Space use of red wolves and coyotes-guest blogger, Dr. Joey Hinton

***Guest Blogger!***

This week, Dr. Joey Hinton, a recent graduate from the University of Georgia, joins us to describe some of his research focused on interactions between red wolves and coyotes in northeastern North Carolina.

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Like many endangered species, we know very little about red wolf ecology because they were reduced to a single remnant population before scientists could study their behaviors. Human-caused mortality and red wolf hybridization with coyotes threaten red wolf recovery efforts. Despite these challenges, successful restoration of red wolves will occur in human-altered landscapes with the presence coyote populations. Therefore, understanding red wolf and coyote ecology is fundamental to successful recovery. Conducting studies on large endangered carnivores is challenging and I was fortunate to collaborate with the

Red Wolf Recovery Program.  This study was conducted in part during my doctoral graduate work at the University of Georgia.

Photos by J. Hinton.

 From 2009 through 2011, I assisted Red Wolf Recovery Program biologists with trapping red wolves and coyotes and radio-collaring individuals with global position system (GPS) radio-collars. GPS collars allowed us to collect locations on red wolves and coyotes 5-12 times/ day. With these data, I calculated the size and habitat composition of red wolf and coyote territories. These data provide insights into how red wolves and coyotes use and move through the landscape. 

 

Dr. Hinton and RWRP biologist fitting an animal with a radio collar.

Both species were mostly nocturnal with approximately 80% of all their movements occurring between sunset and sunrise. We found red wolves and coyotes to use similar habitats and preferred open, treeless agricultural areas over forested areas. Typically, red wolves and coyotes seek cover in agricultural crops (when available), fallow fields with high vegetation, and forested areas during the day. Once night came, both species leave cover and use open fields, forest edges, and dirt roads to hunt and defend territories.

Red wolf with GPS collar. Photo by J. Hinton.

We also found red wolves and coyotes to have two space use statuses: residents and transients. Residents are breeders and their offspring that maintain territories, whereas transients are typically young dispersing individuals with the intent to establish territories and reproduce. Transients rarely have breeding opportunities because they are solitary and nomadic until they find a mate. As a result, transients traverse over larger areas than residents do. For instance, transient red wolves and coyotes commonly traversed areas of 30 to 300 mi² before establishing territories with a mate. This period can be between 2 weeks to 2 years. Once transients became residents, they establish territories that are much smaller. Red wolves typically defend areas about 19 mi² whereas coyote territories are smaller at approximately 10 mi².

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Thank you to Dr. Hinton for sharing! Stay tuned for more research updates soon from our partners!

Welcome Jeremy, our summer red wolf caretaker intern!

Please help us welcome our most recent addition to the Red Wolf Recovery Program, Jeremy!  He will be the red wolf caretaker intern April through August 2014. 

Jeremy was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri. As a high school student, he began volunteering in the Saint Louis Zoo’s Zoo ALIVE teen education program.  Soon after, he joined the Zoo’s education department as a full-time employee.  At the Zoo, his mission is to nurture respect for animals and their habitats, and to promote conservation action by providing educational opportunities and experiences.  After five years assisting with these educational programs, Jeremy switched gears and is now a seasonal carnivore keeper at the Zoo. He is excited to see the new Andean bear, sun bear, and painted dog habitats--all of which will open this summer!

Jeremy graduated from the University of Missouri-Saint Louis in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He is considering attending graduate school to earn a a Masters in conservation biology with a focus on carnivores.  Jeremy also has spent some time at another Red Wolf Species Survival Plan facility, the Endangered Wolf Center (EWC; Saint Louis, MO).  He participated in the EWC internship program and continues to volunteer there. He is very thankful to the EWC for inspiring him to pursue a career working with carnivores.

Jeremy and wild red wolf pup in the Red Wolf Recovery Area.

We’re lucky to have Jeremy as he brings a wealth of education and outreach experience, animal handling skills, and knowledge of carnivore biology to this position.  During the summer, we receive many visitors to this region and we’re grateful for his assistance and outreach support.

Welcome Jeremy!

RWSSP site of the month--Wolf Conservation Center!

The Red Wolf Species Survival Plan (RWSSP) is the foundation of the Red Wolf Recovery Program. To let people know what’s happening throughout the program, we are continuing to feature different RWSSP locations.  The RWSSP of the month is the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York.  WCC was founded in 1999 by Hélène Grimaud, as a private, not-for-profit environmental education organization. The WCC’s mission is to promote wolf conservation by teaching about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future. The WCC accomplishes this mission through onsite and offsite education programs emphasizing wolf biology, the ecological benefits of wolves and other large predators, and the current status of wolf recovery in the United States.

 

Captive red wolf at WCC.  Photo credit: Rebecca Bose.

In 2003, the WCC joined the RWSSP program.  Additionally, the WCC also participates in the SSP for another critically endangered wolf species, the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi). Since then, WCC has grown both their wolf population and their staff, with 30 wolves and 4 full-time employees (and many talented volunteers!).  They have established 19 acres of protected land as home for their SSP programs, Ambassador wolf populations, and education programs.

Captive red wolf at WCC.  Photo credit: Rebecca Bose.

The WCC is currently home to four red wolves, including two breeding pairs 1394M and 1291F and 1565M and 1397F. Of these animals, 1291F has been a resident WCC the longest amount of time.  She arrived in 2004 from Trevor Zoo (Millbrook, NY). Her mate, M1394 was transferred to WCC from Mill Mountain (Roanoke, Virginia) in 2011. The other pair is a more recently duo, with M1565 arriving from St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge (Florida) in December 2013 (read about his journey here).  F1397 came to WCC from the North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro, NC) in 2009.  From their website, you can observe F1397 and M1565 through the den and exclosure cameras in their exhibit.

Captive red wolf at WCC.  Photo credit: Rebecca Bose.

Wolf Conservation Center has also played a large role in red wolf education efforts, both within the RWSSP network and through public events at the site.  WCC offers multiple programs and opportunities for kids to learn about wolves, use telemetry tracking tools, and meet wolf ambassadors. Registration for four day summer programs for grades 2-3 and grades 4-6 is currently open.

Thank you Wolf Conservation Center!! Special thanks to WCC's Curator, Rebecca Bose, for sharing her amazing photographs of the red wolves at WCC!

Please visit their website or Facebook page for more information!

Happy Earth Day!

Wild red wolf pup. Photo credit: B. Harrison/USFWS.

Today in honor of Earth Day 2014, we recognize the evolving challenges of conservation. Many threatened and endangered species are still in decline, causing scientists and concerned citizens to find new ways to find a more sustainable future.  How can you help?

1         1.  Learn about red wolves and other wildlife

Wolves and other predators are often misunderstood.  Education is key.  The more you know the more effective you will be at changing attitudes.  Visit the Red Wolf Recovery Program  and USFWS Endangered Species websites to get started! 

       2.   Visit a place where red wolves live

Plan a trip to red wolf country in northeastern North Carolina, the only place red wolves currently exist in the wild. Visit a zoo or nature center in the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan.  Find a red wolf exhibit near you.

       3.  Get involved

Support the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Red Wolf Species Survival Plan, or one of our many partners.  We can work together!

      4.  Express your concerns about wildlife

Talk to elected officials, lawmakers, and leaders of civic and business organizations.  Ask them to support wildlife conservation efforts and programs. Find your state representative here.

      5.  Protect natural areas

Red wolves and other wildlife need space and wild lands to thrive.  Support land conservation initiatives and programs.  We work with The Nature Conservancy, the Wildlands Network, and other groups on land protection issues.

      6.  Reduce your carbon footprint

Climate change impacts many wildlife species.  Learn how you can calculate and reduce your carbon footprint.