A Wolf on the Hunt: Researcher Relates Intimate Encounter
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A PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER SUMMER 2000 A Wolf on the Hunt: Researcher Relates Intimate Encounter Symposium Attracts World-Renowned Wolf Experts Leave Perhaps the most precious thing you can pass on to your children is a your world where nature and humans children coexist in a mutually beneficial relationship. stock in Through the International something Wolf Center’s Alpha Legacy Program, too you can help preserve this commodity for valuable future generations. This program recognizes the to trade. generosity and foresight of those who have included the Center in their estate plans. Together, we’re working to ensure the survival of wolves. For information on how you can participate, please contact Walter Medwid, Executive Director, 5930 Brooklyn Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55429, (612)560-7374. Or e-mail [email protected]. International Wolf Center Your Four-Season Resort Cabins and lakeside suites Restaurant and lounge — waterfront dining 8-bedroom retreat cabin — 6000 sq. ft. with sauna ELY, MN Naturalist program & children’s activities White Iron chain of lakes (20 miles of water) Direct BWCAW water entry Large hot tub room Fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming ❆ Hiking, x-c skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling Lakeside camping — RV full hook-ups Canoe day-tripping www.silverrapidslodge.com 800-950-9425 IntWolf.summer 00 5/5/00 8:31 AM Page 1 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER VOLUME 10, NO. 2 SUMMER 2000 Features Departments 4 3 From the Executive Director Close Encounter of the “Wolf ” Kind 12 International Wolf Center Notes From the Field Wolf Researcher Amy Jacobs describes her incredible experience with wolves during her research in 17 Tracking the Pack Yellowstone, where she almost got “run over” by a wolf! 18 Wolves of the World William Rideg, Kishenehn Wildlife Works Amy Jacobs 8 21 As a Matter of Fact Beyond 2000: Realities of 22 Wolf Tracks Global Wolf Restoration Many of the world’s pre-eminent wolf 24 News and Notes researchers, managers, advocates, and federal and state representatives came together in 25 Wolf Tales; Wolf Trails February to discuss the realities of wolf restoration world-wide during a symposium that attracted approximately 600 people. 27 Wild Kids Cornelia Hutt and Steve Grooms 28 A Look Beyond Tungalagtuya Khuukhenduu of the On The Cover Mongolian Association for the Cover and interior artwork by Eva-Lena Conservation of Nature and the Rehnmark. Rehnmark is an artist living in Environment speaks on the status of the California who has focused her creative wolf in Mongolia during the symposium’s talents on environmental subjects. IUCN Wolf Specialist Group meeting. Rehnmark’s first published book, Neither God, Nor Devil, Re-Thinking Our Perspective of Wolves will be published this fall by Pomegranate Communications. William Rideg, Kishenehn Wildlife Works IntWolf.summer 00 5/5/00 8:31 AM Page 2 Publications Director Editorial Note: The International Wolf restoration for fear of muddling their Mary Ortiz Center greatly appreciates all the feedback message and mission. Managing Editor we received regarding our proposed expanded International Wolf Center has the Amy Farrar mission to include educating the public about ability to lead the way in the next phase Technical Editor the importance of wildlands to the survival of wolf conservation, by encouraging L. David Mech of the wolf. As evidenced here, most of the all wolf advocates to support wild- Consulting Editor readers who responded favored our proposal. lands preservation and restoration as Lynette D’Amico We reiterate our stance as wolf educators part of their wolf efforts. Only through Graphic Designer in response to the letters below. Some letters this broader vision will the public Tricia Hull have been edited to save space. understand that the goal of wolf International Wolf (1089-683X) is recovery is not only to ensure the published quarterly and copyrighted, survival of one species, but to restore 2000, by the International Wolf Center, Wildlands 5930 Brooklyn Boulevard, Minneapolis, the health, biodiversity, and wildness Minnesota 55429-2518, USA. email: I was thrilled to read that the center of the land. [email protected]. All rights reserved. is proposing to change your mission For all things wild and free, Membership in the International Wolf to include the importance of wild- Kristin DeBoer Center includes a subscription to lands to the wolf’s survival. As the RESTORE: The North Woods International Wolf magazine, free admission wolf recovery coordinator for the to the Center, and discounts on programs Wolves do not exist in a vacuum. I and merchandise. • Lone Wolf member- group RESTORE: The North Woods, ships are U.S. $28 • Wolf Pack $50 • we have also been striving to get fully support the expansion of the Wolf Associate $100 • Wolf Sponsor $500 this message out to the public. International Wolf Center’s mission • Alpha Wolf $1000. Canada and other RESTORE is not only working to statement to include teaching the countries, add U.S. $15 per year for restore the wolf to the Northeastern importance of the wolf’s need for airmail postage, $7 for surface postage. Contact the International Wolf Center, United States, we are also proposing wildlands. As protected wolf pop- 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731-8129, the creation of a new 3.2 million- ulations continue to grow and begin USA; email: [email protected]; acres Maine Woods National Park to press against human-dominated 1-800-ELY-WOLF by purchasing land from the private landscapes, the very real danger International Wolf is a forum for airing paper companies that own most of exists that a backlash of public senti- facts, ideas and attitudes about wolf- the potential wolf habitat in northern ment against wolf-caused domestic related issues. Articles and materials printed in International Wolf do not Maine. This national park would animal mortality might [result in] necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the be the “Yellowstone of the East” by anti-wolf prejudice that the IWC, International Wolf Center or its board providing a sanctuary where wolves among others, has worked so hard to of directors. and the whole range of native wildlife overcome. Wolves that are acceptable International Wolf welcomes submissions could recover and flourish. in a wilderness area or backcountry of personal adventures with wolves and In the last decade, it seems as if the national forest become much less wolf photographs (especially black and white). Prior to submission of other debate about the connection between popular when Fluffy or Rover turns types of manuscripts, address queries wolves and wilderness has shifted. As into some wolf’s dinner. The concept to Mary Ortiz, publications director. wolves began to be restored to parts that people living in semi-wild areas International Wolf is printed entirely of their former habitat, scientists need to accept certain risks and with soy ink on recycled and recyclable realized that wolves do not techni- modify their behavior correspondingly paper (text pages contain 20% post- cally require wilderness to survive. is one that certainly could be a consumer waste, cover paper contains challenge for the Center to get across 10% post-consumer waste). We encourage However, this finding has [implied] you to recycle this magazine. a divorce between the age-old union in its teachings. Education almost always includes PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or between wolves and wilderness; as obvious from the caption or article text, a result, many wolf advocacy groups advocacy. We would still believe the photos are of captive wolves. are reluctant to support wildlands continued on page 26 2 International Wolf Summer 2000 IntWolf.summer 00 5/5/00 8:31 AM Page 3 INTERNATIONAL From the Executive Director WOLF CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy jo Tubbs Chair fter years of planning and countless preparatory meetings, the Dr. L. David Mech Vice Chair International Wolf Center’s third international wolf symposium is Dr. Rolf O. Peterson now history. Nearly 600 participants from 44 states and 29 countries Secretary A Paul B. Anderson gathered in Duluth in late February to learn and share their wolf knowledge, Treasurer experiences and perspectives. We were especially proud to sponsor the IUCN World Conservation Union’s Wolf Specialist Group meeting under the Dr. Larry D. Anderson umbrella of the symposium. The global look at wolf issues brought varied Phillip DeWitt and rich perspectives to the seemingly eternal debate on wolf and human Thomas T. Dwight Nancy Gibson coexistence. Many important sponsors and contributors (see page 11) made the Helene Grimaud symposium possible, and we are most appreciative of their support. Cornelia Hutt Our third international symposium was indeed a milestone for us this year, but Dr. Robert Laud what is even more significant is that we are celebrating our fifteenth anniversary Tom Micheletti Mike Phillips as an organization. From the catalyst of Dr. Robert Ream the Science Museum of Minnesota’s The global Ellen Sampson donation of the Wolves and Humans look at wolf Paul Schurke exhibit to the International Wolf Center Teri Williams issues brought in 1985 to this year’s symposium, many Pat Woodworth varied and rich good things have happened at the perspectives... Center in the intervening years. First and MISSION foremost, the dream of building an inter- The International Wolf pretive center with exhibits, a resident Center supports the survival of the wolf around pack of wolves, a range of programs and multitudes of visitors from around the world by teaching the country and globe, became a reality in 1993 with the opening of its doors about its life, its association with other species and its to the world. Visitors have come in the thousands and now, hundreds of dynamic relationships thousands (see Notes From the Field, page 12 for a detailed timeline of events to humans.