Support wolf research through
The Friends of Algonquin Park!
Please write wolf research in the comments
section of the online donation form or on your cheque if mailing in a donation.
All donations will be used to directly fund wolf research in and around Algonquin Park.
Project Description:
We have been studying hybridization dynamics between wolves and coyotes in and around Algonquin Park since 2007. Hybridization is inter-breeding between genetically distinct populations or species. Hybridization between eastern wolves (Canis lycaon) and coyotes (Canis latrans) occurs in Ontario, and the overall goal of the project is to provide a greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying this hybridization and the consequences for wolf conservation. To accomplish this we are:
1) Determining where wolves, coyotes, and hybrids occur across the study area,
2) Comparing population dynamics (survival and reproduction) between wolves, coyotes, and hybrids,
3) Investigating behaviour of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids and the interaction of these behavioural patterns with population dynamics and hybridization.
To achieve these objectives, we capture wolves, coyotes, and hybrids, obtain a genetic profile and track their behaviour, survival, and reproduction using radio-telemetry. We also use telemetry to locate wolf dens so that we can capture pups, implant them with radio-transmitters, and track their survival and dispersal. So far we have documented higher mortality for pups in Algonquin than previously reported. We hope to complete this work with a final pup tagging season in spring of 2011 to verify these findings and ensure that we obtain rigorous pup survival estimates for the Algonquin population, but additional funding is required. To support continued wolf research in and around Algonquin park please consider making a charitable donation using The Friends of Algonquin Park link above. Please note that all donations will be used to support wolf research even if we are unable to acquire sufficient funding for the 2011 pup work. For a more detailed summary of the project, please click here!
