulating adult pack members, but as arctic subspecies, born in status within the ranks. This litters as an intrinsic popula- they reach maturity by two May 2000. The next genera- behavior is interpreted weekly tion control in the wild. years of age, they will likely tion features Grizzer and in the wolf logs, YouTube Since the Exhibit Pack move up in the pack. To Maya, Canis lupus nubilus or videos and podcasts posted at contains three subspecies follow the rank order of the Great Plains subspecies, www.wolf.org. that would rarely be found in pack, check out the weblogs, born in May 2004. Born in If you have been following the same geographic range in YouTube and podcasts for April 2008, Aidan and Denali the Center’s logs, you may the wild, there is no breeding more detailed analyses of life represent Canis lupus occiden- have noticed that we are at the Center in order to in the Exhibit Pack. n talis, also known as the north- western or Rocky Mountain wolf. Aidan and Denali had a successful introduction, and weighed over 100 pounds at one year of age. Management of non- The International related litters that are social- Wolf Center’s Exhibit ized and introduced to an Pack of wolves is existing pack of adult wolves regularly on display at the center and on is quite different from what www.wolf.org. would occur in the wild. Typically, a wild pack consists of parents and their offspring with the pack members growing up in the pack hier- archy and respecting their nternational Wolf C enter I nternational Wolf

International Wolf Fall 2009 15 International Wolf Center Major Contributors and Special Gifts March 2009 – May 2009

Major Donors Cindy Manke Memorials Honorary Estates Gerson Bakar Foundation Dr. Edna May Catherine D. Brown In memory of beloved In honor of Patricia Pratt Estate on behalf of: Merson wolf “Achtung”: Amber Tamblyn: Marilyn Campbell Cynthia Wong Seamus Metress, Ph.D. Etta Maye Zoerb Jeanne Gehrman Matching Mark Carson GlaxoSmithKline Robert E. Patterson Gifts and Jackie Dolentz In memory of Cletus In honor of Grizzer: Foundation Steven Portnoy “Bert” Bertrand: Foundations on behalf of: Evelyn L. Dunn Sandra J. Lockwood Lisa Goss Ulland and Mildred and and Bella ADC Foundation Gail S. Ramee Dorene Eklund and Karsten Ulland Robert Irish on behalf of: Jan Walter Skovran In honor of Kaylana LexisNexis Janice C. Rainoshek Sharon Sinclair and Bell’s birthday: Ray Wells on behalf of: Amanda Giliotti all Bert’s loving family Cindy Ramsey Angela Bell Ameriprise Financial Laura L. Lawson Johanna B. Goering In memory of Dakota: on behalf of: Vickie Rosskam Rachel J. Parnes Macy’s Foundation Don Gossett Richard and Nancy Brooks on behalf of: David Smith In honor of Jack Gossett Patricia D’Antoni Kristine Elias Fran Stofflet Kimberly Bryant: James Gerber In memory of Joseph and Marissa Wojtysiak Brian Ogren Kathleen Suozzo Mary Jane Gossett: Microsoft Giving Jody Greenhalgh Campaign In honor of Susy James Yuenger Christopher Tower Don Gossett on behalf of: Roberta M. and Jeff Fordice’s Humphreys Helen Tyson Jack Gossett marriage: Anonymous Raul Garcia Judy Hunter Kathryn and Cherie Long Suzanne Anderson Chevron Corporation Sherry Green on behalf of: Kristine M. Karnos Robert Vizas Cindy Ramsey In honor of Pfizer Matching Sandra and Robert and Todd and In memory of Patti Peterson: Gifts Program Kathleen Wagner Joey Haswell: Daniel Szymanski Kathleen Kulus Erin Aberg on behalf of: CNA Foundation James LeBlanc Deb and Ray Wells Markus and Thomas Gootz In honor of on behalf of: Katherine Wilcox Mackenzie Narins Cherie Long Rachel Santos: Thrivent Financial for Carol A. Pehle Sheila Jaimes David Williams Elizabeth Anderson Lutherans Foundation S. Spence Corning Incorporated on behalf of: Foundation on Sue M. Towey Edith R. Newbrand In-Kind behalf of: In memory of Donations The Wilson B. Diane Kaiser: Wayne J. Cadden Tricia Austin Reynolds and Juanita James Monge General Mills E. Reynolds Fund Leslie Brown Foundation of Minnesota In memory of Lakota: on behalf of: Beth Cathcart Community Sandra J. Lockwood Deborah Wells Foundation and Bella Engineering Repro Systems Kirsten J. Langohr The John Thomas Catherine G. White Harris II Memorial Andi Nelsen Fund of the In memory of Dr. Rolf Peterson Minneapolis Robert K. Wetzel: Foundation William Sauer Carolyn Wetzel Deb and Ray Wells We lost a great friend and patron In memory of Ethel R. Smith: Joanne Wessels in May 2009 with the passing of Henry S. Crosby Jr. Jody Wellner Theresa Williams and Darin Groeneveld He will play a role in our future, as he was Redeemer Health and a member of our Alpha Legacy program. Rehabilitation Center We honor his friendship, In memory of and we honor the individuals who Betty C. Youngblood: have made gifts in his memory. Marilyn Campbell wen B riem A Thank You! 16 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org Alpha legacy

Wolves in Iran Profile The Iranian Wolf: Meeting the Unexpected!

Text and photos by Edwin Winkel ild fantasies and huge expec- Environment (DOE) to tations! As a wildlife pho- count the wintering water Wtographer and journalist, birds and to explore the that’s what’s always raging through unknown. In the past our my mind before I go on another trip. expeditions have proven “Would it be possible to see this, and to be very successful by would it be possible to see that?” are revealing new wintering questions I ask myself as I get pre- places for several bird pared, and they deliver imaginings of species and even completely very rare or hard-to-find animals just new birds in Iran. Before we a few metres away from my camera. spread out over the country Experiences have taught me, however, in teams of two persons, that these wishes are quite naïve and we enjoyed a joint excur- that the actual list of seen species always sion in the central province turns out rather differently. But there’s of Fars. There we failed to always something out there, destined find the endemic Pleske’s At first glance golden jackals might to be found or seen, especially in an ground jay, but we succeeded in seeing be mistaken for wolves, but they are unexplored country like Iran. a good herd of Asiatic wild asses–one smaller and a bit more coyote-like. Seventeen fellow Dutchmen and I of the rarest mammals in the world! were there in January 2009 by invita- On January 13, team member tion from the Iranian Department of Martijn and I arrived in the province of

A herd of rare Asiatic wild asses in central Iran.

International Wolf Fall 2009 17 BULGARIA

park the car broke down, and we heard AZERBAIJAN a voice on the radio predicting a lot of TURKEY TURKMENISTAN snow for the coming days. And gone were our beloved visions of gliding and soaring eagles and vultures we would have surely seen on a clear day. In the Gorgan Golestan National Park evening, when we finally entered the IRAQ ★ headquarters of the park to spend the CYPRUS Tehran LEBANON night, it had already started to snow, AFGHANI- and we feared the worst. STAN Iran The next morning it was indeed ISRAEL winter wonderland. A thick layer of snow covered the bottom of the forest, JORDAN and we watched wild boars digging to get through. This made for very nice KUWAIT scenery to observe and experience, SAUDI ARABIA but also for worse conditions to go out of the park. Martijn and I got a

EGYPT little depressed, and for a moment we considered staying in bed for the rest Wolves in Iran of the day. Not a realistic option when Species - Canis lupus (gray wolf) you’re so far away from home, so 45 minutes later we were heading east Subspecies – Canis lupus pallipes for an attractive valley one and a half (desert wolf). Slightly larger subspecies Golestan in the northeast of Iran. The hours away. Canis lupus cubanensis (Caspian Sea province is well known for its enormous Our driver had to work the car wolf or Caucasian wolf) may range in diversity in habitats. In the northwest through a thick wall of snowflakes, parts of northwestern Iran. Canis lupus you can find vast areas of Turkoman and soon we noticed not everyone else lupus (Eurasian wolf) may occupy some steppe, and these are bordered on the had managed! Within ten minutes we portions of northeastern Iran. west by the Caspian Sea. The Elbourz saw three cars off the road, and one of range is situated in the south, while in them was actually upside down. Since Estimated Population – 1000, the east a combination of Hyrcanian Iranians love to drive like madmen and ERITREA possibly more YEMEN forest (flora-type, once typical for the don’t adapt to changing circumstances, SUDAN Caspian Sea region), mountainous Martijn and I felt like we could be next! Trend – Unknown regions and lush steppe dominates. And then it happened! Through Range – approximately 80 percent Martijn and I, accompanied by a the windscreen I caught a glimpse selection of DOE employees, started of an animal that was crossing the of DJIBOUTIthe country ETHIOPIA the counts on the Turkoman steppes in road from the left to the right. The

Human Attitudes – BSOMALIAecause their the north where large freshwater lakes hind leg I saw resembled that of a diet includes livestock as well as normally hold a lot of water birds. But German shepherd, and I immediately wild prey, predators are both feared not this year! Severe droughts had shouted, “Wolf to the right!” Driver Ali and hated. However, a more positive evaporated or diminished the enor- knew what was at stake and quickly mous water bodies, and this left us with opened all windows on the right side attitude toward wolves may be plenty of time to look around. Besides while hitting the brakes. developing in some areas. Iranian half the usual number of waterfowl, we The wolf in the meantime had wolves are elusive and seldom seen, met several red foxes and golden jackals stopped also and was curiously watching especially in the rugged, forested and on the Caspian Sea itself, the rare us from a distance of about 45 feet. Both regions of northern Iran. Thus Edwin and elusive Caspian seal. we and the canid were experiencing Winkel’s encounter in Golestan National After a week of fantastic birding an indecisive vacuum for a couple of Park was indeed an “unexpected and weather, we were offered a small seconds, and then I knew in a heartbeat meeting.” Edwin’s stunning photographs break in Golestan National Park, Iran’s what to do. Make pictures! Martijn, of the wild wolf gazing fixedly at first (1957) and most famous protected who was on the right side of the car and him through the swirling snow are area, situated in the east of the prov- in the best position to begin shooting, wildlife treasures. ince. The excursion was meant to be wasn’t prepared yet, and I firmly asked pure fun, but we were confronted with him to back off! He luckily did, and some bad omens. On the way to the I instantly pushed the button. Less than

18 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org a second, and 7 pictures later, the wolf also knew what to do–flee! Next thing we realized the wolf was climbing the slope of the adjacent hill, and I got out of the car to follow its movements. I knew it would stop again to look at us and it did, but now from about 300 feet away. The thick snow- The Iranian wolf is flakes nearly swallowed the animal not often seen and is now, and I took a couple of record shots rarely photographed. of the outline of the creature before it disappeared like a ghost. The whole sensation had lasted less than half a minute but was more intense than any other encounter I had ever experienced with birds or other mammals. Back in the car my heart was pounding from excitement. While stumbling over the words, “Wolf, wolf!” I slapped everyone very hard on the shoulder just to share. The wolf paved the way for a productive day despite the ongoing snow. We scored a handful of very interesting bird species and had another close encounter with a golden jackal, but my mind stayed with the wolf for the rest of the trip. And still, nearly every day, I sink into those wise and mystic eyes again, just to roam for a And then it happened! moment in their untamed wildness. n Through the windscreen I caught a glimpse Edwin Winkel is a Dutch wildlife photographer and journalist. He favors of an animal that crossed the road from alpine and arctic destinations and is specialized in nearctic (North American) and palearctic (Eurasian) animals. the left to the right. A nice selection of his work can be seen in the 2008 edition of Birds of Alaska by Robert H. Armstrong. You can contact Edwin at [email protected].

International Wolf Fall 2009 19 Alpha legacy Profile

Book Review of Yellowstone Wolves

By Patrick Bringley

at Urbigkit’s riveting, provoca- best, the creatures were lone wolves tive book, Yellowstone Wolves, who had found their way from a Cexamines a scientific question healthy Canadian population. that in the pastures of Wyoming and Urbigkit, adopting a role of citizen- the halls of federal court would turn gadfly and plaintiff, put forward a into a full-blown fracas. If wolves competing explanation. The canids, had disappeared from Yellowstone she argued, were the improbable National Park and its vicinity by the survivors of a native, ancient pop- 1930s, as is generally believed, why ulation of Yellowstone wolves. did the park’s visitors keep hearing and Furthermore – and here’s the rub– seeing wolves? The U.S. Fish and the government’s plan to reintro- Wildlife Service provided one set of duce Canadian gray wolves to the park answers: the reported sightings were would drive a unique subspecies of Tempers run hot on the few and unreliable; the canids were wolf into extinction, a reprehensible reintroduction issue –particularly among dog-wolf hybrids or large coyotes; at and illegal act. It was a battle that competing ranching and environmental Urbigkit and her allies interest groups – and it is a credit to would lose, but in Urbigkit that a reader who disagrees on this highly readable important questions can still enjoy her account the interested work; count Ronald M. Nowak, the reader is invited to author of the book’s own preface, as a survey Urbigkit’s evi- skeptical admirer. Urbigkit, who works dence and question as a reporter and lives on a working a government appa- ranch, is plenty used to having her ratus that, in her motives questioned by her opponents. view, ignored and Nevertheless, with a clear-headed, eventually rolled over counterpunching style, she mostly its opposition. In the reserves her wrath for those who will- process of telling her fully sacrifice truth for politics, and side of the story, only in the closing chapters does an Urbigkit has written unfortunate note of bitterness attend a gripping account of her lurid tales of livestock depredation the unlikely alliances, at the jaws of newly introduced wolves. courtroom battles, and But the real story here isn’t only, or frequently puzzling even mainly, about wolves. It is the wolf activity that drama of a woman up against her swirled around the government, the unlikely thrill of government’s land- clashing legal propositions, and the mark reintroduction limitations of brandishing scientific effort. evidence like a righteous weapon. n

Patrick Bringley lives with his wife in Brooklyn, New York. He is a former math student of Jerry Sanders, wolf buff, and is studying to become a history teacher.

20 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org Alpha legacy Profile

Hintz said he wasn’t surprised Deer beating up on wolves? when the wolves appeared Feb. 20. He often sees their tracks among the deer By Patrick Durkin trails weaving through the cut. But the deer acted differently that day, Reprinted with permission from the Wisconsin State Journal Wednesday, March 11, 2009 he said. About 25 of them stayed unusually close to his skidder–and the younger deer crowded in as if seeking esearchers acknowledge a drive vehicle, to move logs from a protection. Wisconsin man’s claim of timber project near Spillerberg Creek Hintz had to work slowly to avoid R witnessing rare white-tailed northwest of Glidden in Ashland hitting them. Soon after the wolves aggression has merit. Whether he’s County. He had been cutting maple appeared, at least six adult deer– wielding a chainsaw in a cedar and yellow birch there all winter, four does and two bucks without swamp or piloting an airplane above causing hungry deer to congregate in antlers– charged them, he said. Hintz towering pines, Jim Hintz of Fifield is growing numbers. He estimated they said two ran straight at the predators seldom surprised by wildlife he sees in numbered 30 to 35 by mid-February. while at least four barreled down a Wisconsin’s north woods. Hintz said deer often eat within 8 nearby ridge. This career logger routinely shares feet of him as he trims fallen branches “I doubt the whole thing lasted a lunch with gray jays and chickadees. with his chainsaw or hauls 100-inch logs minute,” Hintz said. “They were all He also must sometimes nudge and with his skidder. He’s the only human over that wolf. If I hadn’t seen it myself, work around winter-stressed deer they tolerate. When the deer vanish, I’d think someone was telling a bald- eating treetops he’s felled. he knows visitors are approaching. faced lie.” And earlier this winter he saw a continued on next page moose wander by as he verified a property line with his GPS unit. In turn, two timber wolves once watched him operate his bulldozer from 10 yards away as they rested in cool dirt Hintz graded on a summer afternoon. But Hintz, 66, barely believed his eyes Feb. 20 when several adult deer stopped eating maple buds and charged two wolves that appeared on a knoll 60 yards away. “The smaller wolf didn’t wait. It ran away,” Hintz said. “The big one stayed and those deer just overhauled him. First they stood on their hind legs and batted him with their front hooves, and then some of them turned and kicked like mules with their back hooves. I’m sure they broke his ribs. He was whimpering and yelping. He got kicked from all sides. “When he finally got out of there, he was limping really bad and dragging a leg. I actually felt sorry for him.” Hintz said the incident began while he was using his skidder, a heavy 4-wheel- Walter L oesberg Walter

International Wolf Fall 2009 21 Jim Hintz

Two veteran wolf researchers— usually aren’t aggressive, but I did see Professor Dave Mech at the University that one kick a wolf three times and of Minnesota and Dr. Michael Nelson chase it off.” of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Wolf Hintz, meanwhile, hasn’t seen any Project in Ely, Minn.– have no reason wolves since the incident, even though to doubt Hintz. Although they’ve never deer continue to pound paths into the witnessed similar attacks in nearly 80 snow to reach freshly cut treetops. years of combined field work, neither “Before the incident, I never saw expressed surprise. wolves back in there,” he said. “I only Nelson once saw a deer face down saw their tracks from where they nosed three wolves until they left and Mech around the treetops at night, looking saw a deer leap over a wolf three times for rabbits. These deer look to be in and mule-kick it each time it landed. perfect shape. They’re getting lots to Plus, they cited a case in which a wolf eat. Maybe the wolves learned to leave C orutesy of Patrick Durkin died after getting gored by a buck’s them alone.” n antlers — and another died after a deer generally think wolves kill anything crushed its skull with a kick. they want, but their success depends http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/ They also said wolves kill deer in on the deer itself and the wolf’s age sports/442552 only 20 percent of their chases. “People and experience,” Mech said. “Deer [email protected]

22 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org Alpha legacy Profile

Sooner or later, your child will Introducing Your Child To Wolves ask if wolves attack humans. With small children, be totally reassuring By Steve Grooms (without actually saying that wolves “never” attack humans). As your child he way we think about wolves need to dig up and discard. Just as you matures, add nuance to the message, has evolved dramatically over don’t want to teach your child that for we know now that wolves under Tthe decades and especially in wolves are a threat, you don’t want to some circumstances have attacked and recent years. We no longer fear wolves suggest that they are just shaggy dogs killed humans. Teach your child to as Europeans did for centuries. On the that would make great pets. You don’t enjoy and respect wild wolves without other hand, well-informed wolf fans need to demonize wolves to make the seeing them as slavering demons or as no longer speak of “alphas” or say point that they are powerful predators noble creatures that are too ethical to that wolves “never” attack humans. that have evolved to live in the wild. chomp a human. That raises interesting issues when we Gently discourage your child from Do not be afraid to tell your child introduce children to wolves. Are there moralizing about animals, dividing the truth about predation. Little chil- guidelines for how we can help a child them into “good” and “bad” animals. dren are often shocked to learn that appreciate wolves? Create, if you can, a sense of awe for wolves tear apart beautiful deer. Yet it I have some suggestions. all creatures. As your child ages and isn’t necessary to lie. Point out that if Expose your child to living wolves can absorb more complex messages, wolves aren’t occasionally successful at by patronizing good zoos and wolf talk about the ways animals interact killing something, wolves and their centers. Children relate to living in ecosystems, each animal with an pups will starve. As your child matures, animals better than to book critters or important role to play. you can even point out that most taxidermy mounts. While watching wolves interacting in enclosures, help your child by explaining what they are doing. With older children you might point out how wolves in enclosures differ from wild wolves. Read to your children about wolves, reading from a variety of sources. As your child matures, mix in books with messages that require a more complex view of wolves. It is pointless to ban such books as Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs; they are part of the culture and your child will encounter them sooner or later. Instead, share them with your child at a time when you can make a little joke of the way C enter I nternational Wolf people used to see wolves. Introduce your child to such hilarious contem- porary books as The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. This lets you make the point that there are often two sides to a story. Do not teach your child erroneous Examining a pelt at the International Wolf Center messages that you must later correct. helps youngsters gain knowledge and a deep You don’t have to be politically correct appreciation of the wolf. with every statement, but you can avoid planting ideas that you will later

International Wolf Fall 2009 23 people in our society are carnivores child will grow up expecting to have a who eat other lovely animals. When conversation with a wild wolf! your child is sophisticated enough to Above all, encourage your child to understand the lesson, talk about care about the natural world. If you do how predators cull the sick, old and nothing else, convey to your child that wounded from a prey population. the natural world is a boundless source Feel no guilt about anthropomor- of joy and wonder. The natural world is phizing. Little children relate to wolves good and precious because it is all part more readily if they can imagine them of the grand tapestry of creation, each thinking, playing, solving problems, part contributing to the greater whole. and otherwise engaging with their If you can teach your child to love and world as humans do. Books that respect the totality of creation, your ascribe human qualities to wolves are child will surely appreciate the unique not actually false, for wolves share with and fascinating world of wolves. n humans many traits and types of be- havior. They do express fondness for Note: the International Wolf Center is mates and pack members. They do working on lists of books and videos that teach each other. Wolves have ways of we consider especially appealing, accurate Do not be afraid communicating that can be surpris- and educational. These will be listed on our web site: www.wolf.org. to tell your child ingly sophisticated, even in the absence of speech. Don’t worry, in other words, Steve Grooms has been writing about the truth about about reading a small child a book in wolves and wolf management since 1976. which wolves talk. Talking wolves can He is the author of the book Return of the predation. help a child appreciate and understand Wolf, and he serves on the International nternational Wolf C enter I nternational Wolf wolves, and there is no risk that your Wolf advisory committee.

Take Home an Authentic Piece of the Wild "Thanks so much for the Claw Prints! We fought over who got them. (856) 287-7969 Congratulations on a Great new product!" - National Geographic Adventure Magazine

24 Fall 2009 www.wolf.org