Quarterly Wolf Marks!

 Well, a new year is already a quarter deep, and I'm happy to say that I am back into a position to write once more. I would appreciate it dearly if you went to our facebook page at the link in the top right, and clicked the like button :) 

  So, here is some of the brief articles and news I've ran across as of late:

New Litter of Red Wolves!

 On April 22, 2013, 5 Red wolf pups were born to Taladu, at the The Jackson Zoo in Jackson, Mississippi. The litter consisted of 1 female and 4 males! Here is a picture of one of the little pups!

 

Picture courtesy of Jackson Zoo.

Happy 66th Birthday to Defenders of Wildlife!

Defenders of Wildlife celebrated its 66th year saving various animals and defending their rights to exist on planet earth.  Let's continue to support them battle against corruption and wolf rights!

Discover Project Coyote!

Over the holidays I stumbled across this website and organization and have to say I applaud the work they are doing. Project Coyote is an organization that is trying to curb the violence and bad reputation that the cousin of the wolf receives due to its abundance in places humans reside. They have a facebook page as well, that you can head over to Here.

15th Anniversary of Mexican Gray Wolf Reintroduction!

Its been 15 years since the Mexican Lobo has been released into its natural habitat. I believe that we need to do more as a nation to ensure this species never gets back to the brink of extinction again. Read the full article Here. The Federal Government just released new pairs into the wild, so check out it out Here!

Also please help support the Mexican Gray Wolves by signing this Petition!

Stay tuned for a special release article coming tomorrow on the Government's proposal to remove the wolf off the endangered species list!

-Robert Elder III

Howling for the Holidays!

  

    Hello once again! I'm now once again returning to the pages of my blog, and more articles are on the way. I will be continuing the "Heroes of the Wolf" sections, as well as making sure to include some of the most up to date info. Please stay tuned!

      

Enemy of the state- A sad war against the wolf

 

  As a wolf enthusiast, I can no longer understand how some states are allowing the wolf and other predator's hunting seasons get out of hand. Management is key, and I'm not one that says we shouldn't control populations when needed. However, I am fully against trapping, aerial shooting, hunting all year year long(especially during gestation months), and night hunting.

 I know it can be hard to understand any states having a hunting season, and I think its even worst when states decide to go overboard, and basically declare war on the wolf. Now, a lot of people out there don't understand this, but the wolf is actually a strong survivalist and even with all the illegal shootings, the ridiculous state management plans, the wolf population is growing far greater then first expected. Now do I feel like the numbers will ever be like they were in the early 1900s? No,and a large reason for that is the growing human population and destroyed habitat for the species.

 Wolfs are just like any other predator, and really thrive in the absence of humans. In huge dense forest, the creamy white ice plains and tundra, and in the deserts of the southwest, the wolf will fill its surroundings with the sound of its howl, and the presence of a true apex predator. No one can expect these graceful animals to be living in the backyards of the suburbs and the streets of the cities. Coyotes are in that niche and are hunted like vermin. Thats not what I want for the wolf. I don't want centers and zoos filled with it, or to see it while driving down I-95. I want to know its free, and roaming in acres of amazing lands.

 The problem with the states plans for management is, they really start killing way to many, way to early. As well as the inhumane ways they choose to operate, they need to focus on protecting the environment that is home to the wolves, and not build new condos, and then get upset the wolves are eating the neighbors trash, when last year it was a den site in the middle of the forest.

 All animals are hunted, and that is not my place to tell others whether they should do it or not. That being said, for protected animals, the fines and penalties should be raised ten fold. Killing an endangered species should be a minimal of 6 months in jail, and 5,000 dollar fine. Poachers know what they are doing, and we do not have the right to wipe another species out.

 I love wolves, and the rest of the animal world as well. I vote against actions I feel are not humane, or plainly out of line. However, we as conservationist need to pick our battles, and not cry "wolf" at the hint of anything but 100% our way of thinking. If wolves are attacking livestock, and that states wolf population is blooming, then if the F&W division find the wolves doing it are threatening the area(Obviously within reason), they have to remove them. Just as you would do for a bear, or mountain lion etc. We can not just expect otherwise.

 Make sure you do your best for the wolf and you can help by voting. Here are the links!

 Help the Iberian Wolf- http://www.indiegogo.com/IberianWolf

 Stop the reckless Wyoming "management" Plan- http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/317/794/508/?fb_action_ids=3419290375661&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map={%223419290375661%22%3A321162237991717}&action_type_map={%223419290375661%22%3A%22og.recommends%22}&action_ref_map

For more, check out my facebook page! Link is on the top right!

Thanks for reading,
Robert Elder

Heroes of the wolves

The second in a series of articles about Wolf Centers and Preserves across North America

   Located just about 50 miles outside San Diego near the town of Julian, the California Wolf Center was founded in 1977 to educate the world on ecology and the wildlife. It currently has several packs of gray wolves, and is one of the mainstays of the SSP program to return the Mexican gray wolf to the wild. The California Wolf Center also has webcams for its wolves, as well as a wildlife handling course.

  Recently, I was able to get a hold of Chelsea Davis, the Animal Care and Facilities Manager of the California Wolf Center and ask her a few questions about the CWC.  Here's what she had to say!

#1- How large is the California Wolf Center in total?
The California Wolf Center is roughly 50 acres split between two different parcels of land.  We have a total of 6 wolf habitats that range from a quarter of an acre to three acres in size.  We have a small staff that operates our animal care facility with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers.  Although we are located in the small town of Julian, CA, we have a broad impact on wolf recovery through our leading role in the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan (a bi-national recovery effort for the critically endangered Mexican gray wolf) and through our outreach education programs throughout the state of California.

#2- What is it like getting to work with one of nature's greatest predators on a daily basis?
For me personally, working with wolves has been a dream come true.  Wolves have always been an animal that fascinated me, from their hunting style to their pack dynamics.  Getting to work with the animals themselves each day is amazing.  Getting to work with conservation through the Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan has been an added bonus.  I get to work with one of the most critically endangered mammals on earth and have a direct impact helping the recovery of this endangered subspecies of gray wolf.

#3- What kind and how many total wolves are at the California Wolf Center?
We currently house nineteen wolves total.  Five are Alaskan gray wolves that are an ambassador pack of wolves.  These wolves help with the educational component of our mission by allowing the general public, school and youth groups, and researchers to observe their natural behavior and learn from them.  It is rare to see wolves in the wild, so we offer a way for people to make a personal connection with wolves and to learn about the important role they play in our environment.  The remaining wolves we house are Mexican gray wolves.  We have one pack of Mexican gray wolves on display so that we can teach people the importance of conserving this critically endangered wolf.  The rest of our Mexican gray wolves are off display because many have the chance to be part of the ongoing reintroduction efforts in New Mexico and Arizona.  Because there is chance that these wolves might be released into the wild, we do not want them getting used to people, and keeping them off display allows them to retain their wild nature.

#4- As Animal Care Manager, what are your daily duties?
My primary responsibilities are to manage animal care for the Center's resident wolves, to maintain a safe environment for the wolves and for visitors and staff, and to assist with the Center's education and outreach efforts.  Because working with wildlife can sometimes involve the unexpected, I do not have a "standard" day.  Sometimes I am out cleaning and maintaining wolf habitats and building dens for the wolves.  Other times I am helping in the office to arrange educational tours and coordinate wolf food pick ups.  Most days, it starts with going out first thing in the morning to perform health and behavior observations on each wolf for our official animal care records.  Habitat cleaning only happens twice a week.  Due to the shy nature of wolves and the large sizes of the habitats, cleaning isn’t needed more often, and it allows the wolves to have their space.  Once cleaning is done, it's normally on to that day's projects.  We are always updating things and changing things for the better at the center, and all these changes help keep me busy. In the evenings, we feed the wolves.  They are most active at this time, so it allows them to eat their food without ravens or squirrels stealing it first.  Some of my days are used to help with education while others are spent helping with fundraising efforts.  Because the California Wolf Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, all of our staff and volunteers help with fundraising.  The staff also conduct research and assist visiting researchers so that we can better understand wolf behavior and how to better protect wolves in the wild.

#5- What can the readers do to support the California Wolf Center?
We are a non-profit and receive no government funding.  We rely heavily on donations, memberships and our educational programs to support our conservation efforts.  People can visit www.calfiorniawolfcenter.org to give donations, become a member or to book a tour to visit, and all of these help support the California Wolf Center.  We also have a volunteer program and an internship program for people looking to volunteer time and gain experience working with wildlife and public education.

  Also, I just wanted to add that, coming up in October is the Wolf Awareness Week event at the CWC with special guest Christina Eisenberg, Wolf Expert, Author and Conservation Advocate! To get more information on this event go to http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/special-events/wolf-awareness-week/ .

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for the next Hero of the wolves!
Robert Elder III

Also don't forget to "like" us on Facebook! Top Right corner of this blog!

Heroes of the wolves

The first in a series of articles about Wolf Centers and Preserves across North America

   

   Located in Salem, NY, the Wolf Conservation Center is one of the top places helping our furry friends on the east coast. They were founded in 1999 and one of the unique features that I enjoy about WCC is the fact that they have webcams for most of the enclosures. This gives you a unique vantage point to view the daily lives of the occupants.

  Another unique aspect of WCC is their ambassador wolf Atka. Atka is an Arctic gray wolf (Canis Lupus Arctos) which live in the Arctic region above 67 north latitude and travels all across the country teaching the world about wolves.. WCC says that in 2010, Atka visited 150 schools, nature centers, museums and libraries. This is really helping the public understand the wolf and debunk a lot of the myths and false opinions of this great animal.

  I got a chance to ask Maggie Howell from the WCC a few questions about the center:

#1- How big is the Wolf Conservation Center exactly?
   Over 27 acres.                                                                          

#2- How many and what types of wolves do you have located at the center?
  We have 25 wolves.16 Mexican gray wolves, 6 red wolves, and 3 Ambassador wolves (one of which is Arctic and the other are a mix of Canadian/Rocky Mtn. and Eastern wolves).

#3- Is there a tour people can take or is it strictly a private facility?
  We offer programs throughout the yr and people are required to register to attend these programs in order to visit.  In 2011, we welcomed over 7000 visitors.

#4- What role do you play is the SSP for red and mexican wolves?
   We participate in both recovery plans housing 16 Mexican wolves and 6 red wolves.  We’ve had a successful litter of Mexican wolves (in 2008) and these wolves have lived off exhibit since their birth.  We welcomed a litter of red wolves in 2010 and the now 2-yr-old still reside at the Center.  In 2013, we’ll host 4 breeding pairs, 2 red and 2 Mexican.  We’ve also had 2 of our Mexican gray wolves released into the wilds of AZ.  The first in 2006 and the second in 2008.  Our second wolf that was released was the last new captive born wolf to be released into the wild.

#5- How can the public support the Wolf Conservation Center?
   By visiting us, attending one of our benefits, donations, our purchasing our merchandise (or voting for us in grant contests driven by social media – pls see the latest in my signature!)

  What Maggie was referring to is a contest that Toyota is doing called "100 cars for good" program. The Wolf Conservation Center is one of the 500 finalists. They need our help by voting for them on August 12th 2012. For more info please go to http://nywolf.org/news/contests .

Thanks for reading!

Robert Elder III 

Update on Me

Well, I've been kind of busy lately, with the start of college and working. I find it important to write quality articles on topics, and will continue to do so. You can expect two more stories this week, as I clear up the backlog! 

 In the meantime, help the wolfwatchers and all wildlife defenders demand a buffer zone in Montana for the Yellowstone National Park. Click this link to get to the story!

http://wolfwatcher.org/news/all-news/take-action-yellowstone-national-park-buffer-zone-for-wolves/

Wolf or dog? Wooof-Dog!

 An article on Wolf-Dog Hybrids

  So we all hear different stories about wolf-dog hybrids, so I thought that I would write an article to clear up some of things that are false, and give you a dose of the facts.  

  

  The first thing you hear people say is that they are great guard dogs. The answer is NO. In fact most of the times the dog is non-aggressive and will only defend itself. This is even more so in a hybrid that is more wolf then dog. They also make horrible watchdogs, since they have a much lower tendency to bark. 

  Another false idea is that the dog is actually bred from a wild wolf. This is not the case. Most of the dogs are descendants of wild wolves caught so long ago before federal regulations that honestly, they could be considered a domestic dog by now. Also, wolves do not go around mating with domestic dogs. Don't allow yourself to be fooled by this. Most "Wolf-Dogs" are mostly just dog. In some cases you can get one that might be a decent amount of wolf, but this is few and far between, and there is no real way of knowing the genetics of the dog. So never be fooled by the its 63% wolf, and 37% husky lines they will try to feed you.

  Lastly, wolf-dogs are not trainable like other dogs. They do not learn the same, they learn by watching etc. More like a cat, they are not really obedient in the slightest.

Wolf-dogs as pets

Support the Campaign at http://www.wolfhaven.org

  I want to say, that for many reasons I'm totally against all wolf-dog breeding and we need to support an end to this. They are not good pets to own, and most end up in shelters or put under. They can however make a good companion, but only if you are ready for the responsibilities.  There is a ton of special needs to consider when getting a wolf-dog. 

A super link to info on this is: http://www.wildsentry.org/Hybrids.htm

  In conclusion, I think people need to really be wise and smart about things they do in terms of adopting all animals. When it comes to the wolf-dog, make sure your ready for a lifetime commitment and not just a cool "Hey guys, I got a wolf" ego trip.

Thanks for Reading!

Robert Elder III

Links: http://www.loveofbreeds.com/Wolfdog.html