Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern MinnesotaMech, L. David
Science
Ecological Studies of the Timber Wolf in Northeastern Minnesota
Mech, L. David
Deer -- Minnesota; Gray wolf -- Behavior -- Minnesota; Gray wolf -- Ecology -- Minnesota
To make observations of wolves, we flew over frozen waterways until
tracks were found, and then followed the tracks until we lost them or
saw the wolves (fig. 4). Several times we located wolves directly just
by scanning the lakes. However, because there seemed to be a number of
packs in the area, and because most wolves were the same color (with
the exception of a few black or white individuals) (see Mech and
Frenzel, page 60), it usually was not possible to follow packs from one
day to the next and be certain of identification. Moreover, it was
impossible to locate any pack at will because most wolves also spent
much time inland.
[Illustration: _Figure 4.--An important technique used in the study
involved aerial tracking and observing of wolf packs. (Photo courtesy
of L. D. Frenzel.)_]
Therefore, to facilitate our observations and to obtain data on wolf
movements and extent of range, we began a radiotracking program in
1968-69. A professional trapper, Robert Himes, was employed to capture
the wolves. Using Newhouse No. 4 and 14 steel traps at scent-post sets,
he caught two wolves, and captured another with a live-snare similar to
that used by Nellis (1968); the senior author trapped two additional
wolves (fig. 5).
[Illustration: _Figure 5.--A wolf caught in a trap. (Photo courtesy of
D. L. Breneman.)_]
The four wolves held in steel traps were restrained by a choker (fig.
6), and then anesthetized by intramuscular injections (fig. 7A, B) of a
combination of 30 mg. of phencyclidine hydrochloride (Sernylan,
Parke-Davis Co.) and 25 mg. promazine hydrochloride (Sparine, Wyeth
Laboratories) as prescribed by Seal and Erickson (1969); these drugs
proved most satisfactory.
[Illustration: _Figure 6.--A choker was used to restrain wolves caught
in traps. (Photo courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)_]
[Illustration: _Figure 7.--A. A small hypodermic syringe is loaded with
drugs. B. The loaded syringe is used on the end of a pole. (Photos
courtesy of D. L. Breneman.)_]
The fifth wolf (a female), which was captured around the chest by the
live-snare, was handled without drugs. A forked stick was used to hold
down her head (Kolenosky and Johnston 1967), and she offered no
resistance (fig. 8). Evidently she went into shock or some other
psychophysiological state of unconsciousness, for after her release she
remained on her side and did not move for 1.5 hours, despite our
prodding during the first few minutes (fig. 9). Then suddenly she
leaped up and ran off.
[Illustration: _Figure 8.--Once pinned by the forked stick, the wolf
ceased struggling. (Photo courtesy of Richard Bend.)_]
[Illustration: _Figure 9.--After release, the wolf lay still for 1-1/2
hours before jumping up and running off. (Photo courtesy of L. D.
Mech.)_]
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