What we can do to help with wolf conservation?

[Eric Burnham is a Senior Research Associate at NMSU. His research takes principles from trace explosive detections to detect rare and elusive Mexican Gray Wolves non-invasively. He's currently running a crowdfunding campaign to extend his work from captive wolves to those in the wild. Consider checking out his project page --->]

Mexican gray wolves are arguably the rarest carnivore in North America; the wild population is about 100 animals. The largest source of mortality is illegal hunting (poaching). Yet, wolves in general are also perhaps the most misunderstood animals in human history. Do you know that:

1. There has been no serious attack by a healthy, wild wolf on a human in North America in recorded history.

2. Wolves in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming account for less than 1% of mortality on livestock, far below any other predator.

3. Wolves have been responsible for the restoration of vegetation near stream-side areas in Yellowstone National Park.

Each of these points has been documented in peer-reviewed scientific literature.

In the lower 48 states of the U.S., wolves are still rare,and their numbers are estimated by visual sightings and scat-DNA-PCR, (so called "DNA barcoding" using scats or hair samples). Visual sightings are prohibitly expensive. Scat-DNA-PCR is not particularly accurate, (approximately 84%), since not all scat or hair samples can be used successfully for DNA amplification. As a result, wolf (and other animal) populations are always overestimated. We need a more accurate technique for estimating population sizes. Our technique, using VOC profiles (a scent), may be more accurate, and also provide new information, such as the age of an individual. Knowledge of the age structure of a population is important because we can tell, for example, if the animals are primarily young, inexperienced, and thus more likely to turn to livestock depredation.

Please feel free to make any comments, ask questions, or even just share your story for why wolves inspire you!

 

Photo by Eric Kilby, not for commercial use