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
There was a general reduction in distances moved by the pack in May and
June after the wolves had settled in Iron County (Fig. 19), compared
with their earlier exploratory movements (Fig. 24). The movements during
the Settled Phase were similar to those reported from the studies in
Ontario and Minnesota.
[Illustration: _Fig. 24.--Straight-line distances between consecutive
locations for (A) Wolves No. 11, 12, and 13, (B) Wolf No. 10. (Gaps
between data points represent periods when no data were obtained.
Because these periods varied, and because distance traveled is partly a
function of duration between locations, it is only valid to grossly
compare distances from one period to the next.)_]
Home Range Size
At least in some areas, wolves are territorial (Mech 1972, 1973), and
the sizes of their home ranges are restricted somewhat by boundaries
established by the scent marks of surrounding packs (Peters and Mech
1975). The introduced wolves probably encountered no native packs with
established territories (Hendrickson et al. 1975), so they would not be
similarly restricted. The total area that wolves No. 11, 12, and 13
explored, 2,918 square miles (7,586 km^2), is larger than any reported
from the Great Lakes area and is comparable to home ranges of "tundra
wolves" (Mech 1970). Even the area in which they settled (May 7 to July
6) until the deaths of the males was 246 square miles (637 km^2), which
is larger than most reported ranges in the Great Lakes Region.
The deaths of the two males seemed to cause an increase in both daily
distance traveled and home range in Wolf No. 11. Essentially she began
traveling as extensively as do lone wolves in Minnesota (Mech and
Frenzel 1971).
The home range of Wolf No. 10 from March through mid-November, 346
square miles (895.7 km^2), was smaller than those of lone wolves in
Minnesota (Mech and Frenzel 1971). Apparently she was still expanding
her range when killed, however.
Selection of a Territory
The eventual settling of the pack of translocated wolves into a
territory would be expected because such behavior is characteristic of
wolves in other areas. The translocated pack did settle into a territory
of 246 square miles (637 km^2) after about 2 months (Fig. 18). Although
the region where they settled was not as remote as the release area, it
was more inaccessible than most of the rest of the 1,631 square mile
(4,224 km^2) area they explored after dispersing. As with the rest of
Upper Michigan, the pack's adopted territory was inhabited by a moderate
population of deer and beavers. It seems significant that this area is
one of three where a few native Michigan wolves are known to still exist
(Hendrickson et al. 1975).
Vulnerability and Mortality
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account