An Experimental Translocation of the Eastern Timber WolfWeise, Thomas F.
Science
An Experimental Translocation of the Eastern Timber Wolf
Weise, Thomas F.
Gray wolf -- Reintroduction -- Michigan
When radio signals were received from the same location for unusually
long periods, ground checks were made to determine the cause.
Attempts were made to verify all sightings and track records reported by
local citizens, by comparing them with the aerially-determined
locations.
RESULTS
Social Structure of the Translocated Wolves
Wolves No. 11, 12, and 13 were captured in Minnesota within a mile (1.6
km) of each other, and No. 11 and 12 were taken in the same trap set 12
days apart; Wolf No. 10 was caught approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km)
southeast of the others (Table 2). All were judged to be thin but in
good condition.
Females No. 10 and 11 were introduced into the same pen on January 23.
No. 11 was reluctant to enter the pen containing No. 10 while several
observers were around, but entered within 15 minutes after all but one
had left. No. 11 went directly to No. 10 which was lying in a corner as
she usually did, and pawed the fence at No. 10's back. When the pawing
became more vigorous, No. 10 snapped at No. 11, moving only her head and
neck. No. 11 then turned directly to No. 10, sniffed the top of her head
and mane, and lay down beside No. 10 with her nose still in No. 10's
mane. No. 10 remained still throughout the whole process. The trapper
reported that later No. 11 licked the face of No. 10. Sniffing and
licking anteriorally are usually signs of intimacy between wolves
(Schenkel 1947).
The two male wolves (No. 12 and No. 13) were allowed into the pen with
the two females on February 4. No. 13 remained in the original adjoining
pen and did not move in with the females immediately, but No. 12 did.
There were no signs of aggression among any of the four wolves. No. 11,
12, and 13 moved freely around the pen while in Minnesota, but No. 10
most often lay in one corner by herself.
Trapper Himes first observed vaginal bleeding in female 11 on February
7. He observed Wolves 11 and 12 mating (with normal coupling) on
February 12 and 16.
No unusual aggressive or agonistic social interactions of consequence
were observed among the wolves while penned in Michigan, from March 5 to
12. Animals 11, 12 and 13 would lie down and feed together in various
combinations. No. 10 was less active than the others and often stayed
inside a shelter box within the enclosure, but would come out and mix
with the other wolves for brief periods when humans were not in
evidence. Her actions were indicative of a low ranking, immature,
distressed, or alien animal.
Male No. 12 was the only wolf that would stare directly at a person
approaching the pen. He was bolder and more direct in his actions than
any of the other animals. This is the wolf that mated with adult female
No. 11 while penned in Minnesota, and thus can be considered the "alpha
male," or pack leader.
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