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
The separation of No. 10 from the others upon release does not
necessarily mean that she was not a member of the pack. No. 10's radio
collar was replaced just before she was released. The handling without
sedation could have frightened her enough that she ran some distance
before the others were even released. The fact that No. 10 returned to
within a half mile (0.8 km) of the release pen on March 20 and to within
less than 100 feet (30.5 m) on April 18 may indicate she was seeking the
other wolves. However, she may also just have used the release pen as a
reference point in a generally unfamiliar area, or may have been
attracted by the remains of carcasses left there.
Effect of Captivity and Human Contact
The necessary capture, captivity, translocation and contact of the
experimental wolves with humans had an unknown effect on the wolves.
They had been exposed to humans for over 2 months while in captivity. No
attempts were made to tame them, and they never passed the escape stage
of socialization as described by Woolpy and Ginsburg (1967). The
dominant wolves (No. 11 and No. 12) were more relaxed when approached
than were No. 10 and No. 13, however.
The failure of female No. 11 to bear young probably can be attributed to
her captivity and handling. The fact that two couplings were observed
over a 5-day period indicates normal estrus in the female, and a normal
response in the male. Conception would have been expected from such a
mating. In wild wolves, it is known that there is only a small loss
between number of ova shed, number of embryos implanting, and number of
fetuses being carried (Rausch 1967). Thus it seems unlikely that, if No.
11 conceived, she lost her fetuses _in utero_. Rather, she probably did
not conceive, or perhaps the embryos never implanted. This wolf lost
about 11% of her capture weight during captivity, despite an adequate
food supply. This fact, plus the results of her blood tests indicate a
high degree of stress, which probably explains why she never produced
pups.
The possible interference of the drugs used can be ruled out, for they
were chosen because of their known lack of effect on pregnancy (Seal et
al. 1970).
The radio collars placed on the wolves had no noticeable effect on the
animals. Radioed wolves are regularly accepted back into their packs in
Minnesota, where they also reproduce and function normally (Mech and
Frenzel 1971; Mech 1973, 1974).
Movements
Environmental Influences
Lake Superior was a barrier to the northward and eastward movements of
the wolves. Apparently it also directed wolves No. 11, 12, and 13
southward around Keweenaw Bay, and possibly it prevented their eastward
movement on April 2 when they approached Keweenaw Bay from the western
side. The Bay is approximately 6-miles (9.6 km) wide there, and was
frozen until late April.
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