(pg 24)

FALL 2015 Featuring:

Gray Area (pg 8) • 12 Dens of Knowledge – Bears (pg 20)

The Education Issue (pg 24) • Up in the Air with Raptors (pg 34)

Red Wolf Program End? (pg 38) • Ask the Biologist (pg 47) • And much more...

24

3 Letter from the President4 RadioWild5 WAGTalks 5 Pixingo6 Transforming the Future of Advocacy8 Gray Area: The Making of the the Movie 16 HItting Reset: 45 Days at Wolf Camp 20 12 Dens of Knowledge – Bears24 The Education Issue 34 Up in the Air with Raptors 38 Should the Red Wolf Program End?43 INTERN EXPERIENCE47 Ask the Biologist 50 Wolf Behavior 10155 Adoptions56 Where to Learn

FALL 2015Table of Contents

16

Board of DirectorsSharon Lander, TreasurerDanielle Hawthorne, SecretaryJamie Burch, Board MemberDennis Olson, Board Member

WERC StaffChris Anderson, Staff & Board PresidentJeremy Heft, Sanctuary Manager/BiologistJessica Collins, Asst Biologist/ Volunteer Coord.Lori Prichard, Gift Services /ReservationsAlan Lacy, Mexican Gray Wolf Education Dave Winfield, Graphic Design & LayoutDawn Cadwell, SLQ Editing Team Steven Urke, SLQ Editing Team

The Sawtooth Legacy is a publication of the Wolf Education & Research Center (WERC). The purpose of the magazine is to provide

interesting and engaging information to children and adults about the gray wolf species that promotes a broader understanding of

wolves, wolf recovery, their place in healthy ecosystems, and the state and federal policies that impact their survival.  

47

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Dear Pack Members, Over the past few months, we’ve been asking hard questions at the Wolf Center. Some of you have been kind and generous enough to join conversations in which I asked you to share insights about our leadership, our current circumstances in Idaho, and our emerging future. Many of you chose to give additional donations with heartwarming notes of support in lieu of phoning into our call-in on October 6. We have heavy hearts at Wolf Camp. Not only do we experience firsthand the literal losses of wolves when they reach the ends of their life-spans, we then face the burdensome cost of their after-care, including transportation, federally required necropsies to account for unseen factors, and then the grievous reality of entombing them in memorial. The losses of Himtuuqin, Piyip, Leqeyleqey, and Miyooxat cost thousands of dollars that fall outside of a wolf care plan; it’s part of an overall budget that few would endow. But our heavy heart is not only for the losses of wolves who we saved from certain hardship and hellish lives, if not immediate euthanization. We gave them the best and most natural lives that captive wolves could have enjoyed. With your help, we gave them sanctuary. Our hearts are heavy because, with the losses of the Sawtooth Pack to mortality and with only two remaining wolves in the Owyhee Pack, we are mindfully aware of our real purpose: Beyond the care of these animals, our purpose is to give sanctuary to their wild cousins. How? By transforming the public through inspiring and engaging educational outreach---an increasingly difficult task in Idaho and in a society in which few people really think critically about the importance of these issues.

My goal is that this quarterly serve you and

our community by informing, inspiring, and

engaging.

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Do you care about endangered species?

Are you interested in ideas about the recovery and conservation of keystone species that are critical to healthy ecosystems? What about learning what other entrepreneurs are doing to make an impact in their businesses?

Find the RadioWild icon on our website at wolfcenter.org, or tune into blogtalkradio. com/radiowild at 7 p.m. on the first Monday of each month.

If you’re a business or individual who’d like to sponsor our messages, contact info@ wolfcenter.org for more information. Hear your name on RadioWild!

Just one more way WERC is striving to inspire the public toward greater outcomes.

We are certainly about wolves. Because we care deeply about their survival, however, we are without question about education. The two are inseparable and we need you to be also. In this issue, you’re going to learn many things about wolves, other predators and the Northwest. With your help, we will grow our influence to teach more people. And what we need most from you–even more than your donations–is introductions to like-minded people who’ve perhaps never considered these issues before. These introductions form fertile grounds for progress in the face of the lines drawn by opposing forces. Then, and perhaps then alone, we will begin to break new ground on behalf of canid and human species alike. After all, it’s an issue of education.

Happy and informed reading. Kind Regards,Chris Anderson

Connect with us at Facebook.com/WolfCenter, Facebook.com/SawtoothLegacy,

Facebook.com/OwyheePack,or personally at LinkedIn.com/in/ccanderson.

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SL President’s Letter

Join Us for WAGTalks every month.

How can a penguin save a wolf? It’s easy if its name is Pixingo!

Order your personalized custom greeting cards, postcards, or any number of other business communications through Pixingo.

You save significant money on printing and postage, and 5-10% of everything you spend goes directly to

the Wolf Center to help support our wolves and education outreach programs.

Go to www.pixingo.com/wolfcenter/personal and start creating, saving money and

supporting our wolves today!

Wild Artist Guild is an outreach of the Wolf Education & Research Center.

Venue: Madrona Hill CaféAddress: 5937 N. Greeley Ave. Portland, OregonTime: 7:30pm - 9pmDoors open at 7pm

Films, Art, Food & TalkFilms, Art, Food & Talk

Suggested $5 Donation or animal toy for Dove Lewis Animal Hospital

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Public Outreach Efforts SL

Nobody believes in this quote more than small organizations like the Wolf Education and Research Center. Without the help and support of our many volunteers we would not be able to continue our mission of providing the highest quality captive animal care and education program possible and inspiring greater public tolerance toward apex predators. People volunteer for different organizations and causes, not to be heroes, but because they are volunteering for something they deeply believe in. Volunteering is not only a great way to support your favorite organizations, but it also allows individuals to “give back.” It also helps people learn new skills, or to hone current skills. Each person is different and believes in different things. This is largely why there are so many organizations and causes to participate in. Volunteering helps an organization and helps the volunteer better understand the places they advocate for. These volunteers can then spread the organization’s message to their own friends and family. This helps grow advocacy; getting more and more people involved creates a kind of pyramid effect. People are more likely to talk about things they believe in passionately to friends, family, and neighbors. Enthusiastic, personal word-of-mouth advocacy encourages new people to help, with

“Volunteers are not paid- not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless” Unknown

one volunteer at a time

Transforming the

future of advocacyby Jessica CollinsAsst Biologist/Volunteer Coordinator

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little to no cost outlay by the organization. In the United States, more than 63.4 million Americans volunteer to help their communities each year. This equates to 8.1 billion hours of service with an estimated dollar value of $169 billion. For small organizations such as ours, even a few volunteer hours a week create an immeasurable benefit for the animals we care for. Some companies and larger corporations give incentives--and sometimes even pay for--their employees to volunteer at different organizations and non-profits. The best advocates are the people who volunteer for an organization. Volunteering demonstrates the impact people can have when they gather together. It creates an opportunity for social inclusion by bringing people from all walks of life together for a common goal or purpose. People make friends, as well as other important social contacts, that they might never have made otherwise. Ultimately, to change the future and to truly effect change we need policy restructuring. By bringing people together who believe in similar things we can help bring about those needed policy changes. But to get there, we need everyday people volunteering and recruiting others--whether friends, family, or neighbors--to support a common cause that they truly believe in.

“Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one’s ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them.” Harriet Naylor

one volunteer at a time

To volunteer, please visit our web page www.wolfcenter.org/volunteer for more information.

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Future of Advocacy SL

Let’s rewind to the fall of 2011. I was recently married. In fact, I had only been married about a month and I was talking to my wife about how I used to volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation center in North Scottsdale, AZ. It had been a few years since I volunteered, but I had been captivated by the Mexican wolves that were kept in several enclosures there, part of the Species Survival Plan. At that time, there were 15 “lobos” in their care. I was telling

my wife how these wolves were critically endangered, and I felt compelled to do something. I thought it would be cool to make a film about them, so I wrote out an idea for a film (I later learned this was called a “treatment”). Then, I forgot about it for several months. In the early part of 2012, I was watching a new show on PBS Nature called “Bears of the Last Frontier” with host Chris Morgan. It fascinated me. I reached out to Morgan,

For the past four years, I have been diligently working on a film about the Mexican wolf. This project has involved many long days, late hours, early mornings, and a lot of research. When I first began, I knew absolutely nothing about the world of documentary filmmaking. All I knew was that I wanted to do something to bring to light the challenges the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program faces on a day-in and day-out basis. Throughout this entire process, I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, and more importantly, I have learned how people can come together to make a difference for wildlife and wild places.

by Alan Lacy, Filmmaker

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and to my surprise he responded. After a few exchanges he told me to call and we talked about ways I could get involved with wildlife. Since I didn’t have a degree in biology or ecology, he suggested many ideas and then said, “Have you thought about doing a film?” Instantly I knew this must be my calling. I decided to make a short 3-5 minute film on the Mexican wolf. My idea was to film a few wolves at the place I had volunteered, visit the area where they were released in the wild, put a little narration to it and call it good. Boy, did plans change! I wanted to know if my film treatment idea was a good one, so I emailed Joe Pontecorvo, an expert cameraman who filmed Chris Morgan’s show. He responded as well and, liking my idea, put me in touch with cameraman Dean Cannon. Dean and I then spent countless hours perfecting my idea to bring it to a level that would make the biggest impact. Everything was so new and foreign to my way of thinking, but I kept at it and tried my best to learn and understand the process of making a film. I realized that by bringing on Dean, I would need to create a budget, but I was confident it could be done. By now it was early summer of 2012, and it happened that Dean was making a quick trip out to Arizona and had an extra couple of days that we could meet. We decided to make the most of it and begin filming. We drove to eastern Arizona where the Mexican wolves were and shot a few time-lapse sequences and a whole lot of footage of me walking around the meadows trying my best to be a “host” for the film. We later determined this

probably wasn’t my strongest point and decided to let the film’s characters do the talking. But now I had started something new and extremely exciting. I was making a film! Looking back, I was pretty clueless in regards to how much work it would actually entail! After that trip, Dean and I put together a short promotional piece to run on Kickstarter. I decided, instead of making a 3-5 minute film, I wanted to make it longer. I was confident that using Kickstarter, the project would be well-received and I could

raise the $35,000 we needed to make a 15-minute film. I created the campaign, emailed a few organizations to help spread the word and launched it. Hopes and spirits were high! I just knew people would want to support Mexican wolves. Alas, the campaign failed. I barely raised $4,000 and, because it was on Kickstarter, I lost it all because I didn’t reach my goal. I was really bummed out by it. I didn’t understand why the project didn’t get supported.

I know nothing could stop me from making this film.

The wolves need a voice.

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Gray Area SL

However, soon after this campaign failed, an opportunity came up to film a remarkable story. For the first time in nearly eight years, federal officials with the US Fish and Wildlife Service were going to release a few wolves into the wild! Now, I was in a bit of bind with no way to afford the filming and no exact date for the release. I decided to try raising funds through the film’s website, but it was going slowly. Once we knew the date, the schedule grew hectic. Luckily, I had started the process of working with the US Fish and Wildlife

Service months earlier, and our proposal to film with them was finally accepted. Dean was filming elsewhere and was unable to make it on such short notice. I had an extremely small budget to work with, so I hired a recent graduate of Arizona State University’s film school and together we flew out to St. Louis. It was a whirlwind trip. Once we arrived, we made our way to the hotel and enjoyed some delicious cookies that one of the volunteers of the Endangered Wolf Center made for us. Early the next day we

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were up and on our way to begin the first part of the film. We spent the morning capturing two male wolves, assessing their health, and then transporting them to a local airport. There, a female wolf joined us for the four-hour flight to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once at our destination, we loaded the wolves into trucks and drove another two hours to a pre-release facility in the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. The following morning we caught our flight back to Phoenix. Several months went by and it was now 2013. I had promised my wife that after two years of marriage I would move her back home to the Northwest. We were

deep in the throes of packing for the move to Portland when I got the call. They were ready to release the wolves into the wild. Fundraising still wasn’t going very well. I had managed to raise just over $4,000 after the last film trip and wasn’t sure it would cover the costs of another trip. As this was short notice again, Dean was unable to make this trip either, so I hired another cameraman who had worked for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. To save on cost, we drove in the cameraman’s RV from Phoenix to Sevilleta to film the recapturing of the wolves that we had flown from St Louis. On our way there, his RV broke down in Socorro; we had to get it fixed quickly to reach Sevilleta by the time the US Fish and Wildlife folks got there. I was a little nervous to say the least, but we made it. We captured the wolves (one male and a pregnant female), put them in their crates and readied them to transport south into the Gila Wilderness. We drove long into the night, reaching the location around midnight. Early the next morning we were up with the sun and loading the wolves into smaller “panniers” to be transported by mule into the wilderness. It was an intriguing sight to

Upper Left: Filming a prime aerial view of

Mexican Wolf Habitat in Eastern Arizona. Bottom

Left: Dean Cannon , Cinematographer, enjoys a

moment of levity during a break from filming.

Upper Right: A curious wolf from the Endangered

Wolf Center in St. Louis Missouri sneaks a peak

at the film crew. Bottom Right: Filming ranch

operations in wolf country with a new friend, this

little feller came to say hello.

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Gray Area SL

see mules carrying wolves on their backs into the woods. Because we were taking the wolves to a designated wilderness area, we weren’t allowed to film there. Later I learned that the release had gone smoothly, however the male wolf instantly left his female companion and wandered nearly 100 miles from the release site. He was re-captured to keep him safe from busy highways. I later learned that the female had been shot on private land after biting a small calf. It was unknown how her pups had died, whether before or after she was shot. It was hard news to hear. The wolf deaths only motivated me to work harder to get this film made. I launched another fundraising campaign, only this time on Indiegogo, because I could keep whatever I raised, even if I didn’t reach my goal. I made a new promo for the film and launched the campaign later in the summer. This time I did a lot more networking to spread word about the film. I still needed to raise $35,000 to make the film I wanted to make, with Dean filming the most important parts. Again, I was confident it would work! I implemented techniques I learned while working with an expert team on a crowdfunding campaign which raised over $90,000 on Kickstarter. Confidence was high. It failed again. I was perplexed. But, this time, I was able to keep the nearly $6,000 the campaign raised. I continued trying to raise the funds needed to go on location in the Mexican Wolf Recovery Area and film our story. I managed to raise a little more through the film’s website. In January of 2014, I crunched the numbers and realized it was possible to finally film the first major shoot in Arizona and New Mexico! I was extremely relieved. Dean and I worked to get all the details covered and, to save cost, we drove

to Arizona from Portland, Oregon in March. We spent 10 days filming on location. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We met so many interesting people—lifelong advocates and citizen activists for the wolves, a retired program manager of the Mexican wolf recovery program, Defenders of Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish Department staff, biologists, ranchers, locals, and awesome hosts at the places we stayed. The wolves, however, proved extremely challenging to locate and film. Our cost-saving measures paid off, though, and we had some funds left over. This proved extremely helpful when, a month later, a unique opportunity presented itself. We scrambled our things together and flew down to Alpine, Arizona on our shoestring budget. It was May 2014 and we had a chance to film Mexican wolf pups in their den during the annual pup counts. We had five days to make it happen. Our first morning we woke up at 4:00 a.m. and drove with the biologists to the den area. After checking telemetry devices we

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discovered the wolves were still at the den and, therefore, we couldn’t walk in. We went to a different pack’s territory and had the same results. During the day, Dean and I filmed what we call B-roll to add beautiful scenic shots to the film. That night we tried again to get a count on the pups, but both packs were still at their dens. The following morning had the same results, as did that evening. Day 3 we had an awesome experience with the wolves at the second site. When we got there, the alpha female began howling just a few yards down the hill from us. We couldn’t see her, but she was definitely near. Then two other wolves began howling, yipping, and barking on the other side of us, up the slope. We were in the middle of them! Shortly afterwards, the biologist noticed the wolves had left the den site, so

Upper Left: The beauty of America did not go

unnoticed on my search for my story. Bottom

Left: USFWS helicopter is used to transport

captured wolves. Upper Right: Boots on the

ground are also required. Bottom Right: Health

and wellness check is performed before release.

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Dean and the biologist went to look for the pups. Unfortunately they couldn’t locate the den and had to return before the pack did. Day 4 arrived with the same results: no luck. It came down to our final night there. We arrived near the site and right away the biologist noticed the wolves were moved off the den. She was only getting a weak signal from one sub-adult wolf and so they quickly worked their way towards the den. I had to remain back to minimize our impact on the area. I was so antsy, excited and nervous. What would they come back with? Would they have pups? Was it all for naught? I was anxiously waiting when the truck came back and Dean gave me the thumbs up! We filmed Mexican wolf pups in their natural den! Trust me. The footage is absolutely incredible! I can’t wait to show it to you! After that film shoot, I was even more motivated. A recent partnership with the Wolf Education and Research Center boosted my confidence to a new level and I began working on a new campaign to raise

the needed funds to go back and finish the stories we started. I cut a new trailer for the film and then we launched crowdfunding attempt number three. This time, I only needed $25,000 as we had already filmed once in the recovery area. I launched the campaign and crossed my fingers. Would we finally raise enough? Success! We finally reached our goal! Thanks to the additional resources of the Wolf Education and Research Center and our own, we could finally begin planning our final film shoot. One of the most important events for the Mexican wolf program is the annual population survey. Dean was filming in Alaska at the time of the survey, but I felt confident I had learned just enough to film a little on my own. In October 2014, my wife and I flew to Arizona and drove to New Mexico, pulling my parents’ travel trailer behind us, our production quarters! We filmed the start of the process which involves counting the population and getting an accurate count on the ground of the wolves in each pack. We captured two uncollared wolves and radio-collared them

The point of my movie, the eventual repopulation of this important predator, was happening right in

front of my eyes. My hope is our efforts to responsibly make this a reality do not go for naught.

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during this trip. One of them was a pup of the year (2014). It was incredible to see recovery in the making. In February 2015, Dean and I made our final preparations to film the aerial population survey. We flew to Albuquerque, rented a car, and drove to Reserve, New Mexico where we stayed for five days. We returned to the ranch where we had filmed in 2013 and shot some incredible footage of the harsh weather that can come up so quickly in that area. The dirt roads were nearly impassible with muddy conditions created by melting snow, but we managed to get through the soup. Weather pushed the aerial surveys back a day, so we had to push back our airline tickets as well. We ended up filming a remarkable story, focused on one specific wolf’s journey from captivity to the wild, its offspring, and an incredible new technique called cross-fostering. We captured one of the cross-fostered pups of the female we helped transport in 2012, radio-collared it, and then released it back into the population. We were there to document the success of the cross-fostering and the first time in the program’s history that the Mexican

wolf population finally pushed past 100 wild wolves: Two huge milestones for the program. Currently, we are editing the film itself. I’ve hired an excellent editor by the name of Patrick Lehr. He has produced shows for National Geographic Channel and brings a lot of experience to the team. I am excited to see how far this project has come along since its first days. I’m even more excited to see where this film will go. Much goes into making a film that I never even thought about. I’m still learning a tremendous amount about the process as I write this. The most important thing I learned is that you can never give up. If you want to reach a goal, you can’t stop until you reach it. I’ve had my ups and downs, navigating myself through uncharted territory; in the end, it’s all worth it. I never would have imagined five years ago that I would be on the verge of completing a film on wolves—a film that has a chance at a national broadcast. But, when I think about the Mexican wolf and its potential for full recovery, I know nothing could stop me from making this film. The wolves need a voice.

When you support WERC, you’re supporting our efforts to teach the public, change perceptions, and settle some common misconceptions about wolves. You can quite literally save wild wolves by supporting our educational outreach!

Educational Outreach:

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Gray Area SL

A magpie has been angrily squawking inside the wolf enclosure since I sat down. The bird’s attention is most likely directed toward Xayxayx. She has been active all day, caching her food and guarding her prizes from the usual barrage of meat-eating birds. I came down to the meadow beside the wolf enclosure to get inspired to write this article. I honestly don’t know where to begin. In the 45 days since I arrived at wolf camp, every day has been inspiring, new and noteworthy. The wolves, new friends, the daily “human” visitors, the semi-tame wildlife, living in a tent, Winchester culture shock, late night card games, laughs… They just noticed, the three deer. We lock eyes for a brief moment, and then the doe goes back to grazing and the twins follow suit. Anywhere else, these deer would run, but not here in these woods. Wolf Camp is incredibly peaceful. I remember in my interview, Jeremy (the

senior biologist) telling me that living in wolf camp is like pressing a reset button. He was right. I used to think of this analogy when I first arrived and habitually pulled out my cell phone during lulls and attempted to use Facebook without any service. This habit has since stopped. Maybe I’m somewhat selfish for saying this, but now that I am here and established, I want to stay disconnected from back home. Besides the occasional Winchester gossip, there is no drama spoken here. Each person has their own unique sense of humor, backgrounds, and spunk. Their wolf obsession is contagious, and their kindness provides me with comfort. A workday isn’t stressful here. In the first month of my visit I read three books about wolves, watched numerous movies about wolves, listened to talks about wolves, and analyzed real-life wolf behavior

A deer and her two fawns started grazing in front of me. I’m upwind from the three of them, so they haven’t noticed me yet. When they detect my presence I doubt they will run, the mother knows I’m not a threat.

45 days at Wolf Camp“reset”Hitting

by Kyle Owens

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during daily walks around the enclosure. All day long I would learn anything and everything wolf-related. The questions I had were always answered with precision and enthusiasm by my peers. Key word: enthusiasm. What other workplace is filled with people excited about their jobs? Working in the visitor center has taught me a lot about what people know and do not know-about wolves. There is a very limited understanding of the significance wolf reintroduction has in terms of how a trophic predator is beneficial towards ecosystem stability and biodiversity. Two common misconceptions about wolves I meet repeatedly are that wolves are decimating ungulate (elk and deer) populations and terrorizing livestock to an alarming degree. When native Idahoans are shown a map of documented wolf packs in their state, they are surprised and somewhat concerned to find wolves in areas they frequent. In general, the public knows very little about the wolves in their backyard.

Riding the perimeter of the property is always

less lonely with a good friend.

The lack of public knowledge is interesting because the wolf drives strong emotions in both the people who despise the animal’s existence and also in the people who cherish the species. From what I have gathered, there is very little middle ground between the spectrum of anti-wolf and pro-wolf people. Most anti-wolfers hold on to misconceptions and most pro-wolfers support wolves but are unsure of their significance and/or have no basis for disproving misconceptions. It is clear that the Wolf Center has a very special purpose. I am fortunate to be able to be here to educate the public about a misunderstood species. I wouldn’t be here in this meadow, typing this while listening to ravens, if it wasn’t for that one day in ecology class that we went over the environmental

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My friend just on the other side of the fence. She

teaches me more than she knows.

impacts of wolves in Yellowstone’s Lamar valley. The gist of the talk was that wolves have changed elk behavior since their introduction into Yellowstone’s ecosystem in 1995. Instead of spending a considerable amount of time grazing near river bottoms and consuming young aspen trees, the elk spend an increased amount of time in coniferous forested areas where they are not easily preyed upon. Aspen are therefore able to mature and create riparian areas next to the Lamar river. This difference creates more than just songbird habitat. Mature aspen cool down the stream, which increases the oxygen levels, which increases the amount of aquatic insects, which increases the amount of trout. Mature aspen and trout provide a suitable habitat

for beavers, beavers create dams, dams create more wetlands, more wetlands create more areas where aspen can grow. I took the beaver and trout angle, but you can imagine the dramatic impact wolf reintroduction has on a complete food web. Biodiversity will change dramatically in the Lamar valley, but the same can be said wherever a wolf pack might roam and elk might graze (Idaho included). Elk and deer will typically inhabit areas where they are less vulnerable. They simply don’t frequent the fields they once grazed in if wolves put pressure on them. It therefore makes sense that a hunter might think elk are being consumed by wolves at an unprecedented rate if the elk they

used to observe in fields are now gone. In Idaho, wolves have a predatory success rate of roughly one out of every 15 elk and one out of every 10 deer. For the wolf, each predatory encounter is extremely daunting in terms of risk and energy lost. It is important to note that there are more elk now in the state of Idaho (107,000) than there were before wolf reintroduction. Yes, wolves kill elk, but to say that they are decimating Idaho elk populations is ignorant. Wolves also kill livestock in Idaho. But to what extent? In 2004 there were 270 sheep that were confirmed wolf kills, out of the total 12,100 sheep killed by predators (for example: coyotes killed 7,100 sheep and dogs killed 1,400). In 2005, 20 cattle were confirmed killed by wolves out of 2,500 cattle killed by predators (coyotes killed 600 calves). Predators have always preyed on livestock in Idaho and it’s hardly fair to

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say that wolves are an intolerable nuisance. It should also be noted that any confirmed livestock wolf-kill will be compensated by the state. The state should count its blessings that the wolf isn’t the livestock killer it’s perceived to be. Wolves have been estab-lished in the state of Idaho for years, so it is interesting to find that an absurd number of people still believe the phrase, “any good wolf is a dead wolf”. Perhaps this ignorance toward wolves is caused by fear. The truth of the matter is that there has never been a documented account of a healthy wild wolf killing a human being. More people should understand that predators are necessary for increased biodiversity and ecosystem stability and are not a threat. As the wolf continues to move west, I am sure more misconceptions will spring up in its path. I hope after I leave Wolf Camp I can continue working with predators and also with the public, so I can slow this fear-based gossip the best that I can. Now that it is night, my computer

screen is attracting insects, which is attracting bats. Is it ironic to say that I’m not a fan of bats because I think that they are going to bite me? I know that they’re perfectly capable of biting me, but they will never do it. I’m going to leave this meadow and play cards with my new friends in the cook shed now. If you are anti-wolf, thank you for reading.

Dear sister Moon, shining so brightly, you make

the eventuality of my return to urban society all

the more difficult .

Did you get your wolf fix today? We’ve added cams to the Owyhee Pack enclosure where you can log onto our website each day to see what Xayxayx and Kuckuc are up to.

Simply logon to wolfcenter.org and click on the Live Cam halfway down the page!

Wolf Camp Cams

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12 Dens of Knowledge about Bears

Bears constantly consume loads of berries, acorns, and other seed foods. Upon digesting that food and

keeping all the nutritious stuff for their bodies, their seed and natural fertilizer-filled scat is spread around the landscape. This makes a great foundation for the future of those plant species!

Understanding bears and other top predators is essential to understanding how we can defend their important roles in healthy ecosystems. That’s why we’re excited to present our readers with 12 Dens of Knowledge about Bears! It is our hope that this publication will find its way into the hands of readers from living rooms to classrooms! You can learn more about raptors, canids, and bears at Kidwings.com and in future issues of SLQ.

Bears are remarkable animals

and share many predator characteristics

with wolves. But did you know that bears and

farmers have something in common?

They both spread seeds and plant things!

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DENNING

Our previous Den of Knowledge covered the hibernation habits of various bear species. This issue looks at what makes an ideal denning place for the species and how that helps with their reproduction. A bear’s habitat depends largely on the type of bear and its location, as bears are found in both wooded and open environments. However, most bears prefer densely sheltered areas for sleeping during the day. World Wildlife Federation teaches that brown bears are found

all around the world. In Europe, they tend to live in wooded areas in the mountains and, in Siberia they prefer forests. “You can run into a bear den just about anywhere,” said state wildlife biologist Ryan Scott, who has worked with Juneau bears for years. Black bear dens, in particular, can be in all habitats and locations, although the ideal den is on a north facing slope, protected from weather and in an area with well-drained soil. Keeping dry is critical, and bears will abandon a soggy den. Dens provide winter

shelter for hibernating bears and are not year-round homes, contrary to the cartoonish image of a cave – the entrance littered with bones – that’s often portrayed. Roots, rock crevices, hollow trees and even buildings provide shelter for hibernating bears. Sometimes the den is not much larger than the bear, and sometimes the opening is quite small. “They’re all different,” Scott said. “There’s a bear den about 800 feet up behind Juneau in a hollowed-out standing cottonwood tree. We think the bear climbed up the tree and then back down

Left: Consuming berries is a

staple for bears throughout the

world.

Above: Woodland creatures fear

not when bears hibernate.

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12 Dens of Knowledge–Bears SL

inside it. There’s a little opening at the bottom she might be able squeeze out through in the spring.” In North America, where brown bears are often called grizzly bears, their habitats are more akin to their polar cousins. They prefer the open

tundra, alpine meadows and coastlines of western Canada, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and, to a lesser extent, Washington state. American black bears are far more given to covered areas and are typically found in forests and woodlands; however,

they will adapt according to food availability. Denning is essential as winter approaches. As a result, the mother brown bear will seek out an ideal place. According to BearLife.org, the female bear will enter the den while pregnant and

Mother bear provides nutrient-rich milk for her cubs, encouraging rapid growth of her offspring.

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SL 12 Dens of Knowledge–Bears

begin hibernation. While hibernating she will give birth to brown bear cubs between winter and early spring. In some warmer habitats hibernation may not occur. Baby brown bears are typically born in pairs. They are born blind and without

hair. Newborn cubs find their mother’s nipples and nurse with her until spring arrives. Mom and cubs will then venture outside to explore their habitat and find food to eat. They will also learn survival skills. Baby brown bears eat and grow rapidly. They

will copy their mother’s methods for locating and hunting for food. They spend the next two and a half years living with her. At that time the cubs are ready to live on their own so the mother can breed and reproduce again. In our Winter Issue of 12 Dens of Knowledge about Bears, we’ll continue our exploration of this exciting species with information about their food and how cubs learn to fend for themselves in the sometimes dangerous world of predators.

Sources: World Wildlife Federation, Defenders of Wildlife, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, BearLife.org.

Whether in a hole in the snow

or a man-made tree, bears will

take advantage of any dry den

without fear; they are after all,

a top predator.

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12 Dens of Knowledge–Bears SL

Knowledge is power. We hear it shouted frequently in various languages from the metaphorical rooftops of societies around the world. And to a point, it’s true. Knowledge does empower one to, at the very least, know more. But would you believe that during a recent debate on the question, “Is knowledge power?” only 61% of those surveyed could make a case supporting their position that knowledge leads to power. And there are profound explanations as to why 39% of respondents would define knowledge’s relationship to power differently. For the purpose of this article, let’s define power as building a foundation of opportunity and discussion and of identifying and solving complex issues related to the survival of the gray wolf.

by Chris Anderson

24SL - FALL 2015

The Wolf Education & Research Center (WERC) was founded for a very specific purpose: To care for our captive wolves. It began with the Sawtooth Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce and continues with the remaining members of the Owyhee Pack. And it may continue with new wolves, under carefully considered circumstances. But at our core, we are about caring for wolves. That care expands beyond our 300 acres, however, to include our ability to educate the public. Much of our classroom

is on-site. But our educational reach has expanded in recent years to include online formats that allow us to reach out globally with information about canids and the challenges to their survival.

WERC imparts knowledge. As we do so, however, we are challenged to examine not only our own actions but also those of our colleagues in the struggle to elevate wolves to “eye level.” We want to help the public make informed and educated decisions about the wolf’s future. Herein lies the dilemma we face.

Knowledge has not led to power. In the minds of most biologists, the struggle to save North American wolves pre-dates the release activities of the 1990s. The biology community

has been able to stop the decline of wolves since the 1970s and, for the most

part, reintroduction and restoration of historic range (apart from cities) has largely been a success. According to leading experts Mech and Boitani, the recovery of European wolf populations began after the 1950s, when traditional pastoral and rural economies declined and thus removed the need to heavily persecute wolves. By the 1980s, small and isolated wolf populations expanded in the wake of decreased human density in rural areas and the recovery of wild prey populations. Europe certainly has a 20-year head-start on recovery efforts in North America. We can follow these same lines of discussion in regards to other land masses that have historic ranges for wolves. Asia, Russia and the Middle East all share literary records describing wolves as part of the

25SL - FALL 2015

The Education Issue SL

landscape and the purges to remove the animal in the face of human expansion and development. We could dedicate thousands of words to the various societal responses to wolves over thousands of years. What’s remarkable, in the light of all we’ve learned, all that we see with clarity from history, is that human responses remain steadfastly opposed to wolves. Humans can build more effective and smarter means of communication, transportation, and even homes and gadgets that respond to our every inquiry. We can, quite literally, speak any question today and like magic, a response either appears on a screen or in our ears. Humans are capable of remarkable and resourceful ingenuity and inventiveness. Why is it that we cannot create a narrative that transcends culture and popular trends for the benefit of environmental stewardship? If knowledge is power—-and we see evidence of “smart” at every turn—-why is this wolf question a thousand-year debate?

It’s an education issue. The theme of this Sawtooth Legacy Quarterly is aptly titled. We have an education issue in our North American culture. There are many manifestations of that issue. We’re going to focus on the facets related to wolves and attempt to identify some obstacles that have blocked our progress, as seen from the trenches of wolf education.

Culture. Whether one is a fifth-generation Idahoan or a metropolitan social pioneer, it’s fair to say we each have a culture in which we are immersed. And that culture is steeped in religious belief and disbelief,

political and apolitical leanings, and a disco ball of moral definitions shining in all directions. In many ways, it’s the best representation of a free society that we have so many various beliefs, until they clash with each other. And that’s the case today. Wolves are suffering because of clashes in our cultures. It’s common to hear individuals from rural areas speak to their heritage. And in many ways, it can be a quite beautiful, near-mythical depiction of people living off the land with gardens, barn-raisings, livestock and their daily relationship with it. Salt of the earth. They will often share stories of family and loved ones, often including the animals in their care, always with an eye to the future for their descendants. It’s also common to hear from individuals who attach their rooftop carriers to Subarus and flee the city to breathe in the wonder of nature. As if channeling the sepia-toned characters of John Muir, Aldo Leopold, and other icons of conservation, they leave the harsh concrete world for some worship among cathedrals in the wilderness. And along the way, many will rededicate themselves to ideas that will preserve the majesty for the next generation. It’s a wonderful experience to know both. Until the discussion turns to wolves. Then the chasm between these two groups reaches civil war proportions.

Identification. “My father shot wolves. His father shot wolves. And his father before him shot wolves. The only good wolf is a dead wolf.” All commonplace statements when one engages with communities that have opposed wolves for generations. Do they have a good point? They certainly have a deep conviction and, in many instances,

26SL - FALL 2015

SL The Education Issue

worthy arguments. Even rural residents without livestock have lost deeply loved animals to predators such as mountain lions, bears, and of course, wolves. Many describe the same amazement at the attributes of a wolf, for example, but simply see its removal in the same light that urban residents would see adding a lock to their door as a measure of safety. Their attitude and responses are pragmatic. And living rurally requires that measure of practicality as an identity. Other individuals identify differently when considering the wolf. It’s common to speak with those who consider the wolf as their totem. And, to these individuals’ credit, their lives are balanced and grounded in these identities; they are compelled to go to great lengths when it comes to describing, informing, and commenting in order to educate their public. Those who identify in this manner are often witnessed attending conferences, gatherings, and

vigils for the life they hope to preserve. Still other individuals identify with the wolf as merely an animal. It’s not magical or mystical. It’s a piece of this complex ecological puzzle and without it, the full image will never be “put away” as complete or accomplished. Each of us identifies differently, drawing on the science of the matter to the degree it upholds our beliefs. It’s fascinating to experience the association to wilderness that individuals have— up to the point where it intersects with a fast moving and colliding ideology. That’s when we have to come back to what we know. The reality is, most citizens have not given this issue a second thought outside of their communities, as described above. They haven’t given themselves the chance to navigate an intersection of ideologies. That’s a problem and an opportunity.

Historical destruction of wolf populations has brought us to our current precarious state.

27SL - FALL 2015

The Education Issue SL

Policy. Perhaps the most frustrating consideration of all comes when we look at the history and future of wolves in regards to policy. In 2016, WERC will celebrate our 20th year as a wolf biology and public education organization. During those 20 years, we’ve observed changes in leadership, policy, and authority at the state and federal level that leave the public completely confused about what can be defined as progress-which, to be clear, we define as protection of the species and a closer return to historical balance. During our time in Idaho, WERC has educated hundreds of thousands of individuals at our Winchester sanctuary. WERC has accepted invitations to visit schools, parks, and other group events where people have truly left changed. Only a percentage have actually seen our wolves. Most in our educational outreach don’t, in fact, get to visit the facility. In our conversations with our classrooms, however, the subject of wolf policy always arises. The most common question is “Is delisting the wolf as endangered good or bad?” And to be frank, it depends. It depends on the ability to change policy every time new leadership redefines success and failure. But even at our highest governmental levels, the comprehension of this complex ecological debate is not understood. An education cannot be condensed into bullet points for policy makers.

What’s the solution? Because we are dealing with complex issues that resonate with different people in different ways, we know there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Theses issues are founded in diverse perspectives related

to land use, government’s intrusion in our lives, centuries-old relationships between government and industry, corporate ambitions, and conversely, the notion that the government will be the solution to these issues by regulating or creating policy that more fairly represents the stakeholders. Additionally, there is a strong emotional attachment tethered to the fact that we are most often talking about public land in regards to the wolf issue. So, without a doubt, there are serious considerations on all sides that require a different venue and leadership that can respectfully consider the present and future needs of participants.

Participants. That one word forms the one element needed to make progress. WERC believes that we can tackle this issue, but with time and a methodical approach. As this article comes to its summation, there are a few practical steps that can be taken and they require participation. Without people, steps are but words on a page, something we have an abundance of in the scope of managing not just wildlife but a country’s resources.

1) Introduce narratives that build community rather than divide it. Narratives are stories. The inherent risk of society using and embracing narratives is that they become fairly anecdotal in their execution. Anecdotes, by their very purpose, lack a science or logic base in place of real-life experience and those feelings of right and wrong, for example. We clearly see this in the debate about wolves. On one side of the trail are those whose ancestry relies on stories that include the elimination of a pest. On the other side of the trail are those who think

28SL - FALL 2015

SL The Education Issue

that wolves should have no limits on their reproduction and range. WERC proposes we work toward the trail. It’s a centrist position, but one whereby we adhere to quality science—-the narrative becomes fact-based instead of emotional. Since science is typically less debatable, science is where education should be rooted and central to the development of our efforts.

2) Identify and uphold better solutions for stakeholders regardless of our shared culture. There’s an expression volleyed about called “market transformation.” True market transformation is a willing move from one set of ideas to a new one. It relies on identifying the interests, both exclusive and shared, and working toward the ones that best uphold the outcome. While its not likely we can divert all “anti-wolf” sentiment, if we create better solutions with our own resources, we can achieve better community with those who oppose the larger answers. Because the topic of wolves creates heated discussion, sometimes the solutions are set aside in order to stay with one’s “way of doing things.” There are many lessons to learn from our successes in wolf conservation and bridges to be built with the livestock industry. Our colleagues in the Western Wolf Coalition and Pacific Wolves have identified many solutions, including hanging ribbon on fences (called fladry), howl boxes, range riders, alpacas, Pyrenees guard dogs, and many other ideas. In our Great Predator Debate interview with Oregon trapper Stan Thomas, he states his belief that if we put these measures in place the wolves will acclimate to them. “Ever lived near a train track? The first few nights you lose sleep over it. But then you get used

to it. Wolves will get used to these efforts.”

Stan’s right. That’s why we need to continually research and implement efforts that allow us to approach the livestock industry with workable solutions that they don’t need to invest in. We have learned that lasting change happens when the public willingly embraces change without an imposition of will over others. Buy-in delivers better outcomes. That’s when market transformation is uniquely successful.

3) Build solid foundations for educators that are absent of social policy and strong on science. At the core of this debate is quality educational material that inspires future voters and advocates based on science and fact. In recent years, the Western Wolf Coalition, of which WERC

Trapper Stan Thomas can be seen discussing

his views of Wolf population control in the

upcoming documentary, “The Great Predator

Debate: A Nation’s Dilemma”.

29SL - FALL 2015

The Education Issue SL

is a member, introduced an ad campaign that depicted the wolf as “Just a wolf.” They made a significant effort to stop the identification of wolves as mystical and mythical creatures and put the focus squarely on the science of good ecology. This is the place where we advocates need to find ourselves. When we integrate social policy, for example, it’s divisive. Not everyone has the same ideas. It’s a right or wrong scenario that leaves legislation and litigation as the only solution. When the science of good ecology about wolves and all predators is taught, there is progress. It may not be immediate, but it happens as many believe evolution happens. Imagine glaciers. In my 20-year career as an educational curriculum developer for a company that serves teachers and classrooms, I’m often in the field throughout the Western United States. Early on in this endeavor I had an experience that shaped my approach to

the notion of “being right.” I had traveled to Banks, Oregon where there was a farm that had two enormous dairy barns and two silos near each. I knew that these structures presented the ideal location to find a barn owl and, if I was lucky, a multitude of them. I approached the property owner and he was kind enough to walk out to one of the silos where he described the following: “That barn owl has been living in that silo for 25 years! Same one!” To this point, I had a dilemma. I knew that the life span of a barn owl is maybe 4-5 years and they have a very high mortality rate even then. My dilemma was whether I corrected him and faced offending him with “my knowledge” or letting him think what he did and choose the glacial route of planting seeds of truth into his life over many years. So, I gave him a guide about barn owls. About two years later and after a

Re-populating natural levels of predators in the wild gives nature a chance to rebalance.

32SL - FALL 2015

SL The Education Issue

UPDATE: THE GREAT PREDATOR DEBATE

The Great Wolf Divide is about divisions that exist

that resulted in the near destruction of a species, the

forces that brought wolves back from the edge of

extinction, and the polarizing positions among

stakeholders. Regional experts from the United

States’ Pacific Northwest discuss the history of

wolves, some of the mythology that led to centuries

of destructive outcomes, and efforts being made to

sustainably recover the species across a continent.

Hear an Oregon beef producer share insights and

challenges of ranching among predators. Listen to a

description of the essential but controversial role

that wolves play and the cascading impact of their

absence. Learn from the Idaho based Wolf

Education & Research Center as they carry out an

important role in education about this iconic yet

divisive species.

Set to the history of eleven wolves who brought the

subject to the world’s doorsteps in the mid-90’s, this

story is about what future we will choose regarding

wolves and other top predators. This is a presen-

tation of eleven wolves known as The Sawtooth

Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce and how their legacy

is threatened by the same forces that work to cloud

the truth about their important ecological role. It is

a story of the future, one of stewardship of all of

North America’s and ultimately the world’s natural

resources.

Th

e Great P

redator D

ebate –

Its a Nation

’s Dilem

ma

Produced by Sawtooth Legacy Films and Compel Media, Inc.

© 2015 by Sawtooth Legacy Films. All rights reserved

44 min. Price: $19.99 U.S.

wolfcenter.org facebook/wolfcenter

FPO

Our crew is putting the final touches on the film we’ve been working on all year to deliver one of the most comprehensive and diverse assembly of perspectives on the subject of predator management and conservation. This important film deserves viewing in classrooms and living rooms around the world as we carve out new solutions to ancient problems. WERC is the group to tackle these complex issues and with your support, we’ll do it!

PREORDER YOUR COPY TODAY! Visit our website and order online or use the enclosed envelope. When you pre-order for $25 today, we’ll automatically send you the third DVD, The Great Predator Debate: A Nation’s Resolve when it releases at year’s end.

dozen visits, I returned to the property and to my absolute joy, as we walked out to the barns, he stated, “You know, I think that must be the 5th or 6th generation of barn owls living in that silo.” He needed no correcting. He simply needed a patient and methodical approach to changing his understanding. Was that easy for me? Absolutely not. It took wisdom and patience paired with a willingness to continue investing without an obvious reward. That doesn’t always come easily! In summary, WERC endeavors to create momentum with informative, quality and scientific resources that plant those seeds and thus contribute to the solutions of the issue of education. Because that effort requires participation and partnership, WERC asks you to partner with us.

Here’s what you can do today....1. Join our Educational Outreach Advisory Group. Together we’ll come up with ideas that build on our current efforts. Write to Lori.Prichard@wolfcenter.org to notify her of your interest.

2. Share these goals with teachers, friends, and family members who will see the value and join us. We can’t do this alone and need to expand the opportunity to reach more people for change.

3. Support our Education Outreach efforts. A gift to WERC is an investment in that outcome. It’s a simple fact that this cannot be done without financial support. WERC performs remarkable outreach with our modest budget.

33SL - FALL 2015

Traveling through the countrysides we witness valiant warriors of the skies — osprey, hawks, and, if we’re fortunate, eagles. These creatures are the daytime hunters to their nighttime counterpart, the owl. Those of us who’ve been blessed to see these raptors share amazement at their in-air prowess, surpassed only by their skills as hunters. In recent years, we’ve also witnessed some of these birds, such as the red-tail hawk, returning to historic areas where they once hunted without the obstructions of tall buildings. As adaptive wildlife often does, these raptors have reclaimed their original homes on power poles in parking lots,

Up In The Air With Raptors! Up In The Air

With Raptors!

high-rise outcroppings, and of course greenspace trees. Cities around the Western United States report finding owls nesting in abandoned buildings. Why do birds choose these places? Eagles, for example, are not prone to reclaim cityscapes whereas osprey, hawks, and owls often do. While they share the same air space as hunters, they do not

all share the same habits when it comes to finding a place to settle down and raise a clutch!

The Eagle. According to the Eagle Nature Foundation, a northern bald eagle will begin to nest some time between February and April. A southern bald eagle will begin to nest in December and January.

by Chris Anderson

In this issue of Up In The Air With Raptors, we’ll explore the fundamental things these birds look for when making their habitat a home.

Our national symbols’ home is no less grand.

34SL - FALL 2015

Each nesting pair will spend a great amount of time preparing the nest before any egg is laid. The successful nest is generally located in a large tree, within one mile of water, either a lake or river, where adequate food is available. Bald eagle nests are generally found 50 to 120 feet above the ground in a tall, sturdy tree. It takes at least two weeks for a pair of eagles to build their nest. A typical bald eagle nest (eyrie) will range from 6-10 feet in diameter and about six to 10 feet high. The nest cavity, where the eggs are laid, will be about 12 to 16 inches in diameter and about four inches deep. A pair of eagles, once established, may use the same nest several times over a period of years. Each year more materials are added to the nest, which increases the size of the nest. Nests weighing up to two tons have been found.

Osprey. Cornell Lab of Ornithology teaches that osprey are unable to dive more than about three feet below the water’s surface, so they gravitate toward shallow fishing grounds, frequenting deep water only where fish

school near the surface. Ospreys nest in a wide variety of locations, from Alaska to New England, Montana to Mexico, Carolina to California; their habitat includes almost any expanse of shallow, fish-filled water, including rivers, lakes, reservoirs, lagoons, swamps, and marshes. Whatever the location, osprey nesting habitat must include an adequate supply of accessible fish within about 12 miles of the nest; open, usually elevated nest sites free

from predatory mammals such as raccoons; and a long enough ice-free season to allow the young to fledge. Ospreys require nest sites in open surroundings for easy approach, with a wide, sturdy base and safety from ground predators. Nests are usually built on snags, treetops, or crotches between large branches and trunks; on cliffs or human-built platforms. Usually the male finds the site before the female arrives.

The osprey intelligently chooses its nesting site in the best

possible location, ensuring optimum opportunities for survival.

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Up in the Air with Raptors SL

Red-Tailed Hawks. These raptors occupy just about every type of open habitat on the continent. This includes deserts, scrublands, grasslands, roadsides, fields and pastures, parks, broken woodland, and (in Mexico) tropical rainforests. Mammals make up the bulk of most red-tailed hawk meals. Frequent victims include voles, mice, wood rats, rabbits, snowshoe hares, jackrabbits, and ground squirrels. The hawks also eat birds, including pheasants, bobwhite, starlings, and blackbirds; as well as snakes and carrion.

Individual prey items can weigh anywhere from less than an ounce to more than five pounds. Both members build the nest, or simply refurbish one of the nests they’ve used in previous years. Nests are tall piles of dry sticks up to six and a half feet high and three feet across. The inner cup is lined with bark strips, fresh foliage, and dry vegetation. Construction takes four to seven days. Red-tailed hawks typically put their nests in the crowns of tall trees where they have a commanding view of the landscape. They may also

nest on a cliff ledge or on artificial structures such as window ledges and billboard platforms.

Owls. Unlike their raptor counterparts, owls are not likely to be seen often. Nocturnal and often solitary, they are usually shy of humans and avoid them when possible. Specialized wing feathers allow owls to fly silently, enabling them to catch prey more easily and avoid detection. Audubon International describes owls living in a variety of habitats, including coniferous

Urban structures that meet

the criteria of safe, out of

the way nesting sites, are

up for grabs for the crafty

and adaptive red-tail hawk.

36SL - FALL 2015

SL Up in the Air with Raptors

forests, mountains, deserts, and plains. The snowy owl lives in the cold tundra of the north. Owls nest in a variety of ways. Several species, such as great gray and great horned owls, live in old hawk or squirrel nests. Others, including the snowy owl and short-eared owl, nest on the ground. The burrowing owl lives in old mammal burrows. Many owls nest in tree cavities. According to Kidwings.com an owl’s diet consists of rabbits, rodents, reptiles, insects, and even other birds. Large owls have been documented to eat skunks, opossums, and large ducks. The benefits of having owls keep a rodent population in check are great and conservation efforts are successful when farmers realize the ecological impact of owls, including the potential for reduced use and cost of pesticides.

For survival, all of these raptors require their nests to have two main attributes: • Safety from predators. Many other animals would love to add an eagle egg to their daily meal. Foxes, raccoons, and other mammals would feast on any bird egg, so raptors situate their nests high above the risk. • Proximity to a food source. While eagles and osprey often live near water hunting grounds, hawks and owls are more commonly found near

open fields where small to large mammals make tasty meals for their young and mates. Next time you’re outside, look around and imagine what might make a good home for a raptor. Report back to us with your findings in an email or online and send us a picture. We’ll share it in our social media! Learn more about raptors and other birds at kidwings.com. There you can view their fun and informative video series, “Kidwings Explores: Barn Owls”. Join Up in the Air With Raptors in our next issue where we discuss the diets of four remarkable species!

Sources: Eagle Nature Foundation, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon International, Kidwings.com

Were you aware that we offer many items on eBay? Find special values on glassware, shirts, hoodies, and more. They all support our efforts to care for and teach about wolves! Shop at the below address: eBay.com/usr/sawtoothpack

Wolf Gear at the eBay Store

Pygmy Owl goes peek-a-boo, I see you, and I call you dinner.

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Up in the Air with Raptors SL

Should the Red Wolf Program End? Should Nature Take its Course?

by Marilyn McGee and Gail McDiarmid

38SL - FALL 2015

This is the question being asked by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding the experimental, non-essential red wolf introduction program in northeastern North Carolina. Is it also being asked by conservationists, environmentalists, naturalists, and other groups? Yes. And it is being asked by Carolina sisters Marilyn McGee and Gail McDiarmid, authors of “Running for Home.” In the summer edition of Sawtooth Quarterly, these two ladies wondered if they would ever pass the Red Wolf Crossing sign again.

Should the Red Wolf Program End? Should Nature Take its Course?

A message of coexistence is advocated as

a sustainable way of maintaining a healthy

ecosystem.

39SL - FALL 2015

Should the Red Wolf Program End? SL

What does the future hold for the Red Wolf Program? Although the population of red wolves has fluctuated during the 28-year program, the number of red wolves running wild in North Carolina is currently estimated at 50 to 75 animals. A number of issues affect the survival of this carnivore. In 2012, mortality from gunshots accounted for eight deaths and in 2013 for nine. In a population so small, this is a huge number. So, why is this happening? Were the shootings a case of mistaken identity? Were the wolves killed out of fear or misinformation? Does hatred rule the heart? Identifying the difference between a coyote and red wolf, especially a young wolf, is very difficult. In North Carolina, coyotes are considered a “nuisance” animal along with beavers, groundhogs, nutria, and skunks. Year-round hunting for these species is allowed, with few to no restrictions. To help reduce the cases of mistaken identity, USFWS and Defenders of Wildlife created a Hunter Education Program and a pocket ID card to help raise awareness about the importance of making a positive ID in the field. But if human attitudes were different about the coyote and predators in general, would the red wolf continue to be “mistakenly” shot? Organizations such as Project Coyote, Coyote Watch Canada, and Atlanta Coyote Project are just some of the educational groups trying to teach the public how to live with the misunderstood canid. Does creating pathways to having more compassion and respect for all living things make a difference? Sadly, shooting is not the red wolf’s only threat. According to the National Wildlife Federation and the Red Wolf Coalition, one of the most serious threats to red wolves is interbreeding with

coyotes. In 1984, the Alligator River Wildlife Refuge was chosen as a release site due to abundant prey, sparse human population and its status as a coyote-free peninsula. However, humans have heavily influenced the landscape and the resilient coyote has made its way to North Carolina. And unlike the wolf, mountain lion, and grizzly bear, coyotes have thrived under persecution. When unable to find mates of their own kind, red wolves, which typically kill or expel coyotes, will mate with their smaller cousin, the coyote. (Canis latrans) Many people do not realize that long before the gray wolf was restored to Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services embarked on a bold conservation experiment to restore red wolves. There was not a blueprint or guide to follow. Brought back from the brink of extinction in 1967, North America’s rarest wild canid was listed on the Endangered

Red Wolf – Canis rufus Coyote – Canis latrans

Typical Description:

• ~5’ nose to tail• 45-80 lbs.• Coloring: Brown,

buff with some black and red fur.

Typical Description:

• ~3’ nose to tail• 30-50 lbs.• Coloring: Brown,

buff with some black and red fur.

• Tall ears and slender legs.

• Large paws.

• Narrow snout and large pointy ears.

• Long tail length of 11-16”.

40SL - FALL 2015

SL Should the Red Wolf Program End?

Species Preservation Act. In 1973, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established a captive-breeding program for the red wolf. Over a period of six years, biologists trapped over 400 wolf-like canids from Louisiana and Texas and tested them for morphological characteristics. Three hundred and eighty three were coy-wolves and only 17 were pure red wolves. Fourteen red wolves successfully bred in captivity. So, are we walking away from these recovery efforts or are we holding out for hope? A comprehensive evaluation of the red wolf recovery program was recently completed by The Wildlife Management Institute. Their 2014 report concluded that if the red wolf was going to recover, at least two additional populations would need to be established, and the Service would need to spend more resources to build local stakeholder support for the red wolf recovery program. While the program is generally supported by the public, a small

but vocal group of anti-wildlife activists has demanded it be scaled back. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, in response to the report, they have officially stopped the release of red wolves into the recovery area. Further, any red wolves currently located on private land will be removed when requested to do so by the landowner. Red wolves removed from private lands will be released onto the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge or Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. Fish and Wildlife will also conduct their own feasibility review of the recovery program. The review will address the following key issues:1) Are available management tech-

niques sufficient to ensure the red wolf’s genetic makeup?

2) Are there areas within the historic range suitable for serving as core red wolf population sites across its historic range?

3) Is there enough public and state

Below: The scenic landscape of Alligator River

National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat for a

wide variety of animals, including other large

predators.

Should the Red Wolf Program End? SL

support in each of these areas for the establishment of three such populations?

4) Can the red wolf exist in the presence of coyotes?

Many of these questions can and will be examined with data, technology, and science. Some, however, can only be answered based upon human interaction, compassion, respect and—ultimately, decisions made from the heart. Marc Bekoff, author of “Rewilding Our Hearts,” states, “Human well-being is closely tied into the well-being of other species and our planet as a whole. Rewilding will have effects at different scales, but we really do hold the future of the planet in our hearts, heads, hands and tools. We are the only species that can really change things

for the better. We are that powerful, and in that sense we are that exceptional.” The feasibility review will be completed in 2015. An answer by USFWS will determine if the sign on Highway 64 must be removed. If the red wolf recovery program is abandoned, what will happen? Based on history, it is obvious red wolves and coyotes will interbreed. The survival rule for all species is to adapt or die. Is this what the predator is doing? Adapting? Does a genetic identity really matter? The outcome will still be an apex predator

If we want a better outcome for the future, we have to go to where the future is. It’s in the classrooms and living rooms across North America and our Classroom Adoption is the ideal way to usher in better and better ideas about conservation. That’s how you can make an immeasurable difference---support a Classroom Adoption today.

Here’s how it works. Your $50 donation sends the great package shown here to the middle school of YOUR choice. We’ll do all the work and your gift will include a note from you expressing your commitment to education about wolves.

Adopt a Classroom

Dear Wolf Valley Middle School, This educational gift is bein g sent to you as an encouragement to help you teach about important issues related to wolves and other predators. As a former student at Wolf Valley Middle School, I’m excited to help create future stewards of our wilderness.

Howling Regards, Kuckuc

42SL - FALL 2015

SL Red Wolf Program

roaming North Carolina’s landscape. The environment in which American naturalist William Bartram observed red wolves in 1791 no longer exists. The final question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we able and willing to learn to live with and respect the newly

evolved predator?” We believe having an apex predator is critical for maintaining diversity in a healthy ecosystem and we believe our only hope for accepting this animal is recognizing our powerful role as stewards of the earth and “guardians” of the animals.

As the sun fades below the horizon, we must

ask, “what will the outcome of our actions

bring when it rises again?”

SL Should the Red Wolf Program End?

Part of the outreach that The Wolf Education and Research Center performs is educating young minds through our Intern Experience program. The participants of this program commit to a 3-month hands-on experience working with our biologists to further their career aspirations in various scientific and education fields. Little do they know, the most important knowledge they learn is discovering who they are themselves. At the end of their time commitment to WERC, we ask our interns to journal their experiences of Wolf Camp so we may share some of what they have learned with others. Each person’s experience is different and their challenges unique, but they have one thing in common: They are always personal and profound. Here are the thoughts of our 2015 Intern Alumni. Enjoy!

Class of 2015 INTERN EXPERIENCE

Katy’s Camp JournalWhen I first applied for this internship, I had a number of questions for Jeremy. I wanted to get a better idea of what the experience would encompass (but especially, to be honest, to show that I was an interested and serious candidate). The questions, in truth, were rather generic: “What does an intern’s typical day look like?” Jeremy’s response was, essentially, that due to the nature of the job, there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ day. It wasn’t until I was asked to synthesize a journal entry to illustrate what a day in our lives is like, that I realized the full truth of that statement. I came here for the wolves, and yet it seems that every day I gain something new and completely different.

As a high school student, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to train as an Emergency Medical Technician, practicing EMS alongside my fellow students. This became a passion of mine. Among the many careers that, at one time or another, I strove for was that of an emergency room physician. However, as I began college and got caught up in a whole new life, I was no longer part of a rescue squad. My knowled ge, skills, and license fell dormant, and I became focused on other passions.

Yet four years later, in the course of following one such passion, I would find myself here at Wolf Camp. As luck would have it, one of the many hats worn by our biologist is that of fire chief and head EMT in Winchester, and our assistant biologist also serves on both the fire and rescue squads. Jeremy and Jessica kindly allowed me to tag along whenever those page tones sounded –they, happy to have some extra helpin g hands and I, happy to get my feet wet again. They proved to be a veritable wealth of knowled ge and reinvi gorated my passion

43SL - FALL 2015

Zack’s Camp JournalAs I arrived back home, to the city blocks of Niagara Falls, eagerly awaitin g me was a host of family and friends, each intent on an afternoon filled with stories from my western expansion. While the stories I keep alive inside are eternally placed, the words for this reflection wouldn’t take shape. For the stories, should they begin, might spill out into the early hours of the morning’s dawn. But alas, for the readers, I am left with only enough space and time to summarize my life’s greatest adventure into a moment, into one page of font. Three months living alongside Wolves; interactin g with XayXayx the “White Watcher”, learning about the complexities of wolf handling, presentin g informative ecological discussions to the

for EMS. I came to realize the importance of using and retaining my skills, and won’t make the mistake of letting them get away from me again.

But that was just one piece of the puzzle that has been the last three months, just one point in the entire sphere of knowled ge it feels like I’ve gained. As someone who dreams of living self-sufficiently, my time at Wolf Camp, void of luxuries like electricity, running water, and solid-walled living structures, has taught me valuable lessons about a simple, low-impact way of life. Working with Jeremy and the WERC crew has given me endless learning opportunities about biology, ecology, public speaking and education, interpretation, biodiversity, trail maintenance, noxious weeds, communal living, parade float building, small town politics… I could go on, but I don’t have unlimited space. On top of it all, I was lucky enough to share the experience with two of the best people I could have hoped to meet, who taught me even more about friendship and love.

I came here to learn about wolves, and learn I did. I learned more than I had ever hoped to know about such an elusive creature, and I learned far more than I ever could have from a book or a lecture or any amount of time spent in school. I have felt a wolf’s tongue, felt her hot breath on my hand. I have watched from near and far, sat with her peacefully as she napped. I have met her powerful, golden gaze as each of us tried to decipher the other. I have accompanied a wolf through his final moments, and felt the pain of his passing in companions human and canine alike. And if knowled ge and experience with wolves was all I had gained, this summer would have been worth every second – every bead of sweat on every sweltering day, every whiff of rotting flesh as we collected food, every scare of wildfires come just a little too close, every hornet sting and every early morning tour. But when you add in the indispensable education in every realm I could hope for, the ma jestic beauty of Idaho, and the lifelong friendships? I think I must have struck the lottery. And that experience, let me tell you, cannot be summarized into one ‘typical’ day.

Katy HaydenWERC Summer Intern 2015

44SL - FALL 2015

SL INTERN EXPERIENCE

public, and repairing the brid ge of a culture in conflict with both sides. What could I say? It’s as if my summer was a warrior’s dream, timeless and elevating, I could dance and breathe with my journey, intimately tied to my own path and the lives that crossed it –be they four legged, or two. But the joy of timelessness, like most euphorias, would eventually give way to an abrupt gravitational cessation, this time circling back to a falling schedule surrounded by the rigidness of alarms and asphalt.

For this moment though, let the winds of our imaginations attempt to return us to the stillness together, to the summer serenity within which my memories’ lives once knew sin gularity, before the reminiscent energies gave shape to the divergent harvest in the echo of evolution. Take me back, I long to go back… back to the seed where this growth first began; to the people from which this development arose, free, as this clear haze leaves me. For while it may be the wild adventures that call our hearts, it is the people with whom we share this experience that rin gs. So as I dig deep, back from the places I’ve brachiated, I find it is relationship that took root and culminated my great collection of experiences. It is this layering of connections in which my potentiality emerged. It was in Jeremy’s wisdom, the insightful tree, that would facilitate the transcendence in which my own ascension could grow tall. It was enveloped in Jessica’s hospitality, entwining us all in the comfort of our nest, a home in which we received nourishment. It was in the encouragement of my fellow fled glings (Katy & Maia) with which I flapped my win gs for the first time, and the promise of my watchful companions (XayXayx, Kuckuc, & MiyooXat) with which I learned to soar. It was Love, as a force, in its many varieties that would beat the drum of our song. It is the collaboration and cooperation of our “pack” that resulted in success, in happiness. Each of us contributing, each of us as individuals recognizing the integrity of the whole. Understanding our commonality and that we are a part of something larger, and have a responsibility to uphold its foundations; a responsibility to give Love, energy, in our own ways towards the communion and towards the cause.

They say it doesn’t take a whole day to recognize sunshine. Well, even on the darkest of nights my friends gave vision, for what is the Sun without a Moon? Radiatin g as one, the light I knew during my time spent at WERC will burn ceaselessly on an internal landscape, not just an eclipse, but an alignment. I will inevitably discover new shadows to illuminate, and create new circuits to travel… just as the night turns to day and the Earth learns the Sun… but forever tethered to the source of my spark will be the sacred space I hold for the place, the people, and the purpose I have Loved. And so, to the staff – my companions – I think this reflection piece is an ode to you. Thank you for sharing yourselves, thank you for experiencing with me, and thank you for the light to shine. As I spiral on, I look forward to moments of parallel expansion. To the readers, I’m sorry I could not fill your page with details of adventure and excitement, but I could not choose just one. Perhaps for those of you who are truly drawn, you may join me as friend or family, and we can chatter on into the dawn over the fire of a summer dream.

Zach CampbellWERC Summer Intern 2015

45SL - FALL 2015

INTERN EXPERIENCE SL

From all of us at WERC, great job this season to all of our 2015 Intern Alumni. Good luck in your pursuits and keep in touch.

Maia’s Camp JournalI was really nervous when I got on the plane to Idaho. I had never been so far west before, and I was going completely on my own to join people I didn’t know. I could only hope I would get along with them, considering the fact that we had to live in such close quarters and with such little access to the outside world.

I can’t believe how lucky I was to get the companions that I had.

I walked into the office, and immediately I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. It reminded me of my own bedroom at home, which was always plastered with pictures of animals—mostly, pictures of wolves. I often hid my bedroom from friends when I was little because I was afraid they would think I was weird ; society doesn’t often take kindly to young girls who wear only jeans and t-shirts and really, really like wolves. It’s a classic story of a little girl strug gling with her identity. But truly, honestly, I think I found myself in wolf camp. I didn’t realize how afraid I had been of myself and of the things that I have always loved.

Even if the people and my surroundings hadn’t been as great a fit as they were, the wolves alone would have taught me to relax. It’s impossible to be face-to-face with a wolf and hope to gain their trust and respect without bein g one hundred percent genuine. There’s a lot of truth to the sentiment that a wolf looking into your eyes is looking into your soul. They know if you’re hiding something, and they will take advantage of that, if given the chance. XayXayx was a perfect example of this—without fail, she would nip me or ignore me if I wasn’t completely mentally with her in the enclosure, but would consistently greet me with licks, even sometimes with friendly whimpers, when I had left all my baggage at the door. Without meaning to, she made me reflect on what was keepin g me from connectin g with her fully, and I am so grateful for that.

Before I got to Wolf Camp, I was afraid that I wouldn’t en joy living in a tent for three months without the luxuries of modern life. I was afraid that I had been lying to myself, forcing myself to follow a stale dream out of innate stubbornness. Instead, I realized that this is what I had been missing all along, through all those years of trying to fit into a person I thought other people would be more comfortable with. In wolf camp, I had to be exactly who I am to succeed. Nothing has come more easily to me than living in those conditions, with those people, and with those wolves. As my life goes on, I’m sure I will experience other wonderful places, but none of them will be as special to me as this one.

Maia ChicherioWERC Summer Intern

GREAT JOB!

WO

LF

ED

UC

ATIO

N AND RESEARCH C

EN

TE

R

46SL - FALL 2015

SL INTERN EXPERIENCE

1. How do wolves react to large wildland fires?

Fire across the West is an annual phenomenon and an important aspect of

forest and rangeland ecology. Many species of trees have evolved to rely upon

fire for germination and dispersal. Routine fires in most western landscapes are

a healthy event, maintaining productive ecosystems, and increasing biodiversity.

Although fire assists both plants and animals over the long run, when a large fire

strikes an area, the immediate effects are often devastating to grasses, shrubs,

and the wildlife of the region. Mammals and birds often evacuate the area

around a significant fire, which sends a parade of wildlife into the neighboring,

unaffected forest. When large fires have been in the region, we have noticed this

migration away from fire in Wolf Camp. Large animals, such as elk, deer, black

bear, and cougar have all been tracked passing through the forest near us as they

move away from the fire. In addition, several bird species that are not common

in our local area have been observed around Camp during an adjacent burn.

Preceding the wildlife parade, dense smoke often passes through the forest, even

turning the sky red on occasion. This summer, we spent almost three weeks in

Hazardous Air Warnings due to the constant, prolific smoke in the region. The

captive wolves blatantly react to this natural warning of danger nearby. The

Sawtooth Pack’s energy greatly increases, and they were often observed pacing

at the fence line, which is a very unusual behavior. Howling also increases and the

pack appears disturbed overall. The Owyhee Pack reacts less severely, however

they do tend to be more alert and watchful. Most likely, the wolves want to

follow the evacuation parade and run away from the smoke. Unfortunately, the

enclosure prevents their exodus, so they continue to be anxious until the smoke

47SL - FALL 2015

dissipates days, or weeks, later. The movement of large predators near their enclosure probably creates some additional strife, too. Since we cannot stop the smoke, nor divert predators away from the enclosures, we assist the Sawtooth Pack by calming them with additional food and human socialization. Since the Owyhee pack is less sensitive, we monitor them for any stress behaviors and will increase their food if warranted. Just as fire is a natural component of the ecosystem, so is the movement of wildlife away from fires. All wolves, including captives, react to the smoke and disturbance in the forest by attempting to flee for their lives, joining the wildlife evacuation parade.

Have you ever noticed the converse relationship between your dog’s

hunger and the temperature outside? For most canines, as the temperature

decreases in fall their appetite increases. Even for those unfortunate dogs who

never roam outside their home, all dogs will adjust their metabolism in the fall

to help prepare for the oncoming cold weather. Additional protein and fat is

required in their diet to build their winter pelage and create their subcutaneous

fat layer. Wolves essentially double the amount of fur on their bodies in the

months leading to winter, and store fat just under the skin to help insulate

against the often harsh sub-zero temperatures of winter. Wolves and dogs

adjust to this metabolic need for additional protein and fat by simply increasing

their hunger. The more they eat, the more prepared they are for cold. We

assist the Owyhee Pack by increasing the weight of their feeds and providing

more high-fat foods. A staple food for this time of year is scraps from a local

butcher shop, which are comprised of heavy amounts of deer and elk fat. You

can help your beloved canine prepare for winter too! Simply increase their food

allowance and maybe mix in some high-protein or high-fat content treats, such

as eggs (raw or hard boiled) or ground beef. (Cooked is safer. And keep portions

limited – or be ready to clean up diarrhea!)

2. Why does my dog seem to be hungrier in the fall season?

48SL - FALL 2015

SL Ask the Biologist

3. In his book Never Cry Wolf, author Farley Mowat claims wolf diets are comprised mostly of rodents. Is this true?

Wolves eat a variety of mammals. Although predation is a primary foraging technique of gray wolves, scavenging is a close secondary technique. They are built to digest both fresh and decomposing meat, with a very strong intestinal fortitude that maximizes the nutrients from all consumed flesh. Wolves are also opportunistic carnivores and will hunt small mammals when a chance encounter arises. However, many peer-reviewed studies conducted around the world have concluded that gray wolves most often prey upon large ungulates, such as elk, deer, caribou, or moose. They may compliment their menu with small rodents like mice and voles, but it is unlikely a pack subsists on these small bites as the main food source. Mr. Mowat brought gray wolf life to the center of wildlife conservation when his book was released in 1963; however we have learned a great deal since then. Both past and current studies of wolf predation confirm live, large ungulates are the main food source. Some biologists have gone so far as to say Mowat’s depiction of wolves was fictionalized. So, even though Never Cry Wolf raised awareness for wolf preservation, it is not necessarily true that wolves survive exclusively on a rodent diet.

If you have any questions pertaining to wolves, etc., please let me know so I can include them in future segments. Please email me with future questions/topics at: jeremy.heft@wolfcenter.org ~Jeremy Heft Biologist/Sanctuary Manager

49SL - FALL 2015

Ask the Biologist SL

lthough autumn does not officially begin until September 23, the weather of Winchester begins to

change almost a month earlier. Since deciduous trees are rare in our conifer-dominant forest, the first noticeable sign of fall is dramatically cooler nighttime temperatures. It is common for summer nights to drop into the 50s, which is still tolerable in short-sleeved shirts (but not shorts, unfortunately). However as fall approaches, the nights cool down quickly to the low 40s, which is not so comfortable on exposed arms. This year, jacket weather began in late August!

Lesson 21: Fall Seasonal Activitiesby Jeremy Heft

Biologist/Sanctuary Manager

A

As these low temperatures set in overnight, the dew point is occasionally reached, which means the summer-parched vegetation finally receives a drink of water. Grass and herbs that did not succumb to the harsh dryness of summer suddenly replenish their green color and vigor, growing strong again until the onset of frost weeks later. It is ironic that the beginning of the fall season is marked by a resurgence of life…only to quickly move toward death as winter looms. Another clear sign of a seasonal shift in Northern Idaho is the fast decrease of daylight hours. Due to our relative high latitude (46.23°N), we enjoy long hours of sun through summer. Morning twilight begins around 4 AM, and the last remaining light leaves at about 9 PM. However, as the sun moves toward the Southern Hemisphere, our ambient light seems to decrease much faster than it increased during spring. Each passing day dramatically reaches darkness earlier than the previous day. All wildlife of the forest recognize these changes to the daily temperature and sun angle, and subconsciously begin their own physiological and behavioral changes to prepare for the upcoming cold season. Birds are one of the first animals to respond to these changes. In Idaho, many bird species are migratory to a certain degree. Canada goose and other waterfowl are the easiest to spot on their Southern journeys, as their tell-tale honking notifies the world of their travels. Much more silently, numerous species of songbirds and raptors cruise to their warmer destinations. Amphibians, reptiles, and insects either bury deep into the Earth, or perish as temperatures lower beyond survival. Built for colder climates, only the mammals do not make a mass exodus from the Northern forests as autumn deepens. Although fall is a time of relative easy living for wolves, they also move through a transition in their bodies and activities. As with all organisms, decreasing sunlight is the

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The Great Wolf Divide is about divisions that exist

that resulted in the near destruction of a species, the

forces that brought wolves back from the edge of

extinction, and the polarizing positions among

stakeholders. Regional experts from the United

States’ Pacific Northwest discuss the history of

wolves, some of the mythology that led to centuries

of destructive outcomes, and efforts being made to

sustainably recover the species across a continent.

Hear an Oregon beef producer share insights and

challenges of ranching among predators. Listen to a

description of the essential but controversial role

that wolves play and the cascading impact of their

absence. Learn from the Idaho based Wolf

Education & Research Center as they carry out an

important role in education about this iconic yet

divisive species.

Set to the history of eleven wolves who brought the

subject to the world’s doorsteps in the mid-90’s, this

story is about what future we will choose regarding

wolves and other top predators. This is a presen-

tation of eleven wolves known as The Sawtooth

Pack: Wolves of the Nez Perce and how their legacy

is threatened by the same forces that work to cloud

the truth about their important ecological role. It is

a story of the future, one of stewardship of all of

North America’s and ultimately the world’s natural

resources.

Th

e Great P

redator D

ebate –

Its a Nation

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Produced by Sawtooth Legacy Films and Compel Media, Inc.

© 2015 by Sawtooth Legacy Films. All rights reserved

44 min. Price: $19.99 U.S.

wolfcenter.org facebook/wolfcenter

FPO

51SL - FALL 2015

Wolf Behavior 101 SL

Kuckuc will have no

trouble keeping warm

when temperatures dip

significantly with her thick

and distinct, gray mottled

pelage.

primary trigger for this seasonal transition in wolves. Known as annual rhythms, the instinctual response to an expected environmental change stirs animals to begin preparations for winter survival. The brain, however, needs a stimulus to begin a response of the pre-programmed transition. Since most weather factors can be variable from year to year—such as an unseasonable warm versus cool season—they cannot be reliable as a trigger. However, the sun’s travel in the sky is constant year after year. Hence, most annual rhythms depend on the change in daily sunlight and sun angle of autumn to begin the process of preparation for winter. Wolves prepare for the impending cold and snow season by establishing increased insulation and energy reserves, which are enabled by an increase in appetite. There are two main ways wolves “winterize” their bodies. First, the fur undercoat rapidly grows dense, filling the voids along the skin, under the longer guard hairs and establishing a thick, double-layer fur coat system. The guard hairs also tend to become shiny and fluffy, a sign that an increase in proteins and lipids are being sent to the hair follicles in order to make the fur as healthy and effective as possible. In Idaho, wolves typically begin the winter coat-building process in late September, and should have it finished by early December. During that same time, wolves are also gaining fat reserves located just under the dermis layer of the integument, or

52SL - FALL 2015

SL Wolf Behavior 101

Top: Cross-section of

structures related to skin.

Bottom: Dense fur keeps

a wolf warm, even when

drenched, as Chemukh

appears to be.

skin. Adipocytes (fat) gather at the lower-most layer of the skin and create a dense envelope over nearly the entire body. Known as a subcutaneous (or under the skin) fat layer, it assists wolves and other mammals (including humans) in regulating adequate body temperature through the often sub-zero cold of winter. Of course, both this fatty insulation and the creation of the undercoat are only possible if additional protein and lipids are available for the seasonally transitioning wolves. Therefore, fall is the hungriest season of the year for wolves. Every September, both the Sawtooth and Owyhee Packs exhibit increased hunger. They begin to exhibit high excitement when food is nearby, pacing at the lock-off (feeding area) fence several days prior to being fed. They also show elevated dominance behaviors when eating together, and there is increased predation of the small mammals and birds that share their enclosures. Although wolves usually live up to their reputation of “wolfing down” their food year-round, during the fall months our captive packs seemingly inhale their food by gulping it down so fast! To assist with their mandatory preparations for winter, we increase the amount of food for each feeding, as well as shorten the span between the feeds. As you probably know, we feed our captive wolves on a feast-and-famine random diet, which allows us to adjust their intake according to many factors. Not only does this style of nourishment help us ease our wolves into the cold season, but it also helps control the inevitable elevation in dominance postures that occur when the pack is very hungry. By December, when their voracious appetites plateau to winter maintenance levels, many wolves may gain as much as 10-15 pounds (adding 10% body weight) of additional fat reserves and fur to get through the upcoming long months of winter. In addition to preparing their bodies for the cold ahead, wolves also begin preparations for the annual breeding season. Although most biologists agree that the actual breeding season for wolves begins in late December, the initial onset of hormones occurs in October or November. Known as the “pseudo-breeding season,” this ramp up to the peak mating season is characterized by a slow,

53SL - FALL 2015

Wolf Behavior 101 SL

steady increase in dominance among both male and female hierarchy. The likely cause for this additional rank reinforcement is to firm up the structure of the hierarchies before the highly competitive breeding season begins, thus decreasing the potential for catastrophic hierarchy upheaval. Essentially, the early induction of hormones in October and subsequent dominance behavior change has evolved to minimize major conflict through the tense mating rituals of winter. This is yet another adaptation to minimize stress on individuals, and thus the pack, during the approaching most difficult weather season of the year. The fall season is a time of transition for gray wolves. As the challenges of winter approach quickly, wolves must adjust to the changing environment in order to survive. Building a thick peripheral layer of fat insulation and adding a dense fur undercoat are the main adaptation of winter preparation. To accomplish these objectives, wolves become more appetite-driven than any other time of the year. Indicative hunger behaviors are common, no matter how much food the pack consumes. Another annual rhythm wolves undergo during the fall season is the beginning of breeding season hormones and subsequent behaviors. As the temperature cools and the days become shorter, the new behaviors wolves exhibit during the fall season are all geared toward surviving the cold winter weather, while at the same time maintaining or increasing their rank status among the pack’s hierarchy.

Dominant hierarchical

displays are meant to

keep order and prevent

potentially dangerous

aggression within a pack.

54SL - FALL 2015

SL Wolf Behavior 101

54

SL - FALL 2015

W O L F C E N T E R A D O P T I O N P R O G R A M

$165,000Caring for four ambassador wolves costs nearly $165,000, including their health and upkeep, food that is not donated, and the maintenance of the Wolf Camp. You can make a significant impact in our programs by adopting one or all of the Wolf Center’s wolves. Preserve the legacy of the Sawtooth Pack by giving an adoption to someone or a local classroom.

n Please mail the Adoption or Gift Adoption Packet to the following person, business, or school:

Member Number ______________________________________________________Name ________________________________________________________________School/Business ________________________________________________________City ________________________________ State _ Zip _______________________Email _______________________________ Phone (____) ______________________

Please mail completed form with check or money order to: WERC, P.O. Box 12604, Portland, OR 97212 or visit: www.wolfcenter.org, click on the “Adopt a Wolf” menu.

Running Homefor

Can you find the

hidden animals in this book,

including the two

on this cover?

by Gail McDiarmid & Marilyn McGee

Illustrated by Durwood Coffey

for

$25Juvenile • Photo pack 5x7 • Wolf plush with name tag • Certificate

Yes!$100Adopt the Pack • Photo pack of Owyhees 5x7 • SLQ • Choice of 1 Owyhee Pack name t-shirt • “Running For Home” Book • Certificate

Yes!

$25Adult • Photo of adopted wolf 5x7 • SLQ • Certificate • 1 free adult admission to WERC

Yes! $50 Yes!

• Poster of history and benefits • DVD • Photo Pack of Owyhee 8x10 • Certificate • Piyip photo for each child while supplies last • Info kit with individual adoption form and fundraiser challenge

Classroom- Juvenile

$250 • Photo pack of Owyhee 5x7 • Tribute Poster 11x14 • SLQ • Running For Home book

Sawtooth Memorial Adoption • DVD • Certificate • Choice of 2 Owyhee name t-shirts • Free admission for a family of 5

Yes! $500 • All 11 wolves photo pack 8x10 • Tribute print 16x20 • Choice of 4 Owyhee name t-shirts • Premium Certificate

Sawtooth Memorial Adoption • SLQ • DVD • Free admission for a family of 5 • “Running for Home” book

Yes!

See website for more giving opportunities! www.wolfcenter.org

Adopt a ClassroomHere’s how it works. Your $50 donation sends the great package shown here to the middle school of YOUR choice. We’ll do all the work and your gift will include a note from you expressing your commitment to education about wolves.

by Lori PritchardGift Services/Reservations

WASHINGTON

Wolf Haven International, Tenino Located in South Puget Sound between Portland and Seattle, Wolf Haven is a nationally recognized wolf sanctuary that has rescued and provided a lifetime home for over 180 displaced, captive-born animals since 1982. The Wolves & Wine annual fall fundraiser is a fun evening that offers both silent and live auctions, beer and wine tastings and plenty of hors d’ oeuvres. Wolf Photography Visits are held during the colder months of fall, when the wolves are wearing their winter coats and are more active. Check out the Wolf Haven website for more upcoming events and educational tours.wolfhaven.org

Where to Learn in the Northwest

There are plenty of options for visiting and viewing wild animals in the Northwest. Almost every city has some sort of zoo or sanctuary available. In fact, if you Google “places to visit wildlife in the NW,” you will get hundreds of results. So, where are the best places? Our picks are few because we at WERC are picky when it comes to our animals. The following places share our belief in providing quality care in a natural environment and they pride themselves on educating the public.

Top: One of the many

majestic wolves that are

cared for at Wolf Haven

International.

56SL - FALL 2015

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Tacoma Northwest Trek not only offers visitors the opportunity to view wildlife predators, but also provides tram rides, zip line tours and research centers, like the Baker Research Cabin where you can meet the resident gray wolf pack. The park also gives guests the chance to take on the role of scientists, with classes and field work to support local conservation initiatives. nwtrek.org

Washington State University, Pullman What better place to learn about bears than at one of the top universities in the country? WSU’s Bear Research, Education & Conservation Center is a one-of-a-kind facility that aims to provide necessary understanding to protect bears around the world. The dedicated students, professors and veterinarians are truly on the cutting edge of bear research and behavior studies. Visitors can view the bears during the non-hibernating period from April to October. Located just one hour from the Wolf Center, you can get your wolf and bear fix in one day!http://cahnrs.wsu.edu/soe/facilities/bears/

IDAHO

Peregrine Fund World Center for Birds of Prey, Boise In 1970, two young boys collected money from their friends and neighbors and sent it to Peregrine Fund founder Tom Cade to help him save the endangered Peregrine Falcon from extinction. That simple act snowballed, and eventually The Peregrine Fund produced and released more than 4,000 falcons to the wild. The Peregrine Falcon was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1999 – one of the most successful conservation projects in history. In 1984, the World Center for Birds of Prey opened on a hilltop overlooking Boise. The 580 acre center has a daily schedule of live bird demonstrations, tours, exhibits and hands-on activities. Not to be missed is Condor Cliffs, where the world’s largest flock of captive, critically endangered California Condors exists. Learn about the captive breeding program and the center’s success in releasing condors back into the wild!http://www.peregrinefund.org/world-center

© Chris Parish

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Yellowstone Bear World, Rexburg Bottle feed and pet baby bears! Need we say more? Bear World is a drive-thru wild animal park featuring elk, bison, moose, grey wolves, and of course black and grizzly bears. Also on the property are a petting zoo and amusement park. The organization is highly respected for their conservation philosophy and a leader in the drive-thru wild animal preserve industry.yellowstonebearworld.com

Snowdon Wildlife Sanctuary, McCall One of the highlights of this year’s Summer Celebration was the pleasure of having Snowdon’s brightest staff come out with a variety of their rehabilitated birds of prey. Our visitors learned the importance of the work they have been doing for over 30 years, providing rehab for the area’s injured and orphaned wild animals. While the public is not allowed into the animal rehab areas, Snowdon’s on-site Visitor and Education Center is located just inside the main entrance and is frequented by appearances from Snowdon’s animal ambassadors.snowdonwildlife.org

OREGON

White Wolf Sanctuary, Tidewater Fifty acres of natural habitat –including ponds, shelters, trees and meadows –is a majestic home to the 10 rescued wolves at the White Wolf Sanctuary. Located on the central coast, White Wolf Sanctuary has been working with wolves for the past 20 years. Not only is it a sanctuary, but it is also an educational facility giving seminars and presentations to schools, churches and other organizations. Tours at the sanctuary are offered every afternoon (by appointment only). Go see Baker and Everett, the newest additions to White Wolf Sanctuary!whitewolfsanctuary.com

Zoological Wildlife Conservation Center, Rainier This conservation center offers visitors an intimate experience with endangered and delicate species. It focuses primarily on education and is not intended for public entertainment. The carnivore encounter gives visitors the opportunity to meet and learn about fox, bobcat, serval, lynx and wolf species. chasing-tail.com

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Great Cats World Park, Cave Junction Great Cats World Park is nestled in the Siskiyou Mountains, which create a beautiful backdrop for one of the largest collections of exotic cats. The park’s feline ambassadors offer highly educational, fully-guided tours in hopes of raising public awareness about rare and endangered cats. greatcatsworldpark.com

MONTANA

Montana Grizzly Encounter, Bozeman Founded in 2004 by Casey Anderson of NatGeoWild fame, the Grizzly Encounter is a WERC favorite. The park is open free of charge to school groups of all ages, so that each year, thousands of children have the opportunity to learn about grizzly bear safety and conservation. In this way, they are helping ensure that there will be wild bears in our forests for generations to come. Visitors will meet Brutus, the inspiration behind Montana Grizzly Encounter, and all of his rescued grizzly friends in a beautiful mountain setting, free of cages.grizzlyencounter.org

Yellowstone Birds of Prey at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone This center is home to Josh, an 8-year-old bald eagle who was shot in his left wing and named after an army veteran who served in Iraq. Now thriving and educating at the Yellowstone Birds of Prey, he is one of many such birds that guests will get to meet. Visit the center 365 days a year and check the website for awesome programs such as the Whose Scat is That?, Raptor Rap, and Bear Pepper Spray demonstrations. grizzlydiscoveryctr.com

We’ve been busy at Wolf Camp and remodeled our store to make it easier to find your favorite items. With the holidays around the corner, it’s the perfect time to visit and support our efforts. Your purchases are an important part of our budget and infuse our operations with needed cash. That helps wolves!

www.wolfcenter.org/store

We Remodeled the Wolf Camp Store

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Our mission is to provide the highest quality captive animal care and education possible and inspire greater public tolerance toward

apex predators. We engage the public to support sustainable relationships with nature to become a social norm.

Our vision is a growing community who work toward a more sustainable relationship with nature. This is achieved through captive

animal care, regional interpretive programs, and ongoing development of contemporary media. We partner with diverse cultures and

traditions to build a united and stronger future for all species.

Get involved today!