Katelyn CiaccioCarrie Kozel
Carol Thompson
The Basics
Common Name: Gray Wolf Scientific Name: Canis lupus Height: 26-32 in at shoulder Length: 4.5-6.5 ft Weight: 55-130 lbs Paw size: 3.5” wide, 4.5” long
Wolf to Coyote Comparison
Carnivore Diet
Ungulates: large hoofed animals Elk, deer, moose, caribou
Small prey Rabbits, beaver, rodents
Scavengers Already dead animals, some garbage
Can go a week without eating Can consume 20lbs of meat in one meal
Hunting Wolf pack hunts together Young wait in den
Practice hunting mice
Surround and attack
Leaders of The Pack
Alpha male and alpha female Leaders of the pack Mate for life
○ Only pair that mates
Choose den sites Establish territory Keep members in line
The Wolf Pack Typically 4 to 9
members Duties
Takes care of young Help hunt
Subordinate to alpha pair Can challenge alpha
Reproduction
Alpha pair January to February mating season Born around April Litter size: 4-7 pups Born blind and defenseless
The pack takes care of pup Mature around 10 months
Average lifespan is 7-8 years in wild
Means of Communication Body language
Show submissiveness Challenge Play
Verbal communication Barking Growling Howling
Howling Clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWbKlbcEQrI&feature=player_detailpage
Their Domain Range today reduced to
Canada United States: Alaska, Idaho, Michigan,
Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming
Thrive in diverse variety of habitats Temperate forests, mountains, tundra, taiga,
and grasslands Very adaptable species
100 square mile territory
Michigan History Widespread before European settlement
All 83 counties After settlement
Eradication Bounty for wolf head repeal
1900’s no wolves left in MI
State Protection given in 1965 Federally listed as endangered under the
ESA in 1973
Map of Historic Range
Map of Range in 1973
Map of Range in 2006
Reasons to Care Ecosystem Roles
Keystone predator Regulate other populations
Cultural Significance Symbolism the spirit of the wilderness “Big Bad Wolf”
Economic Importance Negative- kill livestock occasionally Positive- Fur used for pelts and Wolf
ecotourism
Endangered Species Act
December 28, 1973 Purpose
Protects species identified as endangered or threatened with extinction.
Attempts to protect the habitat on which these animals depend.
How do Species get Protection?
Listed as either “threatened” or endangered
Must meet 1 of 5 criteria
5 Criteria for Listing There is present or threatened destruction of its
habitat or range. An over utilization for commercial, recreational,
scientific, or education purposes. The species is declining due to disease or
predation. There is an inadequacy of existing regulatory
mechanisms.
There are other natural or manmade factors effect its continued existence.
Listing Process
Can be listed by Secretary or petition from individual group
Decision based on best scientific and commercial data available Not allowed to consider economics
Must also make sure public is willing to participate
Listing Process
Restoring the population 1974: Four animals
translocated from Minnesota Attempt to begin re-establishing
population Failed
Animals emigrated naturally to the UP from Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Ontario.
○ Presence of a single pair verified in 1989
○ Produced a liter in 1991
Public Opinion
“By this time, the majority of Michigan residents were ready for the gray wolf to return to their state. Survey results indicated that 64 percent of Upper Peninsula respondents and 57 percent of Lower Peninsula respondents supported wolf recovery.”
MDNR
Restoring the Population Estimate population with
radio collars Michigan Wolf Recovery
and Management Plan defined a viable population as 200 animals for 5 consecutive years
We’ve exceeded 200 animals for 10 years
Population Boom
Delisting the Gray Wolf Delisted in 2007 Lawsuit filed and put
back on endangered list.
Issue is currently being debated.
Current Public Opinion of Wolves
Changed over the years Come a long way from complete eradication Still a controversial opinion about wolves
DNR Wolf Management Plan Manage population
Stability Disease
Facilitate positive wolf-human interactions, manage perceived threats
Manage wolf depredation of domestic animals
Develop a responsible policy on public harvest of wolves
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Draft_Wolf_Management_Plan_030708_227742_7.pdf
Direct Benefits of Wolves
Ecosystem Cultural and religious Academic study Personal appreciation Tourism
Direct Costs of Wolves Anxiety Loss of livestock USDA: only affected
1% farms in range (2004)
Potential loss of game species
Hunting Wolves
• Not enough meat• Predator, symbol of natural history• Wolf populations either remained stable
or increased when hunting was tried in Alaska and Canada
• Season vs. control
Wolf Hunting Season Public conflict Certain number of
tags licensed Population analyzed
sustainable Revenue Value derived just
from killing
Reducing Wolf-Related Conflicts
Small scale management Few, individual wolves Human safety concerns:
59% Depredation of wildlife: 54% Game species: 49% Using professionals to
reduce conflicts was not supported Preferred licensed hunters
and trappers
Examples from other states Yellowstone National Park
Population made a remarkable recovery Keeps ecosystem in balance Causing conflict with ranchers
Idaho 10(j) rule allows management options to protect
deer, elk, and livestock--if caught in the act Montana Tried a hunting season 5-8% killed each year, 15% sustainable Had trouble with poaching
Wolves in the Media
Editorials “anti-wolf zealots”
Science Publications -- Cosmos Lean toward conservation
Hunting Publications -- Outdoorsman’s Pursuit Magazine• Wolf hunting sagas, photos
Works Cited Dewey, Tanya. "ADW: Canis Lupus: Information." Animal Diversity Web. Web. 10 Apr.
2011. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_lupus.html>.
"DNR - Gray Wolf (Canis Lupus)." SOM - State of Michigan. Web. 09 Apr. 2011. <http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12145_12205-32569--,00.html>.
"Fast Facts: The Gray Wolf . NOW | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/233/gray-wolf-facts.html>.
"Gray Wolf - National Wildlife Federation." Home - National Wildlife Federation. Web. 10 Apr. 2011. <http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Gray-Wolf.aspx>.
"Gray Wolf Facts - Defenders of Wildlife - Defenders of Wildlife." Defenders of Wildlife -Protection of Endangered Species, Imperiled Species, Habitats. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. <http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/wolf,_gray.php>.
"News." The Lakeland Times - Minocqua, WI. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. <http://www.lakelandtimes.com/main.asp?SectionID=9>.
Wildlife Trust. "Gray Wolf." Home - EcoHealth Alliance - Formerly Known as Wildlife Trust. Web. 12 Apr. 2011. <http://www.thewildones.org/Animals/grayWolf.html>.
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