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Wildlife and Environmental Disasters: Surviving Wind, Flood and Fire in Red Country PAGE 4

ALSO Wolf 258’s Long Trek Across and the PAGE 8 Recovered Collar Details Canadian Wolf’s Journey Through PAGE 11 Wolf Hunt Report PAGE 13 THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER VOLUME 22, NO. 1 SPRING 2012 Features Departments 3 From the Executive Director

15 Tracking the Pack

17 of the World

4 Greg Koch 8 Map courtesy John Burch 13 Dwight Andrews 20 Personal Encounter Wildlife and Wandering Wolves Montana Wolf 22 Wild Kids Environmental Wolves are intrepid travelers, Hunt Report Disasters: especially those dispersing Montana’s wolf management 24 A Look Beyond Surviving Wind, to new areas. In this issue plan allows for an annual Flood and Fire in of International Wolf, we harvest of 220 wolves. present the journeys of Country The wolf harvest— two dispersing wolves. originally slated to run On the Cover Gray wolves exist in com- from September 3, 2011, Photo by Greg Koch. paratively large numbers Wolf 258’s Long to December 31, 2011— throughout the Northern Trek Across Alaska was extended through Hemisphere, but coastal and the Yukon February 15, 2012, North Carolina is the only John Burch because hunters had not region in the red wolf’s yet reached their quota. Did you know... historical range where Recovered Collar Details Canadian Jess Edberg one easy way for you approximately 130 of these to help us conserve wild, rare predators live. Wolf ’s Journey natural resources is to make Imperiled species like red Through Minnesota sure we have your email address. wolves are especially Tim Davis Simply email your address to: vulnerable to the effects of [email protected] natural disasters, and small, isolated populations stand the chance of being wiped out in a single event.

Cornelia Hutt Isaac Babcock 20112011

Publications Director Tom Myrick Biologist/Journalist Receives

Graphics Coordinator 2011 Who Speaks for Wolf Award Carissa L. Winter he International Wolf Center Board of Directors has announced Hank Consulting Editor Fischer of the National Wildlife Federation as the recipient of its 2011 Fran Howard TWho Speaks for Wolf award. The annual award is given to an individual who has made exceptional contri- Technical Editor butions to education about the wolf, placing the wolf in the broader context of L. David Mech humankind’s relationship to nature. “Hank Fischer has combined his Graphic Designer Tricia Austin expertise on wolves with a meaning- ful plan for the long-term survival of the species,” said Nancy Gibson, International Wolf (1089-683X) is published International Wolf Center board mem- quarterly and copyrighted, 2012, by the ber. “He has guided the public debate International Wolf Center, 3410 Winnetka Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55427, USA. to the understanding that healthy email: [email protected]. wolf populations need wildlands for All rights reserved. long-term survival.” Fischer’s work with the National Publications agreement no. 1536338 Wildlife Federation has focused on a Membership in the International Wolf Center new tactic for wolf population sur- includes a subscription to International Wolf vival—a market approach to buy magazine, free admission to the Center, and discounts on programs and merchandise. grazing allotments, which has turned • Lone Wolf memberships are U.S. $35 opponents into partners and helped • Wolf Pack $60 • Wolf Associate $125 relieve wolf and livestock conflicts. (To • Wolf Sponsor $500 • Alpha Wolf $1,000. read more about Fischer’s conservation and other countries, add U.S. $15 efforts, download the winter 2009 issue per year for airmail postage, $7 for surface of International Wolf at wolf.org/wolves/ postage. Contact the International Wolf Center, 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA; news/pdf/winter2009.pdf.) email: [email protected]; “As a result, nearly 600,000 acres of phone: 800-ELY-WOLF former grazing lands are now desig- International Wolf is a forum for airing facts, ideas nated as habitat for wolves, grizzly and attitudes about wolf-related issues. Articles and other wildlife,” says Gibson. “Fischer and materials printed in International Wolf do has skillfully used his degrees in wild- not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the life biology and journalism to accurately International Wolf Center or its board of directors. reveal the struggle facing predators. International Wolf welcomes submissions of With radio commentary, numerous pre- personal adventures with wolves and wolf sentations, collaborative efforts, and his pho­to­graphs. Prior to submission of other book Wolf Wars, he has earned respect types of manuscripts,­ address queries to from all sides that debate the controver- Tom Myrick, magazine coordinator. sies surrounding wolves.” PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or obvious Other award winners since 2000 from the caption or article text, photos are of include: Ron Refsnider, U.S. Fish and captive wolves. Wildlife Service; John Virr, philanthro- International Wolf is printed entirely with pist; Red Wolf Coalition Executive soy ink on FSC® Director Kim Wheeler; and Dr. Chip certified paper. Hanson, a wolf veterinarian in Ely. We encourage FSC logo here Photo courtesy of Hank Fischer Current Center board and staff mem- you to recycle this magazine. bers are not eligible for the award. n

2 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org From the Executive Director INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nancy jo Tubbs “We’re here to put a dent in the universe.” Chair Dr. L. David Mech —Steve Jobs, entrepreneur and inventor (1955-2011) Vice Chair Cree Bradley fter 25 years of helping the Center teach the world about wolves, I likely have Secretary left “dents” in the wolf universe—most of them good, I hope. It is time for me Paul B. Anderson to retire and spend much more time with my husband, Gene, my family and Treasurer Afriends. You can still find me searching for tracks with my grandkids and heading Debbie Hinchcliffe out any dark night to howl for wolves. I hope to spend many days of my Nancy Gibson retirement outdoors, where my world feels whole and in balance. Hélène Grimaud Life is change. Some wolf populations have gained a healthy foothold Dr. Rolf O. Peterson over the past 25 years. Yet, the survival of wolves still sits in tentative bal- Mike Phillips ance in many places around the world. Debbie Reynolds Education is a powerful tool for facilitating change and advancing the Jerry Sanders survival of wolf populations. Purposely, we are reaching out to children Paul Schurke

Mary Ortiz in this issue by the returning the Wild Kids pages (pages 22-23) to our Ted Spaulding magazine. The future of wolves, all wildlife, wildlands and even humanity Deb Wells is in our children’s hands. Let’s continue to teach them well. Ray Wells New life is coming to the Center with the arrival of pups, just as I retire in May 2012. Teri Williams What a fitting time to move on! My first week of retirement will be spent bottle-feeding these young ambassadors, just as I have for every wolf in our pack. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mary Ortiz I am proud to have been a part of the Center’s important work, and I look forward to keeping in touch with the dedicated board and brilliant staff who will carry the torch MISSION forward. They will always find challenges in this work—it is the way of the wolf. But the The International Wolf future holds promise, as the Center continues “teaching the world about wolves” in new Center advances the survival of wolf populations by and better ways. teaching about wolves, their As Winston Churchill said, “Never, never, never, never give up.” Our members, relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future. donors, volunteers and friends of the wolf must keep working to make the landscape Educational services and sustainable for wolves and humans. Our human connection with our wild counterparts informational resources is just too important to lose. Please take the time to make your very own dents in the are available at: universe of wolves. You and others you teach will make a difference. n 1396 Highway 169 Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA 800-ELY-WOLF 218-365-4695 email address: [email protected] Web site: www.wolf.org Mary Ortiz, executive director

International Wolf Spring 2012 3 Wildlife and iStockphoto Environmental Disasters: Surviving Wind, Flood and Fire

by CORNELIA HUTT The Winds of August— Hurricane Irene, 2011 eminders and memories of Hurricane Isabel (2003) linger Rin coastal northeastern North Carolina, and so last summer, the region braced for the worst as Hurricane Irene churned through the Atlantic on its way to making landfall along the famous Outer Banks beaches. Wildlife managers reviewed their detailed disaster plans and dared to hope the storm bearing down on red wolf country would not leave behind an ecocatastrophe. As the surf began to build and the sky flattened to gunmetal gray, residents boarded up houses. Tourists, under a mandatory evacua- tion order, took to the crowded high- ways and headed inland. In the red wolf restoration region, a short dis- tance west of the Outer Banks, local folks pondered what to do as they gazed out over the low-lying wetlands and the soybean and cotton fields. Should they stick it out or play it safe? In the picturesque town of Columbia on the banks of the scenic Scuppernong River, business owners and residents studied the normally lazy, meandering stream and cast worried glances at the Ken Hupila - Snotty Studio

Pagami Creek fire, massive smoke plume from burnout operation on June 4, 2011, east of Stomper Road.

4 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org Lauren Green

“Water, water everywhere…”

—Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in Red Wolf Country The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Red wolf, rufus.

retaining wall separating the postcard- display window. Over at the desk, the Seasonal Flooding pretty boat harbor from downtown. phone rang, and emails came winging and Red Wolves Many people wisely chose to leave. in as people inquired anxiously No one knows the answers, but the But what of the red wolves, black about the wild red wolves in the five- questions concern wildlife managers bears, and all the other crea- county red wolf recovery area: “Are the and red wolf advocates. All they can tures in northeastern North Carolina’s wolves all right? Did they make it say is, “Well, we got through this one. It rich ecosystems? Certainly they had no through the storm?” could have been worse.” And that’s possessions to lose, no real estate to This time, the answer was reassur- true. The overall impact of storms and batten down, no keepsakes to cram ing. The red wolves weathered the seasonal flooding on the ecosystems into a car and no vehicles to transport hurricane just fine, or at least evidence and wildlife communities in north- them to safety. However, nature is way from the transmitters on the radio- eastern North Carolina has not been ahead of humans in responding to collared wolves in the wild population calamitous. Since do not have impending crises like storms and confirmed they had indeed hunkered personal property to worry about, all flooding. “The wolves just hunker down and waited it out. Everyone they have to do is survive. The general down and wait it out,” as Red Wolf was relieved, but no one was compla- thinking is that certainly some die, Recovery Coordinator Dr. David cent. For one thing, Irene had been but as long as healthy populations Rabon, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, downgraded to a Category 2 storm remain present, the death of one animal puts it. And if they have to flee, they when it made landfall. For another, does not raise an alarm—that is, unless can. Transportation is not a problem the violent wind and heavy downpours that animal is a red wolf, particularly for a highly mobile, terrestrial predator moved out of the area without lingering a breeder. Gray wolves exist in com- that is also an excellent swimmer. overlong. paratively large numbers throughout But what if Irene had come ashore the Northern Hemisphere, but coastal In the Wake of the Deluge as a Category 5 hurricane? What if it North Carolina is the only region in the Irene lashed the region with wind had stalled over the region? What if it red wolf’s historical range where and rain, leaving Columbia with three had followed closely behind another approximately 130 of these wild, rare feet of muddy river water swirling storm? What if another hurricane had predators live. Imperiled species like through the streets and over floors pounded the area two weeks after Irene red wolves are especially vulnerable of downtown businesses. The Red weakened and died off New ? to the effects of natural disasters, and Wolf Coalition office escaped relatively What then? Would the outcome have small, isolated populations stand the unscathed even though the front steps been different for wolves and other chance of being wiped out in a single were washed away. “Rufus,” the resident wildlife? event. It’s fortunate that most hurri- Coalition’s red wolf mount, and his canes occur in late summer and early small cousin, a , surveyed the fall when wolves are not denning and sodden aftermath of the storm from when the pups are nearly fully grown their fixed vantage point in the office and able to travel.

International Wolf Spring 2012 5 “By this time the heat was extreme, and the crackling roar of the flames was almost upon them. led his family around to the farther side of the big -house, but himself kept watch where he could see everything. The smoke was now volleying down upon

Greg Koch the surface of the pond in great bursts, the water was smitten here and there with red brands that hissed as they fell, and the tongues Cory Waters, USFWS Cory Waters, of flame that ran up the tall trunks of pine and fir seemed to leap bodily into the air in order to set fire to the trees ahead of them. The whole southeastern sky was now like a wall of molten and blazing copper, stretching to the zenith and about to topple down the world. Against it, a last despairing barrier already beginning to crumble, stood black and defiant, the water-side fringe of trees.”

—Charles G. D. Roberts, Red Fox

Red wolf, standing tall, alert. Climate Change— large expanses of land, including wild- sense to seek safety on an island in Tempest in a Global life habitat. Additionally, tectonic the Boundary Waters Canoe Area forces are causing the land in north- Wilderness when a lightning strike Teapot or a Warning? eastern North Carolina to sink very ignited the huge Pagami Creek fire Seasonal hurricanes have not sig- slowly, thus making the sea-level rise in northern Minnesota’s Superior nificantly affected wildlife in north- potentially greater than in areas where National Forest. During the weeks the eastern North Carolina, and certainly the coastline is stable or even rising. fire raged, the International Wolf wildlife does not affect hurricanes. The current rate of sea-level rise in the Center in Ely fielded anxious inquiries However, what about humans? Do region is twice the global average, from people concerned about wild people have an effect on hurricanes? according to four universities that wolf packs. Some of the best science tells us that studied the impacts to coastal resources One difference between fire and climate change is raising ocean water as sea level rises and as hurricane activ- flood sometimes lies in the cause. temperatures, and warmer oceans are ity increases and intensifies. People don’t directly trigger hurricanes spawning grounds for ever more pow- The jury is still out about the link in red wolf country or anywhere else, erful storms that occur more frequently. between climate change and the mag- for that matter. That’s fortunate. Given It’s hard to discount the ominous pos- nitude and rate of sea-level rise. But a the monumental carelessness, indiffer- sibility that massive flooding from a drive through red wolf country will ence and sometimes outright male- monster storm could cause lingering convince even skeptics that coastal volence of some people, catastrophic damage to the set of living conditions erosion and land loss are occurring human-caused weather events would that allows the region’s animals and and are measurable. Drainage canals probably surpass the destructive power plants to thrive in the wild. remain brimful, and residents of of conflagrations started by unattended And more bad news is that the Columbia, 35 miles (56 kilometers) campfires—and arson. National Oceanic and Atmospheric inland from the Outer Banks, have People occasionally start blazes Administration (NOAA) identified adopted a grimly humorous outlook. where red wolves live, but usually it’s North Carolina as one of three states “Don’t worry about the current real lightning that ignites fires like the Pains with the most significant vulnerability estate slump,” they advise. “Wait Bay fire on the Alligator River National to sea-level rise, wind-driven tides and around awhile, and Columbia will be Wildlife Refuge in May 2011 before hurricane-driven surges. Sea-level rise prime beach-front property.” Irene unleashed her fury. The com- is predicted to continue into the next pacted soil of the region called “poco- century at an accelerated rate. A glance The Towering Inferno— sin” burns like peat or like coal deep in at a map shows the huge Albemarle- Wildfire a mine. Once a fire starts, it’s difficult to Pamlico estuarine system surrounded extinguish, and the intensity of these by land that has little slope. Therefore, Wildfire is terrifying. Just ask the infernos often makes escape and sur- even small, incremental increases in wolf-study team who, like the charac- vival for wildlife hard, especially if high sea level could mean inundations of ter Red Fox in the book, had the good winds whip the flames and increase the

6 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org iStockphoto National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

speed of the fire’s spread through the habitat. Despite the challenges, one the way. Given our enormous techno- stands of pine and mixed hardwood. hope is the ambitious recovery plan for logical capabilities to destroy the natu- True, fire can benefit forests and grass- the red wolf under the Endangered ral world and given nature’s forces, lands. But fire also causes habitat Species Act. The plan mandates a total which we cannot control, the red wolf destruction and fragmentation, both of of three recovery sites establishing a remains a highly endangered animal. which can have significant long-term stable population of at least 220 However, our challenge is to protect effects on wildlife. wolves. Whether that can be accom- real wildlife in real environments. And plished remains unknown. But no that includes the red wolves of north- A Clouded Future, matter what the future for red wolves, eastern North Carolina. n Cautious Optimism the pioneer red wolf program mapped the uncharted territory of wolf reintro- Cornelia Hutt is chair of the board of direc- But in the end, it is sea-level rise duction and recovery. The successful tors of the Red Wolf Coalition, the only that many experts consider the greatest effort to restore gray wolves to the con- nonprofit advocating for the long-term potential threat to red wolves in north- tiguous 48 states is indebted to the survival of endangered red wolves. Please visit the Web site at www.redwolves.com eastern North Carolina and the one work of red wolf managers, who paved most likely to cause their eventual and support the work of the Coalition. demise in the wild. Options for addi- tional red wolf release sites are limited due to dense human population in the Wolf pups, approximately eight weeks old. eastern states and the scarcity of large tracts of undeveloped land within the red wolf’s historical range. Human development has certainly increased throughout the gray wolf’s range as well, but public lands and wilderness areas in the western United States and Canada offer suitable options for expanding that animal’s territory. Given that red wolves are tough enough to have survived seasonal flooding, hurricanes and wildfire since their 1987 reintroduction in North Carolina, it would be tragic if they van- ished into because encroach- Greg Koch ing seawater were to drown their

International Wolf Spring 2012 7 EDWARDS MALE WOLF DISPERSAL 4/20/11 - 10/18/11 2,085 miles in 7 months 380 miles straight line distance between the most distant points

Map courtesy of John Burch Wolf 258’s Long Trek Across Alaska and the Yukon

EDITOR’S NOTE: Wolves are intrepid travelers, Although we do not know that wolf’s precise especially those dispersing to new areas. In the route, International Wolf presents here details past few months, world-famous Wolf OR-7, born in of two other dispersing wolves whose routes northeastern Oregon and wearing a satellite GPS we do know. collar, dispersed southeast to California, where at this writing he roams eastern Lassen County. Veer.com

8 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org by JOHN BURCH

olf 258 was an impressive out the pair’s home range but then left wanderer. In early May to begin his long journey. W2011, this male wolf left Although we do not know where Yukon-Charley Rivers National 258 originated, genetic work may help Preserve, Alaska, and headed out on a us rule out or confirm some likely 2,000-mile (3,219-kilometer) journey possibilities. His natal pack may have over seven months through north- been next door, or he could have come eastern Alaska and western Yukon from far away. His latest route took him Territory, Canada. But this wolf’s jour- across interior Alaska’s forested hills, ney was not unique. Probably hun- over the Brooks Range, then east across dreds of wolves every year throughout the open into northern Canada His latest route took him wolf range take similar trips. What and the Arctic Coast. He then returned was unusual about 258’s journey was to Alaska west across the North Slope that the wolf was wearing a GPS collar, to the Dalton Highway. Aside from a across interior Alaska’s allowing us to track his movements brief foray east, 258 appeared to have almost daily. settled down about 30 miles (48.3 forested hills, over the We captured 258 on November 5, kilometers) southeast of Prudhoe Bay. 2010, via helicopter darting in Yukon- However, in late September he decided Charley as a part of long-term moni- to continue traveling, this time heading Brooks Range, then east toring of the preserve’s wolf population south of the Brooks Range almost to the that began in 1993. We captured him Yukon River. On October 18, 2011, he across the open tundra because he was paired with Female met his demise a mile (1.6 kilometers) 227, a wolf we had followed via telem- east of the Dalton Highway. His move- etry since 2007. The female had bred ments suggest he was reluctant to cross into northern Canada and in the Edwards Creek pack for at least the Dalton Highway; he may have two years. However her pack had never seen a road before. the Arctic Coast. He then dwindled to nothing, so for the past Dispersing wolves take a risk when two years 227 had traveled alone most they leave their natal pack. Resident of the time in her home range. She had packs are territorial and often kill intru- returned to Alaska west briefly paired one other time, but that ders. Thus a dispersing wolf, especially association did not last long. After 227 one that covers hundreds of miles, across the North Slope to finally paired again in August 2010, we must travel a gauntlet through the ter- captured her mate and numbered him ritories of many other packs. 258. He was a 103-pound (46.72-kilo- Whenever either a male or female the Dalton Highway. gram), 2-year-old male in excellent wolf disperses, it is looking for a new condition. The pair had traveled widely place to live and for a mate. If dispers- throughout its home range for a few ing wolves of the opposite sex meet and months before 227 died (probably of find an area unoccupied by resident starvation) in February 2011. Wolf wolves, they breed, produce pups and 258 continued to travel alone through- start a new pack assuming there is Devid Mech

International Wolf Spring 2012 9

Seth McMillan retrieves the carcass of Wolf 258 that likely died of starvation. signal that must be tracked from an Source: enough prey in the area. Sometimes a airplane equipped with a receiver and dispersing wolf can be accepted into an antennas to locate the wolf. Burch, J. 2011. Annual report on vital existing pack as a breeder, replacing a The second, a Global Positioning Sys- signs monitoring of wolf (Canis lupus) former breeder that died. An uncom- tem (GPS) collar, is one we have used distribution and abundance in Yukon- mon scenario is that a dispersing wolf on wolves in Yukon-Charley beginning Charley Rivers National Preserve, is accepted into an intact existing pack. in 2003; this is the type 258 was Central Alaska Network: 2011 report. Exactly how this all transpires between wearing. These collars can be tracked Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/ individual wolves we don’t know. from aircraft like the others, but the big CAKN/NRTR—2011/485. National However, wolves’ sense of smell is at difference is that GPS collars also collect Park Service, Fort Collins, . A least 13 times greater than that of a location every day and transmit it download of the full report is available humans, and possibly a dispersing wolf via satellite to the biologist’s email. at: https://irma.nps.gov/App/ can tell from urine marks that the resi- Many wolves disperse each year. Reference/DownloadDigital File?code= dent pack lacks a breeding wolf of the Some travel hundreds of miles while 434746&file=YuchWolvesNetwork same sex. The bottom line: Dispersing others end up in an adjacent home Monitoring2011AnnualReport.pdf. is risky but worth it if successful. range. With 258’s dispersal, we could fol- We use two types of radio collars to low his route because of his GPS collar. track wolf movements. The first is a In the end, 258’s luck ran out; it looks John Burch is a wildlife biologist for the U.S. National Park Service and has conventional radio collar that has been like he probably starved to death —a risk studied wolves in Alaska for 25 years. used for decades. It transmits a pulsing many dispersing wolves take. n

10 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org Recovered Collar

while they prey on moose more fre- Details Canadian quently, even a small percentage of losses to wolves could have a serious impact on a herd of caribou number- ing fewer than 100. The role of the Wolf’s Journey increasing number of trail and road networks adjacent to the range is also a factor that could upset the wolf- caribou-moose dynamic. In the winter of 2007-08, the first Through Minnesota study of wolves in eastern Manitoba commenced with the capture of eight wolves using helicopter-mounted net guns in an effort to look at the distribution of wolves in and around caribou range. We equipped six wolves with standard radio-tracking collars. These collars were to be located from the air over the next few years. We collared the remaining two wolves with GPS satellite tracking collars, allowing their location to be recorded every 80 minutes for more than a year by TIM DAVIS and stored on the collar for later recov- ery. We measured wolves (length, chest girth and shoulder height) and took or the 10-hour drive from study area within a week of being col- blood samples for genetic studies. The Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, I lared, traveled from eastern Manitoba, wolf discussed in this article was just Fhad thrown a radio-tracking south and east to Lake Superior, pass- over 74 inches (189 centimeters) from antenna on the roof of the car to keep ing through the Quetico-Superior tail to nose, measured 33 inches (84 an ear out for my missing wolves wilderness of and Minnesota. centimeters) at his chest circumference before I crossed into Ontario. Little My study began in 2007, as the and was 29.5 inches (75 centimeters) did I, or anyone else, know that had I basis for a master’s program at the tall at the shoulder. made the trip a few months earlier, University of Manitoba, to look at The collars were activated, and two I would have picked up the telltale wolf predation on an endangered were lost quite early on. Of course, beep of a tracking collar. However, it woodland caribou range. The Owl- both of the missing collars happened would not have been in Manitoba, near Flintstone caribou, the southernmost to be the GPS tracking units, which we where the wolves were first caught, but herd in Manitoba, had been subject needed to get back to receive their minutes outside of Thunder Bay, a dis- to intensive research and monitoring. location data. We searched from the air tance of over 300 miles (483 kilome- However, predation was a major prob- and the ground, contacted nearby ters). This wolf that wore the collar, a lem that had not received attention. wildlife departments that could keep yearling male, vanished from the initial Wolves are the primary predator, and an eye out and eventually gave the Devid Mech

International Wolf Spring 2012 11 collars up as lost or malfunctioning. Dispersing of younger wolves is com- Shortly after my visit to Thunder Bay, mon, and whether the collaring had word came that a collar was recovered anything to do with his departure is by a trapper near that city, who turned it uncertain but unlikely. After two weeks in to the Ministry of Natural Resources, of heading south along the Lake which then gave it to Rolf Peterson Winnipeg shoreline, the wolf passed thinking it was from one of his Isle by the small village of Libau on the Royale wolves. Peterson didn’t recog- Red River Delta, approximately 70 nize it, so he gave it to Dave Mech whose miles (113 kilometers) from Bissett. By project had been using this type of col- April 4, he reached the beach town of lar. When Mech and his team down- Falcon Lake and entered Ontario. In loaded the data, however, they found early spring, Lake of the Woods is still the wolf had been collared in Manitoba passable, but even in April, the ice is and contacted me. A year’s worth of the starting to shift and melt. After 10

Photo courtesy Davis of Tim detailed wolf’s travels were discovered. days of negotiating across the lake, Tim Davis Data from the collar provide a the wolf headed south to the Rainy virtual journal of the wolf’s daily activ- River. By the end of April, he had ity, beginning with the March 1, 2008, crossed into Minnesota, making a short capture. After spending two weeks in detour up to Rainy Lake, for a total the capture area, the wolf departed. distance of more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) over two months. Continu- WOLF TRAVEL JOURNAL ing eastward, the next month saw Date Location Distance the wolf pass through Superior Mar 1, 2008 Captured near Bissett, MB 0 mi National Forest, the western por- April 1, 2008 Libau, MB 70 mi tion of the Boundary Waters Canoe May1, 2008 International Falls, MN 330 mi Area Wilderness and Ontario’s June 1, 2008 Lake, ON 545 mi Quetico Provincial Park, reaching Mar 7, 2009 Collar data ends 3,116 mi total the eastern extent of his travels at Dog Lake, Ontario. For the remainder of the year, the wolf explored the Thunder Bay region extensively, finally settling into a territory around the dramatic cascades of Kakabeka Falls, due west of Thunder Bay. The wolf may have joined a local pack at this time, or remained solitary, making regular use of forestry roads and trails and approaching the town site and local dump to scavenge off the bustling tourist traffic in the area. By the time the collar shut down, the wolf had traveled 3,116 miles (4,986 kilometers) from where he started, a straight-line distance of 400 miles (644 kilometers). While dispersal of many young wolves has been documented, GPS tracking has shown the details of the amazing routes wolves travel in search of new homes. n Tim Davis is a master’s degree student in the Department of Environment and Geography at the University of Manitoba, and works as a GIS/wildlife technician in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He has studied the impact of human development on boreal caribou and wolves since 2005.

12 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org Mike Possis Montana Wolf Hunt Report by JESS EDBERG, information services director

he wolf harvest season in identifies 14 distinct Wolf Management sents a significant portion of the Montana, which started Units (WMUs) each with its own quota state’s wolf population, whelping of TSeptember 3, 2011, will run based on wolf densities and land area. pups in the spring almost doubles the through February 15, 2012, and has According to Montana Fish, Wildlife wolf population. The FWP anticipates claimed 137 wolves [1]. State officials and Parks (FWP), the goal is to manage the hunt will reduce the state’s over- extended the season from December 31 wolves similarly to black bears and all wolf population between 7 and 25 to February 15 in some areas to achieve mountain lions. Basing management percent in 2012. the statewide quota of 220 wolves. decisions on wolf numbers, distribu- The 2011 quota is up from Mon- Montana has been managing its tion and public acceptance while tana’s 2009 wolf hunt, which was its wolves since May 5, 2011, when the maintaining a minimum of 15 breed- first since federal listing under the U.S. Secretary of the Interior reissued ing pairs, the plan engages a variety of Endangered Species Act. In 2009, the the April 2009 delisting rule per con- conflict-resolution techniques, ranging quota was 72 wolves statewide in three gressional action. Unlike delisting from simple harassment to chase WMUs, and the season ended in rules issued in the past, this action also wolves away to lethal control such as mid-November. excludes the rule from judicial review. providing kill permits to landowners The increased quota has raised eye- Montana’s wolf hunt is part of the and regulated or trapping. brows of those concerned with resil- state’s approved wolf management The FWP Web site states, “The aim iency of the population as a whole. plan, which includes updates based on is to sustain the wolf population, Wolf hunting opponents not only the Montana Wolf Management Montana’s deer and populations, question the reasoning behind holding Advisory Council’s recommendations. and to help resolve wolf-human and a wolf hunt but also voice concerns The plan allows for an annual wolf-livestock conflicts.” over how the hunt affects individual harvest that coincides with the state’s The 2010 population of wolves packs. Packs that experience the death archery and firearms ungulate (hoofed in Montana was at least 566 (fwp. of a dominant member such as the ) hunting seasons. The plan mt.gov). Although the quota repre- breeding male or female sometimes

International Wolf Spring 2012 13 The goal of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is to manage wolves similarly to black bears, americanus (left), and mountain lions, Puma concolor (right). Roesemarie Lamb

Becki Johnson Glacier NP

react by dissolving and dispersing. However, the behavioral effects are Great Falls more difficult to research and analyze. In October, protesters rallied out- side of the state’s capitol in Helena ask- Helena ing Governor Brian Schweitzer to immediately end the wolf hunt and called for an economic and travel boy- Billings cott of Montana, and . Proponents of the hunt view it as an opportunity to potentially prevent future depredations of livestock by tar- geting specific packs that have been involved in depredation incidents or wolves that live on or near grazing lands. This proactive approach to dep- Open Closed No Season This map depicts the 14 wolf management (quota units implemented by Montana Fish, redation control, albeit controversial, is regulated) Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to monitor the seen as a way to implement a cost-sav- number of wolves killed during the state’s ing, revenue-generating method of wolf harvest. The FWP Commission lethal control. extended the wolf season through Most hunters who kill wolves take February 15, 2012, or until the quota them incidentally to elk and/or deer is met, whichever comes first. hunting during the general season residents of Montana and $350 for from October 22 to November 27. nonresidents, the state did not achieve The general backcountry season half its wolf quota. began September 15. Wolf hunters are Wolf activity in the fall generally required to report their kill within involves greater travel, making locat- 12 hours and present the head and ing wolves more unpredictable for pelt within 10 days if they wish to hunters. An extension of the hunt keep the parts. Hunters who kill to Feburary 15 remains controversial. wolves generally do not process the The outcome of the wolf hunt in animal for its but rather take the Montana will not be immediately evi- pelt for a rug or for sale. dent and may take months to be mea- During the five-week elk and deer surable for the long-term. n season, FWP estimates 150,000 hunt- ers were in the field. Even though 1. Number of wolves harvested at time of printing. For updated numbers, visit fwp.mt.gov/hunting/pla- nearly 20,000 wolf-hunting licenses nahunt/huntingGuides/wolf/ were sold at a cost of $19 each for

14 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org Tracking the Pack

April 28 and May 5. Many their sensory abilities such as It’s That Time Again: factors can affect the wolf sight and hearing begin to Pups in 2012! breeding season such as develop. This is the time to weather, nutrition and even introduce the pups to the by Lori Schmidt, wolf curator, the age of the female, but sights and sounds of our cap- International Wolf Center generally speaking, wolves tive facility and for the pups breed in late January through to meet their future pack- March and whelp pups mates, Aidan and Denali, he International Wolf the female wolf as to when 60–65 days later. through the fence. Center will be raising she whelps a litter. Below is a T Females typically display Based on the estimated pups in summer 2012 per recap of the whelping dates of some pre-denning behavior whelping date, we expect to our management policy to wolves acquired by the including den digging, meet our pups sometime introduce new members to Center. becoming more reclusive, or between May 10 and May 17, the Exhibit Pack every four they tend to localize in one although we need to be pre- years. The four-year rotation April 24, 1989 general area. In captivity, this pared for anything. The cur- prevents overpopulating the April 28, 1993 can mean they spend more rent plan is to have the pups Exhibit Pack and allows the May 8, 2000 time in a den box. Captive make a quick appearance older wolves to have several May 5, 2004 facilities observe this type of in the Twin Cities before trav- years of retirement before the April 27, 2008 behavior and try to determine eling to Ely, Minnesota. On next generation retires. Many the approximate whelping May 24, we plan to begin the people are interested in the Shadow and Malik, arctic date. Once the Center’s wolf first of many public programs timing of our 2012 pups’ subspecies, had the latest management team receives a on the pups at the Center’s arrival—including the wolf birthing pattern (May 8, call about the litter’s birth, the educational facility in Ely. To care staff, which has a signifi- 2000). Since we are tenta- countdown begins. keep tabs on news regarding cant amount of preparation tively acquiring subspecies It has been our policy to our newest pups, become our to do prior to the arrival of similar to the 1993 and 2004 socialize wolf pups between friend on Facebook, watch the pups. We can only speak litters, we expect the whelp- 12 and 14 days of age during our YouTube channel, and generally because it is up to ing period to occur between the “transition stage,” when check out Wolf Logs at www. wolf.org. n

Shadow and Malik, arctic subspecies, had the latest birthing pattern of the Center’s ambassador wolves. They are pictured here Shadow greets 2008 litter Denali, 2008, at in the summer of 2000. of Aidan and Denali 14 days of age. Amy Farrar Briem Awen Briem Awen

Ballazar Makenzie Shadow Grizzer Aidan Jedadiah Lukas Malik Maya Denali 1989 Raissa 1993 Lakota 2000 2004 Nyssa 2008 2012 Bausha Kiana

International Wolf Spring 2012 15 INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER Major Contributors and Special Gifts SEPTEMBER 2011 – NOVEMBER 2011

Major Peter Randall In memory of To the students In honor of In honor of Shasta, Matching Peter J. Insel: who helped me Nathan and Linda: , Spirit and Kona: Donors Sherry Ray move my rock: Gifts and Valerie and Nancy Harman and Barbara Legler Patricia Bellace Debbie Reynolds Newton Powell Lori Schmidt Terry Bryant Foundations In honor of Carol and Bruce Saint Louis Park Senior In memory of In honor of my In honor of Sprint and Racer: Ameriprise High School Roots and Leonard Kmak: precious wolves Nyssa and Maya: on behalf of: Bryant Karen Blaha Shoots Club Josie and Maghigan- Ruth Ann Kmak Arthur and Vicki Kristine Elias Regina Carius Dakota “Cody” In honor of Kristine Jerry Sanders and Bomberger Erik Johnson Rosie Denny Deborah Hinchcliffe In memory of Maya: Irma Hines Stack’s birthday: Dawn Ewing Shannin Seeholzer Kathleen Hess Latonya Jackson Daniele De Ponthiere Catherine Shepard In honor of the In honor of The Andrews Family Shy Hicks Country Veterinary In honor of our Helen and Stephen Melonie Shipman Catherine, Evan and Foundation Clinic: beloved companions Deutsch Lianne Muhl Lynn Reynolds: Ted and Barbara Rocco, Ajax The Blue Heron Fund Sharene Smith Julie Veneklasen Anonymous Ronald Dudley Spaulding and Isabelle: of the Grand Rapids In memory of Nadia: In honor of Dakota: In honor of Area Community Kayla Flavia Adele Swenson John and Mayumi Foundation Gerald Fox Bernadette Cook Pam Churn: Hughes Gerald Fox Amber Tamblyn Lorianne Churn In loving memory In honor of To the Wolfman, Cooper Industries Bridget Fusco on behalf of: Nancy jo Tubbs of our pack leader, Nancy Gibson: In honor of my SGK. I miss you: Kayla: Valerie Gates Helen Tyson Vincent J. Ryan daughter Lilly Crook: Rebecca Stanek Tobin Sobaski Ken and Michiel Gerritsen In honor of Rebecca Kohler In honor of Susan Xcel Energy Kathryn and Robert Margaret Flavia Vizas Alec Hendrickson: Wolfstar for helping on behalf of: Nancy Gibson and In honor of In memory of my us complete our first Ron Sternal Steven Hendrickson Judy Hunter: Sue Blomquist Bruce Weeks loving companion year of shamanic Sharon Froehle healer training: The Holthues Trust Johanna Goering Katherine Wilcox Kiana: In honor of Luke Jandreski, who In honor of my Paige Madison, Joe and Jody Jean V. Ruth The Kimberly Clark Joseph and Shirley will become the next daughter, Matilda, Beverly, Cindy, Greenhalgh Wolf great wildlife vet: Foundation In memory of my and all the others Dottie, Flame, on behalf of: brother, Jeff Peterson, Erin Harri Teri Williams Denise Jandreski who love wolves Franciska, Kiara, who loved the wild: so very much: Lindy, Loring and Richard Kandiko Charles and Sharon In honor of Kat: Sandy Wendy Dehkes Microsoft on behalf of: Heck Memorials Cynthia Lee Wolfe Molitor To all eight of my In memory of For Odin: Anonymous Judy Hunter In memory of grandchildren with Lloyd W. Towner: In honor of Raul Garcia my dog Bear: Patricia Kmak: Erik Bjelke love and care: Neil Hutt Nancy Towner Craig Caston Ruth Ann Kmak In honor of wonderful Catherine Harlander Kristine Karnos In memory of all the In-Kind Oscar, the newest To all the German In memory of Gizmo: wolf families torn In honor of Jacinta Hart Kehoe member of the wolf shepherd I Donations apart and slaughtered Wayne Lampi: Tina Velazquez care team: have had, which are Jeanie and Murray because of barbaric Aimee Richcreek Suzanne Hembly relatives to the wolf. Kilgour In memory of laws and men: Joyce Wells Baxter Jack Ersfeld and I love them all: Vitra and In honor of Maya: In honor of Virginia Kluwin Lee Hartung: Marnell Wilber Nancy Gibson Ernesto Garcia Donna Mack Siobhan Pasternack: Ronald Baran Sharon Hibbard Connie and Nick Iwanski JoAnn Pasternack To preserve this LaFond In memory of Karen Peterson ancient and Bob Landis Honorary In honor of Ken Larson Dr. and Mrs. Franklyn: compelling bond— In honor of all In honor of Sandra Rea: human, wolf and Deborah Lewis Robyn Franklyn Linda and Harold the members of Ayla Miller: Caroline Rea the wild: Lemke Kim Loomis In memory of the International Marije Miller Priscilla Hughs In honor of the Delores Guthrie: Wolf Center: Suzanne Richcreek Dave Mech In honor of my marriage of Toni Mary Price Teri Williams Robino, my wolf sister, Dave Messinger mom—keep up the good fight: to her adored Doug: Estates In memory of In honor of the Avery Mikel Jack Heck: wonderful staff, Code Sternal Ann Gross Harold R. Kramer teachers and Bob and Carol Mucha Elisabeth Bockoski dedicated workers Edna Mae Lamb of the International Jason Mulligen In memory of Wolf Center: Roger and Hollie Harold Houghton: Meredith Bradshaw Parsons Jean Green and Family Patricia Pettis Beverly James Thank You!

16 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org Seeks to Bring Back the seventh century, and over centuries and across regions, they were associ- its Once-Sacred Wolves ated with saving the crops of farmers by hunting the deer and that by Tracy O’Connell otherwise destroyed them. People would pray to the wolf to save the Editor’s note: The last issue of International (Currently only the Arab wolf is smaller crops and carry a talisman with a wolf Wolf announced the pending meeting of the than the Japanese wolf at the time of image, which was variously said to also Japan Wolf Association, held in , to pro- its extinction.) Over time two wild protect against fire, theft and ill health mote the importation of wolves to control crop canids were reported in Japan, the wolf and ensure crop and human fertility. damage caused by deer and wild boar. At that and the mountain dog, a canid of Japanese historian Brett Walker of time, 83,000 people had signed a petition in Montana traces this early view, which support of the move. The island nation saw obscure identity. the loss of its last native wolves more than a In addition to distinctions made as was embedded in a respect for nature century ago. This article examines that his- to their size, head shape and the sound and influenced by Buddhist, tory in greater detail. of their howl, it was noted (without and Confucian thought. Nature was explanation) that wolves were edible seen as a place of uncertainty, and while mountain dogs were not. wolves were important guides and he gates to the temple are However, terms for dog, wolf and guarded by two stone figures, mountain dog appear to be used in both canine. The animal on the T many mentions interchangeably, and right was depicted with its mouth references to the mountain dog have open; the one on the left, with its been discussed by scientists as possible mouth closed. Together, they created terms for occasional, feral dogs rather a mystical symbol—the Japanese than for a separate subspecies of wolf. words for “open mouth sound” and Some say this latter creature resulted for “closed mouth sound” in combina- from hybridization with dogs to tion created the word “aun,” known increase the hunting skill of the domes- in Sanskrit as “om,” the sound of the tic animals such as those owned by the universe. Ainu, many of which, like the kishu Wolves have been worshipped in and shiba breeds, were wolfish in Japan for at least 1,000 years, as both appearance. The matter is further con- messengers of the divine and as divine fused when distinctions are made in themselves, by two of the three ethnic the literature between the Japanese groups that populated the island in its wolf and the Chinese, Mongolian and early days—the third group lived in an Korean wolf, since the nomenclature area uninhabited by wolves. Ethnic seems to refer as much to national Japanese called the wolf the “Large identity and relations among the Mouth Pure God.” The , relevant nations as to a dis- an ethnic minority who lived on the tinct difference in the ani- northern island, Hokkaido, saw it as a mal in question. god itself and their ancestor. aside, wolves Yet the taxonomy of the canine is were seen as protectors in cloaked in confusion in this nation, early Japan, starting around Gobetz Wally due in part to the role this animal has played in myth, religion and culture. The Japanese wolf is believed to have come from 20,000 years ago A canid guardian where wolves were large and to have to the temple been dwarfed in response to changes in climate and prey over the millennia.

International Wolf Spring 2012 17 guardians. The “sending wolf” was a were considered a danger, this task being that could provide either safety was reserved for only the most severe or harm. Stories were told of people cases of predation, and relocation of Dr. Brett Walker, feeding starving wolves and later being troublesome wolves was a preferred professor of history, studied rewarded—rescued from danger them- course of action. living wolves as selves. Daily offerings of bean and rice Over time, the view of wolves well as historical cakes were therefore made to wolves, became clouded. Common at this time ones to enrich his in reality or symbolically, to gain this was the practice of disposing of human understanding. support. corpses in rivers, where they would While there were occasional stories often be consumed by wolves. of a , it was seen as part of Especially in time of famine, such as in the unavoidable uncertainty of nature, the 12th century near Kyoto, when distant and apart from the civility there were many bodies being dis- and order of city life. A profound posed of in this way, the sight of wolves respect for all living things, embed- devouring human carrion reduced ded in the culture and enforced in them in the eyes of viewers from their some cases by legislation, protected lofty status as protectors. wolves as well as other animals from Views started to change more dras- harm. While some wolves were tically in the 17th century, driven first allowed to be killed because they by increased travel, which saw more people on roads where they encoun- Ancient breeds such as the tered wolves more frequently, and then and kishu (left) were kept by the by an outbreak of that affected Ainu people of ancient Japan. the canine population, resulting in numerous reports of wolf attacks on

Kato travelers. Hundreds of townspeople would rally at the sound of blasts on a conch shell, joining hunts for report- edly mad wolves. The dawn of the Meiji era, starting in 1868, saw the end of feudalism and the uniting of the nation under an emperor. During the 50-year period bearing this name, the nation modern- ized rapidly and looked to the West for new and better ways to increase pro- ductivity. This included a move in agri- culture from mostly grain production, in which the wolves helped protect crops from ravishment by wild ungu- lates, to the raising of livestock. To provide adequate pastures for their stock, the Ainu were assimilated into the rapidly modernizing Japanese culture in a manner similar to that experienced by Native Americans in the United States. Their land was redis- tributed, and they were made to learn the and discontinue their cultural traditions. As more land was cleared for live- stock, increasing numbers of deer were harvested, which would otherwise compete for scarce resources in the harsh, mountainous terrain. As cut into the territory of wolves and International Wolf Center International Wolf their ungulate food source vanished,

18 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org the wolves began to hunt livestock, The area is known as one of the Walker, visiting sites where wolf imag- killing , cattle and sheep. major producers of shiitake mush- ery exists, was told a story by the Faced with losses that made their rooms in Japan, with nearly one in four keeper of a shrine where the wolf talis- nascent ranching venture unprofitable, households involved in farming. In fis- man was believed to protect crops the Japanese fought back, and among cal 2008, wild boars and deer damaged from damage. Although the wolves their tools were the methods their U.S. crops worth a reported 32.2 million have been gone for a century, it is said advisors, such as -born rancher yen (more than $300,000 U.S.). The that around the area of the shrine, no Edward Dun, brought to the table. city set up nets and traps and elimi- crop damage was taking place. n Traps, bounties, strychnine and den- nated 2,500 animals on average each ning (the removal of pups from dens) year. With an aging human population Sources: were used to exterminate the once- unable to hunt, the region is examin- revered canids, now seen as a barrier to ing the importation of canid predators. Lost Wolves of Japan, Brett Walker, the advancement of culture and com- The municipal government’s plans University of Washington Press, 2005 merce in a modern world. include research into the status of wild Historian Walker studied wolves in animals used in a program www.tunturisusi.com/wolf/index.htm Yellowstone to enrich his understand- and obtaining understanding of the www.houseofjapan.com/local/ ing of the animals, volunteering to project from local citizens as well as oita-city-to-reintroduce-wolves accompany scientists making observa- surrounding municipalities and the tions of several packs and radio-col- national government. The city plans to articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/ lared individuals. His work compares set up a research center to allow citi- 28/news/mn-21657 the fortune of wolves at the hands of zens to get used to wolves before they various developing nations. He traces are released into the wild. Tracy O’Connell is associate professor of how in both the United States and While this modern nation has marketing communications at the University Japan, land was taken from the native moved on from its roots in the mystery of -River Falls and serves on the peoples (though the status of the Ainu of nature and the mythos of the wolf, it International Wolf Center’s communications as indigenous is not established) and is believed, in at least some places, the and magazine committees. wild herbivores ( in the United wolf’s protective power still lingers. States and deer and wild boars in Japan) were slaughtered to make way for livestock production. In both cases, this was followed by the killing of wolves when they began to prey on domestic animals. The desire to reintroduce wolves to Japan has been discussed for more than a decade. One measure covered by Russian and Japanese media in early 2011 was the planned research into the introduction of wolves to a region called Oita on the Japanese island of Kyushu.

Tokyo

Kyushu Japan

International Wolf Spring 2012 19 A New Wolf Pack in Kananaskis Country and then started to head up into the trees (gray wolf leading) where the bears had retreated. The wolves pro- Text and photos by Jeff MacIntyre gressed a few feet up into the trees on the scent trail of the bears when the he sunrise was lovely as I headed rosehips appeared to be their forage. sow made a short charge toward them, into Kananaskis Country in As they seemed undisturbed by my chasing them back into the open where Twestern , Canada. That presence, I continued to observe them they continued to sniff around. The in itself made my day a success, but from my car, and they grazed a bit black wolf did a raised-leg urination little did I realize how great a success it closer. When they got roughly 50 feet and scrape. After a good, thorough would eventually be. About an hour (15.24 meters) from me, between road sniff around, the wolves stood together into my drive, I spotted a gorgeous sil- and tree line, the sow alerted, and all looking south and sniffed the air. ver grizzly sow with two fat, silver year- three bears started toward the tree line They then continued north and crossed ling cubs grazing beside the road and east of the road. the road to the west with the gray stopped, staying in my car to watch I thought they’d alerted to my pres- wolf still in the lead. They travelled out them. The sow did not seem to pay me ence, and I started to pull away to leave of sight into the trees, heading down- any attention. The cubs glanced my them to feed when right beside my car hill to the west. way, and all three bears continued to on the same side of the road a gray, Soon after the wolves left, the three graze as I observed them. Berries or adult wolf appeared—to my great bears reappeared and continued to surprise. There hadn’t been graze in the same area. I continued to a breeding wolf pack in the watch the bears, and within a few min- area since the 1990s. The utes, I heard wolves howling from the wolf followed the bears area where the gray and black had dis- toward the tree line, stop- appeared. The howls were immedi- ping to sniff around where ately answered by what sounded like the bears had been feed- three or more individuals very close by ing. The gray wolf was soon to the east side of the road, south of my followed and joined by a location. Some of the responding large black wolf. They sniffed voices were very high pitched. around quite thoroughly Just prior to the howling, a man in where the bears had been a black Jeep heading north had stopped to photograph the bears. As I looked in my side mirror past his vehicle, I saw a black wolf pup cross the road behind his vehicle (east to west), trav- eling over or around the guardrail on the west side of the road out of sight. The first black wolf pup was soon followed by a second. My first impres- sion seeing the wolf pups was that Above: Gray wolves catching the scent they were this year’s pups, not year- of nearby bears. lings. Later, after having seen a photo that the man behind me had taken Right: The black wolf does a raised leg urination. through a long lens, this impression was confirmed because I could see the wolf pup in relation to the nearby guardrail. I believe the gray adult wolf was a female and that the black was a male. The confident lead role of the gray wolf and the raised-leg urination

20 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org of the black, adult made me believe I reported that the adult, black wolf I Various conservation officers and saw a breeding pair. had seen was, indeed, the breeding ecologists working in the area have I watched in both directions for a male. He was originally collared (with shown substantial interest in my obser- few minutes as I observed the bears a GPS collar) in Banff last year and vations and photos. Distribution to feeding but saw no more wolves cross. went on a walkabout, ending up in people in the field is apparently hap- By this time, the photographer behind Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, where pening as it should. These field me had exited his car to walk to the he and his mate denned this year. researchers are leaning toward the west side of the road to look down On November 28, I received an belief that the black adult I saw is a slope where the pups had disappeared email from Alberta Parks and Protected wolf named Skoki. into the trees. The bears then started to Areas thanking me for my reported What makes these sightings so excit- the north, crossing the road to the west wolf observations and photos taken ing is that there had not been a wolf roughly in the same place that the near Peter Lougheed Provincial Park pack in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park adult wolves had crossed. The bears on September 25. Since my sighting, for more than 10 years. The pack of the headed into the trees, travelling north Carrie Hunt of Wind River Bear 1990s dispersed shortly after Nakoda, just inside the tree line as if they were Institute, Florence, Montana, has seen the breeding female, was shot, accord- waiting for an opportunity to come a similar black wolf in the area. ing to Alberta Parks and Protected back to the roadside to graze. At this Hunt and her crew have actively Areas. Small groups or individuals have point, the man in the Jeep had left, and worked with Kananaskis Country been sighted occasionally since the pre- I left as well, thinking that the bears bears and are currently providing wild- vious pack dispersed, but there haven’t might wish to return to grazing on the life monitoring for the Pocaterra been any resident wolves. n roadside bushes. The entire observa- Penstock Project. tion probably lasted 15 minutes. Hunt’s crew sighted a black, adult Three weeks later on October 16, wolf in canyon campground in Peter For more on Sokoki, go to 2011, Melanie Percy, senior park ecol- Lougheed Provincial Park in late blog.wildernessprints.com/2011/02/ ogist, Kananaskis Region, Alberta November. A construction crew later skoki-and-kananaskis-wolves.html. Parks and Protected Areas, Canmore, saw a group of four wolves that matched my descriptions and photos Jeff MacIntyre lives in Okotoks, Alberta, on the Smith-Dorrien/Spray Trail. Canada and spends 7-10 weeks each year watching wolves in Yellowstone National Park.

Gray wolves following the bears as they retreat to the tree line.

International Wolf Spring 2012 21 Meet the Pack

AidanThe Fiery One Aidan was born on April 27, Welcome to Wild Kids! 2008, and since then has been part of the International Wolf Dear Reader, Center’s Exhibit Pack with his The International Wolf Center is proud to bring back International Wolf’s youth littermate Denali. Aidan is an page, beginning with this issue. As adults, we know the importance of wolves and Irish Gaelic name that usually wildlands to the overall health of our environment. We also know that many of you means “little fiery one” when share our wish to connect more young people with the importance of the natural world. translated into English. It is a Wild Kids will be dedicated to connecting young people with wolves, wildlands and very appropriate name for the natural world. Please pass this issue’s Wild Kids along to the young people in your Aidan. As a pup, Aidan showed life, or consider giving them a membership to the International Wolf Center, so they his hunting skills earlier than can connect with this content on their own. Denali did, and Aidan was This space will be exciting, dynamic and engaging for young readers of all ages. always very focused on any Each month we’ll feature “Notes from the Field” and “Meet the Pack” as well as stories movement in the enclosure. As and pictures from and about our young supporters. Please feel free to contact us with an adult, Aidan is quick to guard feedback about these pages and ideas for the space. We are excited to make sure Wild things and will chase Denali Kids Kids is the best it can be. throughout the exhibit. ld Sincerely, i Jerritt Johnston, director of education W

Aidan! Vocabulary Adapt: To adjust or change to a specific location or situation Predator: An animal that lives by eating other animals : Something that allows an animal to blend into its natural surroundings International Wolf Center International Wolf

22 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org High School Seniors Raise Awareness and Money Inspired by meeting Dr. Jane Goodall and learning about her international from environmental and humanitarian program for youth, St. Louis Park High School Notes seniors Jesse Abelson and Shane West started a club called Roots and Shoots ield to learn more about problems and issues in their community and to identify the F ways to make the world a better place. They chose to adopt the gray wolf as a species to help and then held a What’s in your backyard? At the fundraiser to support gray wolves International Wolf Center in Ely, in Minnesota. The 10 club members, Minnesota, we have so many things in all students at the St. Louis Park, our backyard that we can explore and Minnesota, school learned about the learn from. Not only do we have the wolf, raised awareness of issues per- Ambassador Wolves, but we also see taining to the species and placed wild wolves in the woods behind the donation jars in more than 30 class- Center from time to time. Very cool! rooms with announcements promot- In Ely, it is still winter, and for us ing the fundraiser. They organized that means the chance to see tracks. classroom competitions to help boost Recently there were tracks outside Photo provided by Jesse Abelson donations and encouraged teachers Jesse Abelson (left) and Shane West (right). that were very interesting: two large, and families to donate as well. oval holes right next to each Jesse and Shane donated the more than $600 they raised to the International other with two small circu- Wolf Center. All of us at the Center are grateful to these young men and their lar holes just behind them. classmates for their initiative, leadership and generosity. n What animal do you think made the tracks? Why do the tracks look the way they do? What animal could live in this deep snow and get around Word Find so well? If you haven’t figured it out Find the words in the word bank (bottom) yet, it is the snow- hidden in the puzzle. Words can go forward, Play! shoe hare. backward, up, down or diagonally. This cool animal is adapted for life in cold, snowy cli- H E R B I V O R E R N H mates. Its large, back R U C K G P L K C A R T feet help it move through deep snow, Robert Whitney O E L S A O G S K P W L just like snowshoes T E V Z D Z G O R O B E help us. It also changes from white A F I A Z N L N L E R T in the winter to brown in the summer. D I A I E U A F O O I P An all-white hare in the summer might be too easy to spot for local E E W Z D B E L V W R U predators, but in the winter in the far R P D V F X J I D E J P north white is perfect camouflage. P A B R V D N A E L A N Do you have snowshoe hares where X W I X C R M D Q M I W you live? Check the map to find out. If so, have you seen their tracks in J Z H G A V O P Z H L W the snow this year? If there are no R M C C H A B I T A T Z hares where you live, what animal can you think of that is Word Bank adapted to thrive near you? n beaver predator elk wildlands paw deer track herbivore carnivore pup habitat wolf

International Wolf Spring 2012 23 Wolf recovery in the NRM has been Wolves Must be Managed to a true success story. Wolves are thriv- Minimize Conflicts with People ing in Wyoming, and the population continues to increase annually. by Mike Jimenez Recovery goals have been exceeded for 10 consecutive years. It’s time to delist wolves in Wyoming and make n 1995 and 1996, the U.S. Fish out of control and are an increasing the transition to state management. and Wildlife Service (USFWS) re- threat to ungulate populations in The Wyoming Game and Fish Depart- Iintroduced 35 wolves into central Wyoming. On the flip side, tourists ment is a well-funded agency com- Idaho and 31 wolves into Yellowstone travel to Wyoming in the hope that prised of experienced, professional National Park (YNP) with the goal of they have an opportunity to see a wolf biologists who are committed to re-establishing a viable wolf popula- in a national park. conserving and managing wolves tion throughout the Northern Rocky Despite all the controversial media above federal recovery levels. It is well Mountains (NRM). Recovery goals coverage and heated public debates, acquainted with the challenge of were set at 30 or more breeding pairs wolves can be effectively managed, and balancing the various public interests comprised of 300 or more wolves that conflicts can be kept to acceptable lev- concerning high-profile animals as were well distributed among the recov- els. For the last 16 years, the USFWS demonstrated by their successful ery areas of central Idaho, Yellowstone has both managed wolf population management of other large carnivore and northwestern Montana. Shortly growth and distribution in Wyoming to species in the state. after reintroduction, wolves began dis- minimize chronic loss of livestock from Additional information about persing and recolonizing parts of wolves and promoted wolf conserva- wolves in Wyoming and the NRM can Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Wolf tion by maintaining the wolf popula- be found at westerngraywolf.fws.gov. n recovery became a remarkable conser- tion well above recovery objectives. For vation success story when recovery example, in 2010, the wolf population Mike Jimenez, the science and manage- goals were met in 2002. (outside YNP) consisted of at least 230 ment coordinator for the USFWS NRM Unfortunately, wolves don’t fit wolves living in at least 34 packs of wolf program, has worked as a wolf everywhere in Wyoming, especially which 19 or more breeding pairs pro- biologist for the last 25 years in Montana, where increasing wolf-human conflicts duced 77 or more pups that survived Idaho, British Columbia and Wyoming. erode local tolerance and cause a pub- through December 31, 2010. Livestock He was the project leader for the release lic backlash against wolves. Much of depredations have been kept relatively of reintroduced wolves in Idaho in 1995 and 1996. Since 1999 he has been the northwest Wyoming is remote and low for years even though the wolf project leader for wolf recovery in mountainous with abundant prey to population has continued to increase. Wyoming. support a viable wolf population. Increased human tolerance of Wolves initially recolonized these wolves has allowed wolves to expand remote areas where interactions with their range throughout the NRM. The humans were minimal; however, as biggest future challenge will be effec- Mike O’Connell wolf recovery continued and those tively managing wolves to minimize areas became saturated with resident wolf-human conflicts in such a way wolf packs, wolves expanded into that public tolerance is maintained and areas near rural communities, living viable wolf populations can persist. closer to people with pets, livestock Scientific research has provided insights and other domestic animals. Public into complicated natural predator-prey opinions about wolves have become systems, but the real answer to where extreme, ranging from intensely nega- wolves will be allowed to exist and how tive to very positive. Many residents in many wolves will be tolerated will be rural agricultural communities detest driven by human values. Ironically, nei- wolves for killing their livestock and ther science nor technology can answer pets, while guides, outfitters and hunt- this question adequately. ers believe wolf numbers have grown

24 Spring 2012 www.wolf.org