THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER VOLUME 21, NO. 1 SPRING 2011 Features Departments The Scientific Classification 3 From the 4 of Wolves: Canis lupus soupus Executive Director How many kinds of wolves are there? And what are the differences? Tracking the Pack eullette 17 O This is a really good question, and the answer is getting more Joan complicated all the time. 19 Wolf Tracks by L. David Mech 21 Book Review The Wolves of Transylvania 22 Personal Encounter 8 The wolves of Romania are “Eurasian Wolves,” Canis lupus lupus, a subspecies which prior to the 20th century 24 A Look Beyond ranged over most of the vast supercontinent, but now reduced in extent due to human persecution and loss of habitat, especially in the West. On the Cover . Sparks E Photo by Raymond Laible lan A by Alan E. Sparks In the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park Wolf ’06 destined to be the breeding female of the Lamar Wolf ’06 of Lamar Canyon Canyon Pack, woos future pack 13 Yellowstone National Park is a paradise for wolf members 755M and 754M. watchers who get to know specific wolves, their personalities and their relationships to other wolves. This article details the Did you know... life of one of those wolves. one easy way for you to help us conserve Jimmy Jones by Laurie Lyman natural resources is to make sure we have your email address. Simply email your address to: [email protected] olland H Dave Publications Director he winter 2010 issue of International Wolf sparked several comments, Mary Ortiz both positive and negative (see executive director’s letter page 3). Magazine Coordinator Below are a few representative examples of the responses. Bruce Erickson T Graphics Coordinator Carissa L. Winter “While I do applaud the good works the “The articles written by Dave Mech International Wolf Center does for the and Jim Hammill caused this reader Consulting Editor Fran Howard welfare of our wolves, I do also have to to stop more than once and think about Technical Editor highly condemn the proposal of offer- what I thought I knew about current L. David Mech ing money for the blood of wolves. You gray wolf issues. The fact these articles Graphic Designer MUST know that anytime a bounty is presented concise and varying points of Tricia Austin put on any animal it is but a short while view on hunting/trapping was brilliant. International Wolf (1089-683X) is published before the situation gets out of hand. This issue of International Wolf will quarterly and copyrighted, 2011, by the Please try to put that one-plus million cause its readers to question current International Wolf Center, 3410 Winnetka Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN 55427, USA. dollars to better use.” — V. H. practices and possibly even think about email: [email protected]. what is best for the wolf. I welcome a All rights reserved. “L. David Mech’s article ‘Considera- healthy debate, even from our fiercest Publications agreement no. 1536338 tions for Developing Wolf Harvesting critics. This issue gets my vote as one Membership in the International Wolf Center includes a subscription to International Wolf Regulations’ was a shocking read. of the best, with the possible exception magazine, free admission to the Center, and Snaring and trapping might be a more of the red wolf issue.” —K. W. discounts on programs and merchandise. • Lone Wolf memberships are U.S. $35 acceptable method of wolf control, but • Wolf Pack $60 • Wolf Associate $125 in my opinion cause unnecessary pain, “Enjoyed your winter 2010 issue.” • Wolf Sponsor $500 • Alpha Wolf $1,000. suffering and distress. Suggesting that —C. N. Canada and other countries, add U.S. $15 per year for airmail postage, $7 for surface killing of wolves should be allowed postage. Contact the International Wolf Center, through February, which would reduce “Hi Mary. Your question about films 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA; email: [email protected]; populations as pregnant females could rang a chord with me. I used to be a phone: 800-ELY-WOLF be taken out, is abhorrent. Trying to fan of horror movies and books, and International Wolf is a forum for airing facts, ideas make killing of pups more publicly I’m losing my taste for them. The ones and attitudes about wolf-related issues. Articles and materials printed in International Wolf do acceptable by allowing them to grow like ‘Saw’ are fine, as humans are not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the larger so they no longer look like the only victims. But time and time International Wolf Center or its board of directors. pups is underhanded. I realize some again, I’ve read or seen depicted some International Wolf welcomes submissions of level of wolf control is necessary but kind of animal torture/killing in this personal adventures with wolves and wolf pho to graphs. Prior to submission of other am extremely disappointed the Inter- medium before the victims start being types of manu scripts, address queries to national Wolf Center would publish human. It’s gotten so I worry with each Bruce Erickson, magazine coordinator. and advocate such ideas as are new story that I’m going to come across PHOTOS: Unless otherwise noted, or obvious from the caption or article text, photos are of contained in this article. Very disap- something like this, leading me to captive wolves. pointing.” —K. D. give up horror altogether. This kind of International Wolf is printed entirely with repeated image must have lingering soy ink on FSC certified paper. effects, especially on young adults and We encourage FSC logo here kids.” — T. H. you to recycle this magazine. 2 Spring 2011 www.wolf.org INTERNATIONAL From the Executive Director WOLF CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy jo Tubbs Chair rticles in the winter issue of International Wolf looked at controversy Dr. L. David Mech surrounding delisting wolves from the federal Endangered Species List. Vice Chair That controversy involves the probability that state management plans in Cree Bradley the United States will allow hunting of wolves as a game species. Secretary AThe articles caught readers’ attention and touched off some vigorous responses, Paul B. Anderson both positive and negative! Those who know the International Wolf Center well Treasurer understand the organization does not take positions on wolf issues. Some Center Dr. Larry Anderson members and others wrote in dismay, thinking the Center was taking a pro-hunting Amy Bromberg Funk stand. Others wrote to thank us for opening dialogue on this contro- Nancy Gibson versial topic. Thank you to everyone who responded to these articles. Hélène Grimaud To clarify, we publish information on many sides of wolf issues, Cornelia “Neil” Hutt including hunting of wolves. However, we understand three articles Linda Lemke in the same issue focusing on the topic of wolf hunting gave to some Dr. Rolf O. Peterson readers the appearance the Center supports wolf hunting. While Mike Phillips each of these articles presents information about some aspect of wolf Debbie Reynolds hunting, none of them represents an organizational position on this controversial subject. Jerry Sanders You may have noted Dr. L. David Mech wrote the article, “Consi- Paul Schurke Mary Ortiz derations for Developing Wolf Harvesting Regulations...” in his role as Paul Sletten a federal government wolf biologist. It was reprinted from another publication. While Ted Spaulding he discussed the realities of wolf hunting policy, he did not advocate for hunting. Ray Wells The article gave a picture of the issues wildlife managers will likely face in creating Teri Williams policy to manage wolf populations while satisfying the diverse interests of hunters, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR wolf protectionists and the general public. Mary Ortiz The International Wolf Center’s work is to support the survival of wolf populations using science-based and objective education. We believe well-informed individuals, MISSION including wildlife managers, can make the best decisions regarding the wolf’s survival. The International Wolf In the future, we will frame issues such as this one in more context. We will be Center advances the survival of wolf populations by clearer that articles do not express the opinions of the Center, and we will include teaching about wolves, their varying perspectives. Truly, an involved and educated public working with wildlife relationship to wildlands and the managers can make a difference in the survival of wolves. human role in their future. This dialogue is an essential one. I encourage you to keep reading, listening, writing Educational services and and talking about wolf issues. You will find more opportunities for discussion on this informational resources are available at: topic in future magazines. Please continue to send your comments and concerns to 1396 Highway 169 me via email at [email protected], or mail them to me at the International Wolf Center, Ely, MN 55731-8129, USA 3410 Winnetka Ave. No., Minneapolis, MN 55427, or call me at 763-560-7374 800-ELY-WOLF ext. 222. We value your contribution. n 218-365-4695 email address: [email protected] Web site: http://www.wolf.org International Wolf Spring 2011 3 arvey H luff artin C M Dean EthiopiAn wolf Arctic wolf allon F Jacquelyn Deb Wells MExicAn wolf GrAy wolf 4 Spring 2011 www.wolf.org ical characteristics. Thus some classifi- cation scientists (taxonomists) were “splitters” and others “lumpers.” Splitters tended to separate groups more finely, whereas lumpers tended to lump smaller groups into larger clus- ters. However, there was no objective basis for determining which approach might be correct or more informative. Scientists who classified wolves in North America were splitters. Old World scientists had pretty well recog- nized that there were 8 geograph- ically distinct races, or subspecies of wolves in Europe and Asia.