issue 50 autumn winter 2013 1 - uk wolf conservation trust · issue 50 autumn winter 2013 | 3...

ISSUE 50 AUTUMN WINTER 2013 | 1

2 | UKWCT WOLF PRINT

Editor’sLetter

We havereached animportant

milestone in theevolution of WolfPrint: this will be our50th issue. I haveworked with and

learnt from all its previous editors: Denise Taylor, ToniShelbourne and Vicky Hughes. I would like to thank them forbeing such excellent role models – the magazine has alwaysbeen a strong team effort and with Gillian at Business Pluspointworking her magic on design and layout, it is now something tobe proud of: a good blend of relevant lupine news, researchand even the arts. We are not afraid to tackle some of themore visceral or controversial aspects of the wolf world – it isall about what is relevant.

We should all feel proud that at our recent seminar(reviewed on pages 22 to 23), two of our speakers, Dr CristinaEisenberg and Dr Doug Smith, praised Wolf Print. In that sameweekend, I also talked to some of the brilliant and hardworkingTrust volunteers. Wolf News is written by those who know (andlove) our magnificent animals best and is not only an invaluableinsight into the Trust but also a window on closely observedanimal behaviour – those small, interesting things that makeseach animal unique. Wolf Print hopefully is the culmination ofpractical knowledge and science, in a readable format. Thereare a number of diverse talents and skills at the Trust – with allof us working for a common goal: the conservation of theanimal that is an iconic representation of what it is to be wild.

In this issue, there are write-ups on seminars near and far,an informative article on wolf communication and the winningentries for the Joan Paddick Wildlife Photography Awards(pages 4 to 6). More and more I am discovering people doinginteresting things in the lupine world – particularly children’sauthors who can help shape young minds in a positive way, byavoiding tooth and claw clichés when depicting largepredators.

I am honoured to be Editor. Now onwards and upwards!

Julia BohannaJulia BohannaEditor

EditorJulia BohannaTel: 0118 971 3330 Email: [email protected]

Assistant EditorDanny Kidby-Hunter

Editorial TeamTara ArmstrongAngela BarrowPete HaswellLynn KentTsa PalmerDenise Taylor

PatronsMartin ‘Wolfie’ AdamsDavid Clement-DaviesCornelia ‘Neil’ HuttDesmond MorrisMarco MusianiMichelle Paver

The UK Wolf Conservation Trust DirectorsNigel BulmerAnne CarterCharles HicksSue HullLinda MalliffTsa Palmer

Specialist AdvisorsAlistair BathGarry MarvinKirsty PeakeClaudio SilleroDenise Taylor

The UK Wolf Conservation Trust is a companylimited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales.Company No. 3686061.

The opinions expressed in this magazine are notnecessarily those of the publishers or The UK WolfConservation Trust.

All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in any manner,in whole or in part, in English or other languages, is prohibited. The workmay not be photocopied or otherwise reproduced within the terms ofany licence granted by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd or thePublishers Licensing Society Ltd.

Aims of the UK Wolf Conservation Trust· To increase public awareness and knowledge of

wild wolves and their place in the ecosystem.· To provide opportunities for ethological and other

research that may improve the lives of wolvesboth in captivity and in the wild.

· To provide wolf-related education programmesfor young people and adults.

· To raise money to help fund wolf-relatedconservation projects around the world.

Download Wolf Print, including back issues, fromwww.ukwolf.org

Design and artwork produced by Business Pluspoint:www.businesspluspoint.co.uk | 01305 457084Printed by: Pensord, NP12 2YA. www.pensord.co.uk onFSC paper from sustainable forest sources.

This magazine is fully recyclable. By recycling magazinesyou can help to reduce waste and add to the millions oftonnes of paper already recycled every year by the UKpaper industry. You can recycle paper through yourhome recycling collection scheme or at your localrecycling centre. Visit www.recyclenow.com and enteryour postcode to find your nearest site.

WOLF PRINT Issue 50


contents

2 Editor’s Letter23 Making Tracks Book reviews from Julia Bohanna27 Wolves of the World

Wolf stories from around the world32 Merchandise

New exclusive gifts and souvenirs

4 The Joan Paddick Photography Awards 2013:The winners and runners-up

7 Trust NewsFacebook, pumpkins and Wolf Awareness Week

10 Director’s LetterChanges at the Trust

12 Update on the Trust’s wolvesOur young wolves are growing up

20 A report from the UKWCT Annual Seminar

16 Lupine secrets unlocked by technology:Wolves have ‘accents’

18 Surviving in human-dominated landscapes The UKWCT attends a wolf conference in Slovenia22 Wolves and Humans at the Crossroads

A report from the 2013 International Wolf Symposium30 Project Update from Nepal Distribution of and threats to the wolf’s survival in Nepal

35 Events at the TrustVisit Wednesdays, howl nights and more

REGULARS

NEWS FROM THE TRUST

FEATURES

WHAT’S COMING UP


FOREWORDDanny Kidby-Hunter, Competition CoordinatorThe Joan Paddick Photography Awards were launched in February2013 by the Trust – our very first photography competition – to paytribute to one of its most dedicated volunteers. Joan, who sadlypassed away in 2012, was known for her love of nature and thestriking images she captured. We wanted to recognise the talents ofthose naturalists and aspiring photographers who also raiseawareness of nature through breathtaking imagery.

We received well over 100 submissions across each of thecategories and, with great difficulty, drew up a shortlist of 26. Allimages were judged anonymously. Although we obviously lookedfor aesthetic and technical qualities, great emphasis was placed onethics, respect, exploration and capturing the essence of nature.The volume of entries and the standard of those entries wasphenomenal.

We had hoped entrants would pave the way for the future ofthe competition. I think you will agree, they most certainly have…

THE JUDGESTeresa Palmer (UKWCT Managing Director and co-founder), Danny Kidby-Hunter (UKWCT Wolf Keeperand Student Co-ordinator), Victoria Allison (AssistantSenior Handler), Jim Dutcher (award-winning wildlifefilmmaker, photographer and conservationist),Jamie Dutcher (award-winning sound recordist,photographer and conservationist) and Bob Brind-Surch (naturalist and award-winning wildlifephotographer).

To all of those who entered, on behalf of thejudging panel, the UKWCT and the Paddick family,we thank you for supporting the Joan PaddickPhotography Awards 2013. We hope you willcontinue to enjoy nature and look forward to seeingyour images in 2014!

Bob Brind-Surch: “What really makesthis one for me is not just the perfectcomposition, the sharp image and thegreat background, but the story…thephotographer has managed to capturenot just that moment but two verydifferent individual attitudes in the birds.The behaviour captured is stunning.”

Danny Kidby-Hunter: “Birds were apopular contender in this year’scompetition but this one stood out fromthe rest with its energetic content.”

Jim and Jamie Dutcher: “We all agreedthat this was a very difficult group tojudge. We went for behaviour and

composition rather than technicalaspects, which in the end, was whatreally divides them. The behaviour iscaptured really well and we just keptcoming back to it.”

OVERALL WINNER: “Squabbling Starlings” by Rose Ravenscroft and WINNER 18+ category“I took this photograph of two juvenile starlings squabbling late in the afternoon on 25 June 2012. I’d just put some food out on thebird table in my front garden at Freiston Shore, Lincolnshire. Within minutes a number of young starlings arrived and soon polishedit all off.”


Hungry Swallow Chicks – Isobel SykesWINNER age 6–12 category“We have swallows nesting inside our garage. My dad lifted me up ontothe beams and I sat all day watching the mum and dad feed the hungrychicks.”

Bob Brind-Surch:“This is a brilliant picture – well captured – well timed – well exposedand well composed. Getting both chicks with their beaks open was areal achievement and the jaunty angle really works well. An absolutemasterpiece.“

Seal on Beach – Veda Kavanagh, WINNER – Wolf Team“This was my first time to use my DSLRcamera bought only days before myholiday to Hemsby near The NorfolkBroads. Locals had told me about a colonyof seals that come yearly to breed nearbythat due to the long winter were stillaround. I walked on the beach every day.On 11 May, my last day at around 1pm Igot to see the best sights ever, a wholecolony of seals.”

Bob Brind-Surch:“A superb sharp detailed photo. Seals arecreatures of the wide open seas and onlycome out on a beach to bask or pup. It’svery tempting to zoom in very close andexclude the surroundings. You have alsonailed the focus and exposure perfectly.”

Jim and Jamie Dutcher:“There were more than just afew entries which were reallyimpressive! We think the stageis set for a bigger showingnext year.”

Danny Kidby-Hunter: “[The competition] was not justabout taking a nice photograph, but to capture a momentin time and unravel a story which would provoke feelingand emotion in the viewer."

Puffins – Hannah LewisWINNER age 13–17 category“Puffins at the puffin colony on the Isle ofStaffa, Scotland.Taken at 4.07pm, on 26 July 2013.”

Bob Brind-Surch: “The exposure isperfect – black and white is never easybut there is nothing under or overexposed and there is detail in the whiteand black feathers.”



Male Broad–bodied Chaser Dragonfly –Clive Longbottom, RUNNER-UP Wolf Team“Broad-bodied chaser at rest above a pond at Merriments Gardens,near Rye, Sussex, June 2013.”

Bob Brind-Surch: “Dragonflies…have fantastic eyesight and canrespond really quickly making approaching them very difficult. Theyare also active in the brightest of sunshine making exposure verytricky. A great photo of a very difficult subject.

Reflections – Pui Hang MilesHIGHLY COMMENDEDDanny Kidby-Hunter: “Thiswas one of my favouriteimages of the competition.You really could turn itupside-down and almost notknow which way is which –almost.”

Puffin Howling at the Sun – Alastair WilsonRUNNER-UP 18+ category“Atlantic Puffin howling at the setting sun. Hermaness NationalNature Reserve, Unst, Shetland, on 29 June 2009 at 22:24hrs.”

Danny Kidby-Hunter:“This was a sensational image. Puffins are often viewed as quirkylittle characters and what I love about this is how the photographerhas depicted the animal in a more noble and gracious light.”

The Joan Paddick Photography Awards 2013 – the runners-up

Starling and Caterpillar – Milly Pope, RUNNER-UP age 6–12 category“On 15 May, in the morning, I saw acolourful starling perched on the archwhere the bird feeders hang. I thought itwas a great opportunity to take a pictureof a pretty wet bird with a hugecaterpillar in its beak. I use my Dad’sNikon P521 camera when he’s notlooking!”

Danny Kidby-Hunter: “Sometimeshearing about the back story of how aphotograph was taken is just asinteresting as the image itself. Iparticularly love that Milly ‘borrows’ her dad’s camera when he’s not looking!”

The Brave Fox – Nicola PerryRUNNER-UP age 13–17category“This photo was taken inColchester in our back garden. Asit came towards the end of theday me and my little brother sawthis fox playing outside at thebottom of our garden. It wasrolling around and watching usand wasn’t afraid of us at all!”

Bob Brind-Surch: “Foxes arebecoming so brave andaccustomed to people in urbansettings now but it’s always greatto observe and photograph them.This one was well seen and clearlythe photographer enjoyed theexperience.”

Teresa Palmer: “I was extremely impressed with both thenumber and the high quality of those entries in ourcompetition in memory of Joan. Joan would, I know, have soappreciated the competition and would have loved to havebeen part of it all. The annual competition is a lasting legacyto a special wolf volunteer.”



In celebration of Wolf Awareness Week, the Trust ran a fullschedule of events, from children’s creative writing workshopsto seminars with world-renowned speakers.

To kick-start the celebrations, children’s writers MichellePaver, author of The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, and PiersTorday, author of The Last Wild, took children through theprocess of creating a gripping story at our creative writingworkshops.

Wednesday saw professional wildlife photographer, BobBrind-Surch teaching photography students the tricks of thetrade and showing them how to capture creative wildlifeimages.

On Thursday we held our last Open Day of the year andpeople were given the opportunity to visit and enjoy a dayobserving the wolves.

On Friday avid photographers spent the day photographingand learning about our wolves. They then joined Tala and Nukaon a walk which allowed them to get up close and personal.

We ended the week-long celebrations with our twoseminars, which saw wolf experts from around the world.Speakers included Dr Doug Smith, Dr Cristina Eisenburg, Paul

Lister and Will Burrard-Lucas. (For Julia Bohanna’s write-up onthe seminar please see pages 20–21.)

Thank you to all those who supported us by attending theevents and we hope to see you again soon!

A busy day in the Trust’s shop for speaker and author Doug Smith

Work Experience: Casting TracksSince spotting a huge wolf print leftbehind from a walk with Mosi, Mai andTorak in 2007, I’ve wanted to try toexamine and ‘capture’ a Trust wolftrack.

2013: When I arrived for a workexperience placement, my experimentswith plaster, mud and perfume began!

On a metre-long stretch of muddytrack near the fence inside the Arcticenclosure, I dampened/loosened theearth with a trowel and water thensmoothed it over like wet cement. Isprinkled around interesting scents likecoffee, perfume etc, to convince thewolves to walk across.

The Arctic Pack, who hadbeen shut out, returned.Later that day, the pack wasshut out again and left behindwere seven clear paw prints.

Initially, I simply mixed onepart plaster to one part water,tapped the mixing container toremove the air bubbles, thenpoured the mix straight on afew of the tracks where it overflowed alittle, all the while watched intently byMassak, Pukak and Sikko from theother side of the fence.

Later, I began using inch-high ringscut from plastic milk cartons (see left)encasing the prints to make solid,square tracks. I then covered them allwith protective plastic bin bags, helddown by rocks and logs and left themovernight to set.

The next morning, some of castswithout a container cracked on beingdug out of the ground. The hard plasticcasing seemed a better option.

One batch failed to set in theBeenham’s enclosure. With no plaster

left to cast Nuka’s huge muddy print, Idug it up and let it dry. Variations wereinteresting: marks of fur between thepads, specific claw length and even athree-toed print from Tala’s back paw.I learnt that you should:

● Add plaster to water, rather thanvice versa

● Remember that casts are fragile● Test out the quality of the plaster

on a small project first● Use a container to make

fragmentation less likely● Not use bin bags as a liner

Helen Hobin


Trust News

Did you know that you can followus on Facebook? With nearly 7,000followers and daily updates, it’sthe best way to keep up to datewith what is happening at the Trustas well as out in the wolfcommunity. You’ll find lots of funfacts, news of events, special offersand great photos.

Like us athttps://www.facebook.com/UKWolfTrust

The wolves have been enjoying somefantastic enrichment activities recently.

September saw them enjoying juicywatermelons and during the Octoberhalf term, the wolves chowed down onsome specially prepared pumpkins!

To celebrate Halloween, some of ouryoung supporters gutted pumpkins andthen carved out some great wolfydesigns before stuffing the insides withhot dogs, tuna, black pudding andcheese! The wolves loved working outhow to rip open the pumpkins to get toall of the meaty treats inside!

Howl’oween

DONATION NEWSThe UK Wolf Conservation Trust donated to thefollowing wolf projects in October 2013.

● £1,000 to Balkani Wildlife Society in Bulgaria● £4,000 to Chisty Les Biological Station in Russia● £2,000 to the Red Wolf Coalition in the USA

Torak, by Tara Armstrong Mosi, by Danny Kidby-Hunter

Photo byVladmirBologov


REISSWOLF SUPPORTS ‘NUKA’ AT THE UK WOLF CONSERVATION TRUST

REISSWOLF LONDON LTD (RWL),one of the UK’s market-leadingsecure, confidential documentdestruction specialists, issponsoring a two-year-old-male

wolf named ‘Nuka’ at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust(UKWCT) as part of its ongoing strategy to supportcommunity and organisational programmes.

RWL chose to support the UKWCT on the strength of itsglobal awareness-raising, educational focus and its non-profit-making status. The Trust, through its internationalnetwork of contacts, works with schools, colleges anduniversities throughout the UK and dedicates its timesupporting projects and creating awareness, improving thelives of wild wolves globally.

Owners Roger and Tsa Palmer formed the Trust on theirland in a sleepy Berkshire village in 1995. Prior to this, theyhad kept a private collection of wolves for many years. Eversince, Tsa and her committed team of volunteers haveworked tirelessly with their ten ambassador wolves thatreally are the showcase of the Trust.

Nuka, a grey wolf, born on 3rd May 2011 is one of theambassador wolves at the Trust and is of a playful nature,making him a very endearing and interesting character to bearound. He lives with his sisters Tala and Tundra and is a realcrowd-pleaser who loves attention.

RWL, established in Germany in 1995, provides a securedata destruction service trading in 27 countries with 95partners/branches. Priding itself in old-fashioned values oftrust, security and exceptional customer service, RWLprovides a range of container options from sacks to securealuminium bins that can be exchanged on a schedule or adhoc basis.

All material collected is shred within 24 hrs to BSIA Level 6and shipped to a UK paper mill where it is recycled into paperhygiene products, providing a zero landfill solution.

Through its sponsorship, RWL aims to encourage thecommunity to not only recycle confidential waste paper, butalso all paper media, cardboard, textiles, plastics and WEEE(waste electrical and electronic equipment). The collection ofsuch items will enable RWL to raise funds to promote wolfconservation and support worldwide wolf-related projects.

Commenting on the launch of its recent project, ManagingDirector, Gary Tait explains: “It’s great to be part of such aworthy trust. We look forward to following Nuka’s progressand supporting the various projects that the UKWCT areinvolved with. We are totally committed to improving ourcorporate social responsibility wherever possible and throughthe UKWCT project we will be able to continue to implementour zero-to-landfill programme.”

Reisswolf London Ltd01525 379405, www.rw-london.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE

Nuka, by Danny Kidby-Hunter

The Joan Paddick Photography Awards 2013 – Winners’ DayOn 12th October the winners of our Joan Paddick PhotographyAwards attended their private photography day here at theTrust.

The winners were presented their prizes and certificates byTrust officials and then they and their guests spent the morning

photographing our ambassador wolves. The Paddick family alsoattended the day to meet and congratulate the winners ontheir winning images. In the afternoon the winners and theirguests joined the Beenham Pack on their weekend walk andsome were even honoured with a few friendly licks from Nukaand Tala!



ANOTHER YEAR AT THE TRUST DRAWS TO A CLOSE.The wolves have all enjoyed the warm summerweather, lazing in their enclosures. The new pond inthe top enclosure was certainly a good investment, ason the hottest days, the Arctic pack happily splashedand played in it, much to the visitors’ delight.

We have had three very busy open days this year,with around 2,000 visitors on each day. Although thishas obviously been successful in financial terms andfor getting publicity and increasing awareness of theTrust, I feel that we have been victims of our ownsuccess. These open days have now grown too busyfor us to be able to talk to visitors in a meaningfulway about the wolves and about the work the Trust isdoing in supporting projects and wolf conservation.We have had a couple of negative reviews onTripadvisor about our open days (but a great manygood ones) where visitors have in a snapshot visitreported that we are like a zoo. We arefundamentally very different from zoos and otherinstitutions in that our wolves have specialrelationships with handlers and it is reciprocated.There are crucial differences between the aims thatunderpin the UKWCT and those of other institutions:everything we do with the wolves is based on a finebalance between creating the greatest good forwolves as a species, getting the most amount ofpublicity for, awareness of, education about andraising funds for wolves and wolf projects worldwide,whilst on the other hand caring for and giving ourown wolves the best quality of life possible. Ofcourse, this is a continual juggling act and thussometimes needs tweaking.

However, the ultimate goals of the Trust and its roleand successes remain strong and, although it is sad tosee negative criticism, we see that:

1. The Tripadvisor 5-star rating and a ‘Certificate ofExcellence 2013’ for the Trust is phenomenallyimpressive

2. Negative feedback can be useful3. Some people give negative feedback without

being able to judge fairly, or using the wrong andunhelpful criteria that no animals should be incaptivity ever. The wolves in captivity really haveto be the necessary result of a greater project ofconservation and education (and our wolves arevery happy and cared for anyway). I do not thinkthey understand that captive wolves and humanshave a very tightrope relationship consisting ofrespect, reverence, playfulness and friendship.We want anyone who visits to see andunderstand how the volunteers have strongrelationships with the wolves and how it isreciprocated.

DIRECTOR’S LETTER



DIRECTOR’S LETTER

This year has seen two key membersof the Trust leave, which is alwayssad. I would like to thank both CliveReadings and Vicky Allison in all theyhave done for the wolves and thedevelopment of the Trust.

In 2004, Clive stepped in after myhusband Roger’s untimely death, totake the position of Wolf Keeper andSite Manager. Clive had recentlyretired from the Fire Service and hadbeen a volunteer at the Trust since2002. So it was a complete careerchange for him, as he had nobackground in animal care as such.However, his passion for the wolveswas obvious.

In Clive’s nine-year tenure workingat the Trust he looked after 17wolves.

His deep commitment to thewolves and his high standard of carewas evident for all to see andcommented on by many visitors. Thehighlight of his time here was thenight of the birth of Tundra, Tala andNuka, when he and I were anxiouslyon duty and witnessed the births firsthand. The subsequent hand-raising ofthe cubs and also the earlier arrivalof Torak, Mosi and Mai were busyand particularly fulfilling days for him.

Clive did an enormous amount inthe development of the site. In 2004,the building we now proudly use asthe Visitors’ Centre and shop, was anuntidy barn which Clive transformedby painting it and fitting the shelvesand display cabinets. The facilities onsite, with the Education Room andphotographic areas for the visitors,have improved beyond recognition.The wolves have also benefited fromnew platforms and ponds to bettertheir enrichment. We wish him well.

Vicky came to the Trust in 2005 asa work experience student whilestudying Animal Behaviour at

Wiltshire College and undertook adissertation “Do wolves selfmedicate?” by providing each of thewolf enclosures with troughscontaining planted herbs, to see ifthe wolves would eat them.

She obtained a first class mark inthe dissertation and concluded thatwolves do self-medicate, which wasfascinating. In 2006 when Torak,Mosi and Mai arrived she was veryinvolved in their upbringing and hada natural rapport with them. In 2008Vicky joined the Trust staff asAssistant Education Officer and waspromoted to Education Officer andEditor of Wolf Print when ToniShelbourne left in 2011. Herdaughter Megan was now two yearsold, so Vicky reduced her hours tocombine the job with childcare.Megan started full time school thisSeptember, so Vicky has decided totake a part time job as Lecturer atWilshire College, which fits withMegan’s school term times. We arealways at our busiest here at theTrust in the school holidays!

AND WELCOMEWe will miss both Clive and Vicky

and hope they continue to come andvisit the wolves. To replace themboth we have Danny Kidby-Hunter,Wolf Keeper and StudentCo-ordinator and Tara Armstrong,who joined the staff in February thisyear and is currently ConservationCoordinator.

Both Danny and Tara are hugelyenthusiastic about their additionalresponsibilities and brimming withnew ideas…so watch this space!

Finally, we welcome Julia Bohannaas the new editor of Wolf Print. Juliahas been involved with the magazinein one way or another since itslaunch 15 years ago in 1998.

NEW FOR 2014Instead of having three large open days,we have decided that visitors will nowbe able to drop in without prior bookingevery Wednesday. From 8 January,between 11am and 4 pm, volunteersand work experience students willwelcome visitors to the Trust to showand talk about our wolves. There will bean opportunity to watch a new DVD inthe Education Room about the work ofthe Trust and the projects we support,as well as time to have a leisurely picnicif the weather is nice or a browse in theshop. We feel most importantly of allthat the wolves will be relaxed withsmaller amounts of visitors and therewill be better photographicopportunities. We have had so manyrequests from people to visit the Trustthat we feel this should accommodatethose wanting to bring guests andfamily. We will continue to have schooland college groups and run wolf keeperand photographic days on other days ofthe week. However, these Wednesdayvisiting days mean we will no longer beoffering visiting memberships.

LOOKING FORWARDThe wolves have a lot to look forward

to in the Christmas season ahead.Firstly, there is the sold-out ChristmasCracker event in December, when theywill have their favourite treats such ashot dogs and cheese wrapped ascrackers for them to undo and eat.There is also a new event – HowlingChristmas – on Friday, 20th December(see page 35).

We look forward to seeing you in2014 and hope you have a very HappyChristmas and New Year.

Tsa Palmer, Director

OPENWEDNESDAYS GOODBYE


Our six youngest wolves are nowrising three years old and reachingmaturity. In the wild, wolves at

this age leave their family in their third yearin the breeding season to find a mate.Maturity in wolves always brings increasedtension in the pack. In captivity thisdevelopment makes managing wolvesmuch more difficult. When our femaleEuropean sisters Lunca and Latea reachedthis age and also more recently Mosi andMai, these siblings became very aggressiveto each other in order to see who was thedominant wolf. In the case of Mosi andMai, Mosi repeatedly tried to dominateand attack Mai – resulting in injury and ushaving to separate the girls and findanother companion for Mai. Fearinghistory will repeat itself, we have tried topre-empt this behaviour by having Tundraand Tala spayed and Nuka castrated nextspring. Thus we hope that the Beenham

pack will continue to be able to livetogether. We spayed Sikko and castratedMassak and Pukak last year to pre-empthormone-related aggression betweenthe two males, which has so far beensuccessful. However, as our wolvesmature, they will undoubtedly becomemore assertive in their behaviour inmeeting visitors and, mindful of thewolves’ welfare and health and safety, wehave taken the decision that the wolves willno longer do meet-and-greets ontheir walks. Visitors will be able to spendmore time on their walks watching thebehaviour and interaction of the Beenhamand Arctic packs. The wolves will, I am sure,intermingle with visitors at some pointsduring the walks as well as come up topeople of their own accord and there willstill be great photographic opportunities.

Tsa Palmer

Update on the Trust Wolves

Tundra, by Amanda Steele

TUNDRA (below) has kept herplace as dominant female inthe pack but is still very shywhen out with the public.However, on a couple ofoccasions she has come closeenough to someone to givethem a good sniff and thenretires to her usual place, afew metres away from themain group, where she cankeep an eye on what ishappening. Another event thatoften emboldens Tundra is ifshe thinks her sister Tala is notbehaving as she should. Thiscould mean anything fromhowling without permission,to making too much fuss ofNuka!

Angela Barrow



MAI and MOTOMO have swapped enclosures with Mosi andTorak. Moving Motomo (right) around is not an easy task, as heis our only unsocialised wolf and cannot simply be collared upand taken out on a lead! Some intensive planning is requiredbut, as always with wily wolves, plan A does not always workso we try plan B, and then plan C… Eventually Motomoconsented to move through an adjoining gate into the desiredenclosure, to be reunited with his mate Mai who had alreadybeen put in there. The resulting joyful reunion instigated byMotomo fell somewhat flat because Mai was more interestedin fence running with the Arctics. That done however, Maiwelcomed her mate briefly and then set about the importanttask of over-marking the scents left by her sister Mosi, who isalso her arch enemy.

Tala, by Tony Mearman

Motomo, by Tony Mearman

Both Tundra and Tala were spayed inAugust this year, in line with ourneutering policy. Nuka was castrated lastyear. Tundra took longer than her sisterto recover fully from the generalanaesthetic and wobbled around onunsteady legs, sitting down every sooften looking thoroughly confused thather legs would not behave as theyshould. Wolves are very tough and thefollowing day both the girls were back tonormal and clamouring to get back intothe main enclosure with their brother,after being in the holding area overnightto sleep it off.

TALA (above, right) seems to accept herplace as subordinate female withrelatively good grace. But if Tala thinksshe can get away with something, likeeating Tundra’s food, she will give it atry, even though it inevitably means atelling off from her sister. Tala will oftenstart games of chase in the enclosure,encouraging her siblings to run after her.

Thesegamesalso have thepotential to end ina beating-up fromTundra, but if Nuka thinksTundra has overstepped themark he will protect Tala. Tala is fairlyreserved in her dealings with the publicbut always affectionate to people sheknows. When being sedated on site forher operation, Tala fought the sedativeall the way and took a long time to go tosleep. She was also the first to get the

anaesthetic outof her system.While her sisterwas giving agood impressionof a drunkensailor, Tala wasbright, alert andpleased to seethe human whocame to checkon her. Thewolf’s powers ofrecovery areastounding. In

the wild wolves have to be fit and readyto hunt, to protect themselves and theirpack. This instinct to survive is hard-wired in a wolf’s brain, even in captivity.

NUKA (pictured left) will soon be a fullymature, stunningly beautiful, male wolf.But with maturity comes confidence andhe will sometimes give a quiet growl ifhe is not completely happy with anygiven situation. Much like a humanteenager – not yet sure of his place inthe world but metaphorically flexing hismuscles to find out. The transformationwill soon be complete and he will be aforce to be reckoned with. Nuka hasbecome quite a good mediator in thesquabbles between his sisters and willput them in their respective places withgrowls, nips and lots of posturing, just asa wolf should do.



In her own mind, Mai (left) is now the Queen of the WolfTrust since the sad loss of Duma in 2012. Mai is a

confident, mature female, sure of her status. Shedemands respect. She still loves to come out on a

walk with her favourite handlers and will rushonto the yard, squeaking with excitement,when they appear with her collar and lead.Mai is a joy to take out on her privateenrichment walks; she is into everything –scenting, scraping, howling and moving at a

great pace. Of course Motomo must sniff herall over when she returns to the enclosure, to

find out where she’s been and who has beentouching her.

Motomo gets bolder every year it seems. He is no longer afraidof the humans on site and is happy to lie on the mound with Mai, just

behind the fence. He regards it as a great game to pounce up to the boundary if a handler is fussing Mai through the fence. It’s notsuch a game for the handler as Motomo makes no sound as he moves and the sudden appearance of a large wolf staring at youintently with golden eyes less than a metre away is sure to give you pause for thought!

MOSI and TORAK also love to come outon their private enrichment walks. Torakis very excited when he sees his specialhandlers walking towards his enclosureand rushes down to the gate to be readyfor collaring up. If handlers walk past thegate and head for a different enclosure,Torak gets very cross and pulls madly atthe fence with his teeth. It is difficult notto attribute human characteristics to thisbehaviour; he is so obviouslydisappointed and quite put out! Torak islooking magnificent in his summer coatand will only appear more so as hegrows his warm winter undercoat in thecoming weeks.

MOSI (foreground,right) is a little dynamoon her walks andmarches her handlersalong at a great speed,giving them a goodwork-out. There is notime to stop … everysmell leads on to amore exciting one allalong her walk and eachsmell must be dealtwith, either by rolling init or over-marking. Mosinever fails to entertain:when she has a hessiansack soaked in tea orcoffee and filled with straw from thegoats’ pen, she delights everyone withher antics, rolling on it, throwing it intothe air and shaking it madly. It doesn’ttake her long to tear into the sack andget the straw out, perhaps checking thatthere isn’t a goat hiding in there?

TORAK (left ) is probably our tallest wolf,still looking magnificent at seven yearsold. During the summer when he hadshed his undercoat he looked sleek, well-muscled and drew your attention, muchthe same as a rather fancy sports car! Headores his enrichment walks with hisspecial handlers and runs happily to thegate and onto the yard to be collared up.He is a joy to take out, walking quietlybut enjoying every sight, sound and

scent to the maximum. Torak likes hisfood and eats well; however, there isone particular type of food that he feelsshould receive attention other thaneating. Paunch is the lining of ananimal’s stomach and is very good forthe wolves, providing all sorts ofnutrients that they would get from a killin the wild. It also has a very strongsmell. Torak is in ecstasy when given alarge piece of paunch. First he shakes itvigorously then rolls in it; his chin gets agood rub on the paunch then he throwshimself on the smelly stuff, wriggling likemad to make sure the scent reaches theentirety of his body. The rapturousexpression on his face is very amusingbut his devoted handlers tend to givehim a wide berth for a while after this!Torak, by Danny Kidby-Hunter

Mosi (foreground), by Darren Prescott

Mai, by Danny Kidby-Hunter



MASSAK, PUKAK and SIKKO

MASSAK is still the dominant male,despite half-hearted attempts fromPukak to challenge him. He is notquite as tall as Torak but much moreheavily built, so he looks biggeroverall. Massak can make himselflook even bigger than he is byposturing and raising his hackles andtail to the maximum. He dwarfsPukak during their squabbles, whichis a feat in itself; Pukak is not a smallwolf. Most of the time Massak is aneasy-going sort of chap, still a bitwary of people he doesn’t know butis getting more confident as hematures. He loves to play chase withhis siblings and the pure athleticismof these wolves is wonderful to seeas they race around the enclosure,jumping piles of logs and skirtingtheir pond. They can turn on asixpence but at this point in thegame, Massak seems to be entirelycomposed of legs which don’t alwaysdo as he wants. He knows that havingback legs up around his ears is notconducive to speed and has to thinkhard to get them working in the rightorder. He is a magnificent wolf, witha playful side and a sense of humour.

SIKKO, nicknamed “Squeako,” becauseshe continually does so, is still very muchthe princess of the pack. With two muchbigger brothers to stand up to, she haslearned that she can’t really compete onthe size front so uses feminine wiles toget what she wants. It doesn’t alwayswork. Sikko is very affectionate tohandlers but quite often gets pushed outof the way by her jealous brothers. Reallythe only way to ensure that Sikko gets herquota of attention is to have one handlerfussing each of the wolves separately.Sikko loves the pond and can actuallyswim in the deepest part, which sheenjoys immensely. As she emerges fromthe pond her coat is completely flattenedagainst her body, making her look verysleek. After a quick head-to-toe shake, thewonderful Arctic coat is back to its fullglory. Arctic wolves can survive intemperatures of −70°c; they needexcellent protection against the extremecold. The insulation properties of theirthick undercoat are outstanding and thelong guard hairs that lay over the top willkeep out the wettest rain, sleet and snow.Sikko had a wonderful time in the snowlast winter, let’s hope we get some morethis year.

PUKAK (left) can be a wolf with attitude. On the other hand, he canbe affectionate and ingratiating. He is a wolf who is a bit unsure ofhis place in the pack but he would definitely like to have a higherstatus. He has never fully submitted to Massak but neither has hemanaged to overturn him and take over. If Pukak perceives aweakness, in a human or a sibling, he will try to exploit it. Of courseall our wolves will do this: it is natural wolf survival behaviour, butPukak makes it more obvious than most. Pukak has always loved hisfood, anything will do as long as it’s edible. He even tries to stealMassak’s food and Massak has to pull out all the stops to tell him offwith growls and impressive displays of body language. Pukak takesthis with a bad grace and, if a wolf could sulk, Pukak does. Pukak isthe clown of the pack and does everything he can to make himselfpopular with his handlers – and he has succeeded. He is always thefirst to come and greet people and, if you let him, he will make apoint of sitting in your lap. However endearing this may look it isactually a sign of dominance and handlers must take care not toencourage him. Apart from Motomo, all our wolves are socialisedwhich simply means that due to being hand-reared, they have losttheir inherent fear of humans. However, they retain the hard-wiredwild instinct of their native cousins and must be treated with respect.If so treated, they will return that respect. Pukak is no different.

Individual wolf updates by Angela Barrow

The Arctics – Massak, Pukak and Sikko – have moved house into the bottomenclosure. They still have a pond to play in and they take full advantage of it,even in the colder weather.

Pukak, by Pat Melton

Massak and Sikko, by Danny Kidby-Hunter


BBC NATURE (bbc.co.uk/nature/23263266)reported on the recent groundbreakingdiscovery of how much we can actuallylearn from a wolf’s howl and how trulyunique it is. A study has shown that themystifying, famous noise that we all loveto hear can now be connected to, andthus identify, individual wolves with100% accuracy. In science such a highlevel of accuracy is almost unheard ofand the fact that distinct individuals canbe identified with this level ofconfidence, is a breakthrough for wolfconservation. Some people familiar withthe howls of particular wolves (such asthe handlers of our own wolves) wouldbe able to recognise some individuals byhow they sound. However newtechnology will allow the results of theanalysis to give quantitative data, wherethe information can be recorded andfurther compared in a measurable way.By being able to gather informationabout howls in this form, scientists willalso be able to identify wild wolves, withwhich they would be unlikely to befamiliar, giving huge advancements inthe field of wolf conservation.

The discovery was made after a teamat Nottingham Trent University, led byHolly Root-Gutteridge,* developed acomputer programme whichinvestigated the howl data recordingscollected from wild and captive Easterngrey wolves (Canis lupus lycaon). Theprogramme is unique as it allows thevolume and pitch of a howl to beanalysed, whereas previously only thepitch had been able to be examined.Being able to compare the extra factor ofthe volume (or amplitude) of each of therecordings, it is then able to highlight thedistinct differences between each of thewolf’s howls, which is what makes themunique to that individual. The softwaremeans that the howls become more likea vocal signature or a fingerprint, whereno two wolves can produce a howl quitethe same.

Wolves often roam over large homeranges, meaning that the distances theycan, and do travel can be vast, even overshort periods of time. They can keep asteady pace of five miles per hour forextremely long periods, which meansthat just a day’s worth of travelling can

take them a great distance from theirlast location. Wolves’ impressive feats ofstamina, adaptability and thecompulsion to follow prey means that itcan be very hard to keep track of themvisually. As a result it has become anecessity to radio collar lead wolves in apack in order to relocate them but alsoto have a chance to keep pace, to recordthe relevant data that scientists needfrom them. However, the discovery ofthe individuality of wolf howls opens upa variety of new options when it comesto keeping track of the animals, as thenew technology gives scientists a way tomonitor individuals in the wild by soundalone.

Howling is a major part of wolfcommunication and as a result wolveshowl for a variety of different reasons.Some howls are designed to seekinformation, such as when locating a lostpack mate. Others are intended to giveinformation, such as sharing the successof a hunted kill or to protect theirterritory from a rival pack. Howling is away for wolves to communicate over along distance where the intended target

Lupine secrets unlocked by technology:howling wolveshave ‘accents’


For wolves, communication is vital. As socialcreatures that require interaction in order tofunction as a pack, they need to be able to

convey information to one another clearly andsuccessfully. There are many different ways thatwolves can communicate and each method is used fordifferent purposes. Information can be exchangedthrough olfactory means, using scent marking;visually, with body posture; by tactile methods, suchas grooming, and verbally with sounds such asgrowling. However the biggest, most recent discoveryabout wolf communication has been about howling,which is surely one of the most iconic lupineattributes.

Tara Armstrong reports.

Sikko howling, by Stuart Shore


is unlikely to be in sight, much like aversion of our telephone calls. Now wewill be able to tap into theseconversations to gather information forourselves. Wolf howls can be heardover large distances. In forests they canbe heard around six miles away and invast, open tundra as far as ten miles,which makes them a very appealingsurvey method for presence-absencestudies. Being able to identify whichwolf is actually howling, as well as howmany are howling, can provide theresearchers with a lot of information.For example if the howls of somewolves in a particular area werereplaced by a set of new wolf howls, itcould suggest that the previous wolveshad been removed from their territory.This could be caused by the new wolvesreplacing them or various otherreasons. However, for wolvesthemselves, their howls have arequirement to be fully informative.With no means to give visual andolfactory information over longdistances it is possible that howling hasevolved to share details such as theidentity of an individual and to whichpack it belongs.

Before this technology wasdiscovered howling was not considereda very accurate survey method becauseso much of it was down to guesswork.For example: how many wolves werehowling and were they the same wolvesas the night before? However, nowthese mysterious factors are no longerdown to assumption alone: a 97%accuracy can be achieved even whenidentifying individuals calling in a pack“chorus” howl. When the researchersinvestigated further, subspecies andpack accents were also analysed, whichis any familiarity or “traits” in howls thatwere dependent on a wolf’s subspeciesor pack. It was found that subspeciesaccents could be identified with a 90%accuracy, and pack accents with around75-100% accuracy. This could lead toscientists being able to work out whichsubspecies a howling wolf was, as wellwhat pack they could be a part of oreven descended from, giving a wholehost of information from a howl alone.

Holly Root-Gutteridge has alsocollected data from our own wolves atthe UKWCT in a study which is stillcurrently in progress. Holly first gotinvolved with the UKWCT four years agowhen she came to one of our ‘HowlNight’ events and she has visited theTrust many times since, even gettingengaged here last year. Her new studycompares subspecies other than theEastern grey wolves and data from ourpresent and past wolves was used tohelp draw some interesting results.Both sets of sisters used (Mosi and Mai;Lunca and Latea) had more similarhowls than any other individuals, whichsuggests that pack accents are at leastsomewhat down to genetics and canalso be retained over time periods.

As science progresses and discoveriessimilar to this one are made, furtheropportunities are created to learn moreabout wolves as a whole, which will inturn allow us to help and conserve themeven more effectively. The moremethods that are available for data tobe collected, the more information wecan gather to further help us tounderstand and support this incrediblecreature.

Tara ArnstongUKWCT Conservation Co-ordinator,

*Holly Root-Gutteridge waspreviously a research student at the

Trust, as part of her PhD studies atNottingham Trent University.


Tundra howling, by Danny Kidby-Hunter


We have persecuted wolveswith such extreme prejudicefor so long, that somewhere

along the way myth and reality combine,blurring the lines, leaving behind onlycontorted and fragmented myths,perceived as whole truths.

It was from Europe that thesemanipulations of reality were born andallowed to manifest over the years. Itwas the European settlers who tookthese beliefs with them when they setout to conquer the New World. Beforethe first pilgrims first set foot onAmerican soil, the indigenous peopletended the land and the wolf wasrevered as spiritual guide, teacher and‘brother.’

In the modern world, the perceptionof the wolf is still firmly rooted inmythology and the fear of the unknown.It would, however, be unrealistic torefuse to accept that some views arebased on genuine encounters andconflicts within the farming community.

This stems from clashes created by thewolf’s opportunistic nature.

Despite this, it would seem thatopinion in Europe is drastically making aU-turn and awareness for conservationis growing. Ironically, the very source ofthe perceptions of ferocity is now wherethe world should look to, as we pushforward in conservation.

It is currently estimated that 12,000wolves live divided amongst 10populations within 34 countriesthroughout Europe. With the humanpopulation reaching almost 500million, inevitable conflicts betweenwolves and humans arise. It isimpractical to expect farmers andbreeders, whose livelihood depends ontheir livestock, to simply accept theconsequences of sharing their homewith such an opportunistic predator.Solutions need to be implemented tominimise the damages a wolf pack canhave on livestock and to encouragecoexistence.

Wolf experts meet up in SloveniaThe Wolf Conservation in Human

Dominated Landscape Conference washeld on 25th – 27th September inPostojna, a small town in the heart ofwolf habitat.

The conference was hosted by theSloWolf Project of Slovenia, bringingtogether some of the best wolf expertsand biologists from around the world toshare their ideas and solutions. “Bysharing knowledge and experience, wecan considerably increase effectivenessof wolf conservation, improvecooperation, and promote transitionfrom country-based managementtowards management at the level ofpopulation.”

Forging links with wolf conservationistsSeparated by the channel, it is often

easy to feel disconnected and farremoved from the troubles of Europe onour little Island here in the UK. To gain abetter understanding of the situation inEurope regarding the ‘wolf issue,’ mycolleague, Tara Armstrong, and Itravelled to Slovenia to represent the UKWolf Conservation Trust and forge linkswith those working to save the wolf.

Surviving in human-dominated landscapesA report from the SloWolf Project of Slovenia conference “Wolf Conservation in Human Dominated Landscapes”by Danny Kidby-Hunter, UKWCT Wolf Keeper and Student Co-ordinator.

Few species evoke stronger emotions than the wolf. To some they arethe essence of wilderness: the spirit of all that is wild. To others theyprovoke such an intense hatred; fear that has been distorted throughthe centuries and been passed down through the generations.

Photo: Vladimir Bologov


Surviving in human-dominated landscapesOver the course of two days,

delegates listened to the talks of some30 speakers and participated inworkshops on population monitoringdata-collection and sustainable hunting.The French researchers also treated usto rare video footage captured on aStarlight camera of the interactions ofwolves and dogs. Without this new andhighly exclusive technology, this wouldhave previously been impossible.

On the third day, delegates were giventhe opportunity to have a guided tourinto wolf, bear and lynx territory. Thisproved very popular and delegates weretreated to traces of these elusivepredators’ presence in the discovery ofscat and tracks (see right).

Leading wolf-advocates speakThe EU Commissioner, Dr Janez

Potocnik and Minister for Agricultureand the Environment, Mr Dejan Zidan,welcomed delegates and introduced theSloWolf organisation. John D Linnell ofthe Norwegian Institute for NatureResearch opened the conference anddiscussed the controversy surroundingthe notion of ‘rewilding Europe’ andposed the question of whether it waspossible to turn controversy intocoexistence. He explored the notions ofthe four perceptions of wolves: the

historical wolf, the biological wolf – thespecimen of science, the symbolic wolf –of values and ideology, and the politicalwolf – the representation of power,influence and control.

We heard from numerous leadingwolf advocates throughout theweekend, including UKWCT-sponsoredsupporter, Josip Kusak. Josip is aconservationist, research manager andveterinarian in Croatia and waspresenting results from his studies ofareas used by wolves, lynx and cervids inthe Croatian mountains of Gorski kotar.

A reoccurring topic from the speakerswas the use of ‘wolf damageprevention.’ This includes the use oflivestock guarding dogs, fladry, nightenclosures and shepherds. Frenchbiologist Jean-Marc Landry shared withus his new venture in researchingmethods to deter wolves from returningto a flock. Although guarding dogs canhave short-term success rates, they arenot always effective. Wolves oftenreturn to the same flock. A long-termsolution is needed. The dogs mayprevent some attacks on livestock andchase wolves away, but they do not‘teach’ the wolf that they should notreturn. The wolf must associate livestockwith danger or ‘off limits’ so they teachfuture generations of the pack to stayaway. The dogs do not seem to be doingthis. There have even been accounts ofdogs hiding amongst the flock when awolf appears!

Jean-Marc explained his ideas ofrepellent collars for livestock, whichcould detect acute stress in the animal inthe presence of a predator. Othermethods included triggers to repel thewolves and condition them to notreturn. His project, entitled ‘Daphnis

Project,’ was an extremely interestingstudy and we look forward to hearingmore about it in the coming months.

The problem the wolf is facing is thatthere is now a sense of a ‘wolf war,’where politicians now seek to use thespecies to serve their own agenda.Often used as a pawn in their owncorrupt game of chess, politicians usethe wolf to incite hysteria for their ownpersonal gain, preying on fears andinsecurities, which further intensifies theplight of the wolf.

Coexistence is the keyThe prominent message carried

throughout the seminar seemed to bethat the key to conservation wascoexistence which is about toleranceand acceptance. Coexistence is a twoway street and completely ‘converting’opponents is not always a realisticapproach. Understanding differentpoints of view is crucial, and thatincludes that of wolf antagonists.

Thankfully, perceptions in Europe arechanging and because of this, the wolf isslowly making a comeback. They arecrossing borders and now returning toterritories from which wolves have beenabsent from for over 100 years.Migrating from a population in Poland,wolves are now re-establishingthemselves in Saxony, a place fromwhere wolves had disappeared by 1904.It is hoped these transient individualsfrom neighbouring countries willcontinue on their journeys and furtherpopulate the rest of Europe.

In conclusion, we must allow the wolfto be a wolf – neither angel nor demon –but simply a predator striving to survive.

Danny Kidby-Hunter


If a man hasn’t discovered somethingthat he will die for, he isn’t fit to live -Martin Luther King

The weekend’s Trust seminar in ourbrilliant home venue, kicked off withPaul Lister, who owns the AlladaleWilderness Estate in Scotland. Paulrefuted the ill-informed assertion that hewants to reintroduce wolves to TheHighlands. Reintroduction – wherewolves run free – has never been hisintention. He would love to hear a wolfhowl in the Scottish countryside, but itwould involve enclosures and more landacquisition.

Wolves and forest are emblematic ofthe wild and Paul is firmly focused on hisreforesting project at Alladale, as well asvarious other ecological challenges andhis collaboration with The EuropeanNature Trust. He has planted 850,000native local seed-sourced trees on hisestate.

While Paul explained that we have no‘real wild nature left’ the wolves howled

outside – as if in mourning. As alandowner, he has done what he can: inan area that was previously only 5%forest, Alladale is now 15% forest.

Paul Lister knows that with his past asa businessman manufacturing furniture,he was always part of the arborealdepletion problem. Now, like a form ofecological restorative justice, he wantsto be part of the solution. He ispassionate about Romania andeducational projects there. In the 80s as‘a businessman wanting what he could

get,’ the Romanians often refused thescale of his requests to protect theirforest, their wild spaces. It took him awhile to realise his true calling did not liein sawdust and timber: ‘I was not aentrepreneur businessman but more ofan ecologist/activist.’

We were shown an introduction to afilm about the Carpathian MountainRange, a ‘medieval landscape…wherelynx prowl ghost-like…and 45% of allEuropean large predators reside.’

Back in Scotland, smaller projects onthe estate draw less media attention butcontinue quietly and productively. Paulhas been instrumental in restoring peatbogs and encouraging others to do thesame. Boar, he says, would dig upbracken and heather that clog the land,allowing it to breathe. One of Paul’sneighbours is also involved in his owntree planting. A feasibility study ofAlladale is now being done – to show thebenefits in ecology, employment andtourism. After a decade, there are signs:trees and shelter = more insect life =more bird and fish life. A clear indicationof a trophic cascade in action.

What but the wolf’s tooth whittled sofine the fleet limbs of the antelope? –Robinson Jeffers

Trophic cascades were the subject ofconservation biologist Dr CristinaEisenberg’s talk. In The Wolf’s Tooth:Keystone Predators, Trophic Cascades,and Biodiversity, she explained theeffects of removing or reintroducinglarge predators to an ecosystem. Cristinabecame a scientist in an interesting way.She lives in a log cabin in Montana nearthe Canadian border and nearly twodecades ago it was not an area knownfor wolves. When she saw the animalschasing elk, she reported it, only to betold that she had seen ‘big dogs.’ Notthen a scientist – she tracked theanimals and could smell the ‘sweet,earthy woody scent’ of the wolves thathad passed. Later, she observed thenervous elk behaviour when there werepredators in the vicinity. The animalsgrazed less and the previously depletedmeadow subsequently sprang back tolife, with luxuriant shrubs.

We were reminded of Aldo Leopoldand Sir Charles Elton – both ecologistsfrom different continents. Cristinaquoted from Leopold who when inMexico, where there were plenty ofwolves and bears, described it as ‘theonly place I have seen that isn’t sick.’

Cristina commented on the archaicpractice of calling her a ‘lady biologist.’Although she humbly stated that she is a‘beginner scientist’ this is clearly a serious-minded explorer for truth. She is a hunterand a country dweller, which helps herstanding with the hunting fraternity.Clearly, some people are patronisingtowards indigenous populations. Localpeople interested in feeding theirfamilies found lectures on the benefits ofveganism (as a group did recently)ludicrous. There is more sway in empathy,people management and practicalsolutions. The wolf is seen as a nuisance,whereas its presence ‘touches everythingin the food web.’ Evidence is invaluablebut it is an ongoing, difficult process.

The UKWCT Annual Seminar: Conservation in ActionJulia Bohanna, Wolf Print editor, brings us this report

Above and right: seminarspeakers hard at work signingcopies of their books for fans

Paul Lister

Dr Cristina Eisenberg


Visual evidence of the wolf in actionwas most powerful: in places where theyproliferate, there is less damage from elkstripping bark from trees. Willow growsstrong. Wolf populations control andsustain herbivore populations and evenother large carnivores: numerouscreatures feed on a wolf kill, includingthe bears in Yellowstone Park.

The mountains are a part of me, I’mfellow to the trees – Robert Service

Dr Doug Smith (right) admitted thatpremature grey hair arrived courtesy ofhis work in Yellowstone Park, studyingand managing the effects of the 1995reintroduction. Darting wolves from theair is dangerous but aerial observationand radio collaring has given scientistsinvaluable insights.

Doug reminded us that ‘people andpersonalities are important’ inconservation. In 1926 when mostpredators had been extirpated inYellowstone, park administrators likedbears and so kept them. We sawphotographs of bears eating from a wolfkill – wolves are swift but the bear isstronger and able to step in, Johnny-come-lately style – to steal prey. Hespoke too about the frustrations ofhaving radio-collared animals legallyshot the moment they leave the park.Some refer to the wolf as a ‘land shark’and others talk about the wolf ‘holdingall the cards.’ As Doug wryly pointed out,a gun is always the ace of spades.

Doug and Dave Mech have recentlyco-authored a book on the huntinghabits of wolves, to be published in 2014and reviewed in Wolf Print. Photographs

of wolves in hunting mode make thewolf a wild, natural thing. InYellowstone, the wolves live wild and soillness, injury or just fate means thatsome do not survive, even when thereare large litters. At times, wolf kills wolf.We even saw a photograph of a three-legged wolf. Yellowstone has enabledbiologists to monitor pack sizes,dispersal habits and even the waywolves travel in the snow – in single filefollowing the pattern of the previouswalkers’ footprints. Clearly Doug is anethical and dedicated ambassador.

All stories are about wolves. All worthrepeating, that is. Anything else issentimental drivel. – Margaret Atwood

Will Burrard-Lucas’ fine photographs ofthe handsome but endangered Ethiopianwolf (we reviewed his book in the lastissue of Wolf Print) gave a lucid sense ofplace. The photographs of an almostalien landscape, the elegance and dignityof the animal, were remarkable. Will also

highlighted the conservationissues – feral dogs in villagesspreading disease likedistemper and rabies thatrequires a vaccinationprogramme. He talked aboutthe dedicated people likeClaudio Sillero of theEthiopian Wolf Project, whileshowing us entrancing slideafter slide – including ones ofTimothy Spall-like mole rats

that pop from holes in the ground. Will

also explained the problems of ten hourswith his vehicle stuck in viscous mud, orthe once a week shower. This is difficultterrain at high altitude – so not for thefaint-hearted.

As always with lupine seminars, therewas plenty of cross-pollinatedexperience – particularly with peoplepolitics and how wild spaces benefitus all.

On both days, it was rain for the hard-working volunteers and those who wenton the wolf walks with the BeenhamPack. But happy faces and comments like‘Awesome day’ and ‘I’ve travelled so far– I’m exhausted, but it was worth it,’made the weekend shine. The sun alsomade an appearance for photographsand outdoor chat.

It’s a reminder too, as we listened toDoug’s two boys howling at the wolvesand the strong vocal response, that theiconic howl is symbolic of wilderness andwildness. The wolves had their voiceagain this year while other eloquent andinformed global speakers also spoke ontheir behalf.

Julia Bohanna

Paul Lister and Alladale: www.alladale.co.ukwww.earthtimes.org/nature/wild-carpathia-filming-last-untouched-european-wilderness/1554/

Cristina Eisenberg:livingwithwolves.org/wwd_a_c.eisenberg

Doug Smith: www.yellowstone.net

Will Burrard-Lucas: www.burrard-lucas.com

Right: Doug Smith introduces the history ofwolves in Yellowstone National Park

Above: Seminar speakers with UKWCTstaff and volunteers

Dr Doug Smith

Will Burrard-Lucas


2013 International Wolf Symposium: Wolves and Humans at the Crossroads

“I wish I could clone myself and go toevery presentation.” L David Mech (onseeing the programme)

Never have truer words beenspoken. Everyone I spoke withwas of the same opinion.

The symposium was split into twoplenary events – Debate about WolfRecovery: Mexican Wolf Recovery:Moving from Recovery to StateManagement of Wolves; and Debateabout Wolf Hunting/Trapping andWorking Toward Consensus – as well as‘break out’ sessions with four runningtogether:● Wolf Management● Wolf Ecology, Behaviour, Genetics● Wolves and Environmental

Education● Wolf-Human interactions

If I were to give you a brief synopsis ofeverything I attended I would, mostlikely, fill this edition of Wolf Print. I will,therefore, attempt to give you anoverview of this thoroughly successfuland topical conference.

The plenary/panel sessions wereexciting to attend. I must take thisopportunity of congratulating themoderators/facilitators. With such across-section of beliefs in the panel itwas always going to be stimulating. Thepanel participants must also becongratulated on ‘keeping their cool’and were an excellent example to all ofus who try, as wolf advocates, to putacross our side of the argument calmly,coolly.

Focus on a debating sessionEverything was so important but I will

just pick out one that I feel deservesspecial mention, this being the emotiveDebate on Wolf Hunting/Trapping andWorking Toward Consensus.

UKWCT Specialist Advisor Dr AlistairBath was moderator and facilitator andthe debaters were:Howard Goldman: Minnesota SeniorState Director of the Humane Society ofthe US

Jim Hammill: Retiredwildlife biologist forMichigan Departmentof Natural ResourcesGary Leistico: Attorneyand general counsel tothe National TrappersAssociation and theMinnesota TrappersAssociationPaul Paquet: AdjunctProfessor inGeography at theUniversity of Victoria,BC, Canada

Discussion questions included:

Are there circumstances when wolvesshould definitely not be hunted ortrapped?

Responses included:● on tribal owned lands● special parcels of land, i.e. national

parks● small populations● corridors, i.e. to enable genetic

diversity● highly sensitive times of the year.

Kirsty Peake, UKWCT Specialist Advisor, reports from this conference held in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

Speaker: Luigi BoitaniCurrent wolf managements systems inEurope have not secured stability inthe wolf-human relationship. Livestockdepredation is a never-endingproblem. ‘Laissez faire’ is not anacceptable approach, socially orethically. Over 1,000 attacks in thesouth of France have cost the EU €5.6million. Livestock preventionprogrammes should include:prevention, mitigation; predatorcontrol and research. Luigi explainedthe correct way that livestock guarddogs should be used, teamed withshepherds as protection and not forwolf attack. Another problem is alwaysfree-ranging dog-wolf hybridisation.

What level of wolf-human conflict canEurope tolerate? Where?

Croatia’s Djuro Huber talked about thechallenges in wolf management inCroatia after 17 years of protection. In2010 there was a count of 230 andhunting was introduced. In 2013 thepopulation had dropped to 177 andthe hunting quota for the currentseason is zero.

Croatia has two views on the wolves:harmful vs noble.If the wolf is seen as ‘harmful’ it islooked upon as a pest with no value.If it is ‘noble’ then it becomes a gametrophy and therefore has value. The EUis happy that Croatia protects itswolves.

Speaker: Josip KusakThis break-out session covered thedistribution of activity and space useamong wolves, ungulates and humans.43.5% of Croatia is forested andtherefore it is difficult to locate wolves.There are three main areas: high up inNorth Gorski which is heavily forestedand has boar, red and roe deer. Lika isless forested and has just boar and roedeer. Dalmatia in the South is openand more populated by people and theprey is wild boar, sheep and goats. GPScollars were fitted to give informationon activity as well as movement. On 15wolves the collars, over a period of3,743 days, recorded 1,048,272 activityreadings. Data was analysed and inDalmatia, which is quite populated,there was less night activity and morefemale wolves were active than males.

Break out sessions


2013 International Wolf Symposium: Wolves and Humans at the Crossroads

Are there circumstances when wolvesshould definitely be hunted or trapped?

Responses included:● when wolves present a threat to

another endangered species● interspecific stress issues, i.e.

disease such as rabies

● livestock● public safety● excessive reproduction

AwardsPat Goodman, representing Wolf Park,

presented their Eric Klinghammer awardto Rolf Peterson for his work on thewolves of Isle Royale National Park overthe last four decades.

The International Wolf Centre gavetheir ‘Who Speaks for Wolf’ awards to:

Laurie Lyman (left), for heroutstanding work in educating andhelping visitors in Yellowstone NationalPark. (www.yellowstonereports.com).

Jamie Mitchell (far left), a NativeAmerican, who does so much for wolvesin striving to protect them.

Carter Neimeyer (right), a speaker atlast year’s UKWCT seminar, author ofWolfer and a strong supporter of wolfconservation.

ClosingL. Dave Mech closed the conference,

giving the keynote address about his 55year career in wolf research. His workhas covered studying wolves in IsleRoyale, NE Minnesota, Denali,Yellowstone and Ellesmere.

Kirsty Peake

Kirsty Peake, UKWCT Specialist Advisor, reports from this conference held in Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

Photo: Carter Neimeyer on being presentedwith one of three Eric Klinghammer awards.

Making Trackswolves in the media and the arts, brought to you by Julia Bohanna

FERAL CHARTS the personal voyage ofauthor, journalist and environ-mentalist, George Monbiot – into theworld of the UK’s rewilding movement.Rewilding, as a conservation term, hasbeen steadily gaining traction since thelate 1990s. Feral argues againstmainstream conservation (which issupported by EU grants) of preservingecosystems in their current state, orreturning them to a previous state.Instead, rewilding, as a newconservation discourse, is based onletting nature run its own course,forging uncertain future wildecosystems. Here the term self-willed

FERAL – Searching for enchantmenton the frontiers of rewilding

�

George Monbiot, HB, 336pp, Penguin RRP £20 ISBN: 9781846147487

land is often used – land is left to find itsown way, not controlled by people.

Monbiot describes how his journeystemmed from an overwhelming senseof boredom, a feeling of staleness anddrudgery in life. However, encounterswith wild nature and wild animalsreignited a sense of excitement andwonder that had been missing. Monbiotargues that we have lost our way, ourrelationship with nature has waned andour landscapes have become dull anddegraded. Crucially though, it is not onlypossible but also desirable to change thissituation. From the Welsh coasts to theCumbrian moors and the Scottishhighlands and lowlands, there is wildnature to be found.

Monbiot says we still have far to go.The sheep he considers to be the singlemost ecologically destructive animal in

British history, continuing to preventthe recovery of our woodlands and ourbiodiversity. As a nation we favour theploughed field or the well-trimmedlawn over the wild wood or boggywetland. Monbiot argues that our


beautiful rural lands are nowecologically degraded. What we need isa shift in core conservation ideals, awayfrom the managed lands of grazing, toland that is left to run its own course.This is wild, self-willed land.

Many books that try to tackle thetopic of rewilding fall short, failing tocritically engage some of the historicproblems associated with the forceddispossession that is caused by creatingmany rewilded areas. Feral brings inmany varied and in depth examples tostress that rewilding, although a forcefor good, must not occur through

coercion or imposition. Many books onthe subject often underestimate thepolitical and subtle aspects ofconservation. While rewilding isidealistic, it must also be pragmatic andwork with communities. This is a linethat the debate on Scottish wolfreintroduction straddles and a topicMonbiot discusses in the chapter ‘BringBack the Wolf.’

My one criticism would be Monbiot’sfailure to investigate any rewilding in thecontext of urban environments. Whileglobal populations swell and the trend ofurbanisation continues, it is not only of

interest, but importance, that thenature of cities and towns beconsidered too. Feral and its readerswould benefit from ecologicalknowledge of the everyday urbanspaces which most of us call home.

In conclusion, Feral is one of themost approachable, informative andengaging books I have read onrewilding. For anyone interested in thesubject, and interested in conservationin general, Monbiot’s Feral is anexcellent choice.

Johnny Palmer

Making Tracks

FERAL – Searching for enchantment on the frontiers of rewilding�

LITTLE EVIE IN THE WILD WOODJackie Morris, illustrated by Catherine Hyde, HB, 40pp, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, www.franceslincoln.com

RRP £12.99, ISBN: 978-1-84780-371-9

THERE ARE no page numbers in thisinnovative children’s book, nothingnumbered or structured from the realworld to intrude or mar the dreamlikenatural landscape. The inspiration forthe story itself may come from RedRiding Hood but it deviates as far fromthat story’s intent as Evie does when shetakes the darker pathway. There isindeed a wolf but the wolf is female, avery different role model from thestalker of children with big teeth andeyes that terrorises the old Grimm tale.

The ethereal quality of the story –which has at its heart the classic childlost in a forest scenario – is furtherhelped by the dark impressionisticdrawings that show us a beautiful world.You can almost smell the damp leavesunderfoot, or hear the haunting hoot ofthe owl. The illustrations have a greatsense of movement and things are half-seen – with all the magical and mysticalpower that suggests.

What is interesting about world-building here is the way that nature, in asuperb twist of pathetic fallacy, unites tohelp a vulnerable human being, ratherthan present a threat to her. There isplenty of wildlife in the wood and youget a strong sense that it is to be

respected, that is will always bethere despite the odd humanintervention. Yes, Evie does meetthe wolf and the wolf indeed isinitially scary. It stands beforethe little child ‘filling the worldwith wildness.’ But Evie offersthe creature food – ‘seven tartswith bright jam’ and from thatpoint, a friendship is instantlyformed. The rich poetic prose isexquisitely gentle throughout‘Little Evie stroked the wolf’svelvet ears, leant against herside, listened to her breathing.’

The wolf is a protector andultimately Evie’s saviour,transporting her from the WildWood to rejoin her own humanfamily. I became quite emotional readingthis book – it has a rare nurturingquality, a generosity of spirit and themost wonderfully positive portrayal ofthe wolf I have seen for a very long time.How better to get children to sleep thanto reassure them that the ‘wild’ world isa friend and that the wolf may be big,but it is not bad? Highly recommended.

Julia Bohanna

Jackie Morris is an artist and a writer.Her latest book is ‘Song of the GoldenHare.’ www.jackiemorris.co.uk

Catherine Hyde is a widely exhibitedartist and has also written two previouspicture books, The Firebird and ThePrincess’s Blanket.www.catherinehyde.co.uk

wolves in the media and the arts, brought to you by Julia Bohanna


The pale moon winks through wispyclouds. Our car trundles down a countryroad beyond my control. The one incontrol here is Alice, who looks at me asI look at her. Is this love? No. This ispurgatory; at least that’s what severalguardians have beaten into me overthe years.

After a short while we lumber to astop where an uninvited and eerierapture of waves drag themselvesdistantly into our ears like – myupbringing. I don’t know why Alicebrought us here but I know what she hasbrought me to, and that is a state ofnumbness. Here sits the woman I ammeant to love, the woman that sneaksout most nights thinking I was bornyesterday; the woman who has clearlyleft a spare set of clothes on the backseat. I draw a harsh intake of air andremember what my mother had oncetold me about this place,

“Children playing on a beach. Childrengrowing on a beach. Children missing ona beach.” the words crackle from mymouth as I try to keep myself together. Ifshe truly is cheating on me, then she haspurposefully brought me to the worstplace imaginable in order to break itto me.

“What?” She asks; her eyebrows riseas she lessens her grip on the wheel. Istruggle to contain myself; lost in thoselush blue eyes of hers. The very sameopals that must have ensnared countlessaffairs...

“It’s something my mother used to tellme, about my father…”

“…And the men who went missingnine years ago?” She asks with mockinginterest. Well, at least I assume she ismocking.

“Right,” I answer boldly, “Why are wehere?” Alice sits back, unsure evenherself. But she smiles.

“We’re here for the moon.” Furtherwords wane to spill from behind thoserouge lips as waves crash against theshore below. My temper flares; amomentary flicker of absolute rage but Iturn away. I get out of the car and takein the sight of my father and hiscountless friends’ demise. I leave the

door open for her to follow but in mywake leave behind a fiery hue in theform of the interior light. “I think I needto see someone.” Alice lets out frominside the orange glare. I take this in,silently. And then – after a moment orthree – lean inwards, pressing her formore information. “I, I used to dream ofredemption when I was younger… but Istill find it hard to stand the sight ofmost boys.” I don’t understand but I lether continue. “After what they haddone… it wasn’t a sad thing that thosekids didn’t live past fifteen…”

“What are you?” I breathe. “If you’retalking about my Dad, he died in histhirties.”

I wait for Alice’s answer but her facescrunches up and she falls forward inmisery. “Not internally,” she sniffles. “Ihave been doing this for too long…” shewhimpers, and after a few momentsgradually climbs out of her seat andcrawls towards me. I push away anddespite the tears she escapes thevehicle, getting down on her hands andknees. With one lone ear she peculiarlypresses her head against the ground andlistens intently for any sounds. Or so Ithink, but after a long, drawn out breathshe finally lifts her head; her featureschanged.

The woman who stares at me is notAlice. In all honesty, I’m not sure she isa woman. She has become a thing, abeast. Her incisors have grown so longthey are now jutting out from hermouth and she screams out in garglingpain, “I did it – your father, and theothers. It was me. It was always me.”Her opal eyes grow frightening as hergaze locks onto mine. I am trappedwithin her glare until her shrillscreaming begins again. She keels overand in one sharp, blurring movementher clothes tear as her muscles pulseand her bones break. Remarkably,Alice’s nose begins to elongate andwith a murmur she holds her nowdisfigured hand to her face. Her nailsmerge with her black varnish andcrunch into paws. Long hairs sproutand thread together like fur, bristlingin the sea’s wind.

I am lost for words. My legs give way.I fall down backwards; hard on my handsas a fully-fledged white wolf replacesAlice and licks its lips at the sight of me.Thoughts break into my mind throughthe haze of shock like sizzling fireworks.They mostly comprise of how much Ihate this place. I don’t care too muchthat it had taken my estranged fatherbut now it has taken Alice, the girl I love– despite her absent nights and thenewfound notion that she may well havebeen the person who had taken myfather all those years ago.

Then I return to my senses. A wolf isstanding before me; a shark of the land.I flinch, expecting a striking blow fromthe glossy giant’s paw or even the snapof its jaw. But instead, I am met with alow growl. A whimpering murmur as thewolf collapses calmly and neatly beforeme, resting its head on my outstretchedlegs. My sight lingers on the creature’sawning eyes. Entranced, I wonder abouther perception of me; we’ve both mademistakes and I accept who she is. Sheis human.

“Underneath this skin there’s a human.Buried deep within there’s a human. Anddespite everything I’m still human. But Ithink I’m dying here.” – Elena Tonra

Sam Garrett is a student of WinchesterUniversity and the winner of a recentshort story competition run by theuniversity and the UK Wolf ConservationTrust.

Alice“An experimental short story inspired byrandomly suggested music” – Sam Garrett

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The Wolf Joseph Smith, Hardback, 160pp, Jonathan Cape, ISBN 978-0224085199

THIS IS an extraordinary book, and one,I have to say, that I was not at all sure Iwas going to like. I’m not sure that“like” is the right word. It’s an amazinglypowerful book. It left me feeling quiteodd, like I had been in a dream, but inmy humble opinion it is definitely worthreading. It is an intriguing experience.

It is the tale of a young lone wolf inwinter. Confident and bold, he is indanger of starving like so many younganimals. Written in the words, or shouldI say the thoughts, of the wolf himself, itstarts out with a prolonged hunt. Thiswolf is the essence of a predator and hisphilosophy of life and death are aconstant theme running through thebook. Not perhaps for the squeamish,there is realism in the way that the huntunfolds, inspiration perhaps drawn fromthe author having watcheddocumentaries of solitary wolves huntingin the wild. Eventually, the wolf comesacross human habitation and all thatentails, but it is his relationship withanother canid that is the crux of the book.

I do not want to give anything away here,but suffice it to say that at this point theauthor dips into a more fantastical stylewhich in some ways reminds me of someof the fantasy books written at the turn ofthe 20th century. Although we might feelthat this wolf is tough enough to survive,as the tale unfolds and reveals thestrange and silent magic of the subarcticwinter and its inhabitants, things becomeincreasingly uncertain.

Nobody should start to read this bookthinking that it is a realistic account ofhow wolves see their world. Rather, it is adark fantasy that never descends intosentimentality. I think that the word“stark” would describe it. But in no wayshould that put the reader off.

Sue HullDirector, UKWCT

Wolf

The wolf’s howl consists of a single notewith up to twelve related harmonics; it rises in sharp crescendo then breaks off abruptly.

You can hear it now, long and low, alone,

as the moon clears

and the great unknown spreads out in silvered folds,

the frozen lake a star-sprinkled glow,

stalagmite trees pointing north like Inuit whalebone spears,

where the shadows seem to move with something faint –

but there,

through the powder snow –

that percussion of panting

with padded feet.

~ Will Kemp

This poem was previously published in a Cinnamon PressAnthology (2010).

Will Kemp studied at Cambridge and UEA before working asan environmental planner in Canada, Holland and NewZealand. He won the Cinnamon Poetry Award in 2012 andEnvoi International Poetry Competition in 2010. His firstcollection, Nocturnes, was published by Cinnamon Press. Hissecond collection, Lowland, is also published by Cinnamon.www.wkemp.com

Photo: Vladimir Bologov

(Cover image used by permission of theRandom House Group Limited)


wolves of the world

Conservation groups are in an uproar overMontana’s decision to issue over 6,000 permits tohunt the last 625 remaining wolves in the state.In addition to 6,000 permits, the state loosenedregulations governing the hunting of the animals.

625 WOLVES LEFT IN MONTANA… 6,000 HUNTING PERMITS ISSUED

THIS YEAR, the fee for a licence to kill awolf in the state of Montana wasdropped to only $19. Each hunter isallowed to kill up to five wolves, and theperiod in which they are hunted hasbeen extended.

At the beginning of this year, therewere only 625 wolves in Montana, aslight drop from the year before. If only2.1% of hunters issued a permit this yearreach their bag limit, the wolf willdisappear from Montana altogether. Aswolves are pack animals, a single hunterwill likely be able to kill several wolves ina single trip.

In the 1990s,wolves inMontana werehunted to thepoint thatCanadian wolveshad to bebrought in to supplement the numbers.State officials have decided to drivedown the number of wolves in the state,though have not set a clear plan on thenumber where they would like thepopulation’s numbers.

In stark contrast, neighbouringWyoming, which boasts roughly three

times the number of wolves as Montanain a much smaller state, has cut thenumber of wolves that may be killedbefore hunting is ceased in half to helpmake certain the population is protectedfrom over-hunting.

digitaljournal.com/article/359034

THE RETURN of wolves to YellowstoneNational Park may be leading to animprovement in the diet of grizzlybears, a study suggests.

When wolves were eradicated fromYellowstone in the early 20th Century,the elk population boomed,devastating berry-shrubs relied uponby bears. A team from Oregon andWashington links the reintroduction ofpredatory wolves with a fall in over-browsing by elk. There is a consequentrecovery in the availability of late-

summer berries, thefavoured pre-hibernation food ofthe grizzly bear. Thestudy indicates thatthe number of berriesmeasured in beardroppings hasdoubled as elknumbers havedecreased, followingthe wolves’ return inthe 1990s.

William Ripple, leadauthor, commented:

“Wild fruit is typically an important partof grizzly bear diet, especially in latesummer when they are trying to gainweight as rapidly as possible beforewinter hibernation.”

However, the reduction in elk maynot be all good news. Yellowstone’snorthern elk population hit 19,000 in1988, but last winter the herd wasestimated to number just 3,900animals. Elk calves are an importantfood source for grizzly bears in thespring and Dr Arthur Middleton of Yale

University suggests that the decline inelk may pose a threat to the grizzlybear rather than a benefit, since theirother spring food source, cutthroattrout, is also in decline.

“This is an interesting paper and it isimportant that we understand theconsequences of wolf recovery,” DrMiddleton added. “But wolf re-introduction is not the only change thathas occurred in recent years inYellowstone. Bears eat elk and bearnumbers have increased three or fourtimes during this period.”

In a further observation DrMiddleton said, “Bears and wolvestogether reduce elk numbers, and itmay be that as elk numbers havedeclined some bears have sought outalternative foods such as berries,separate from any benefits of shrub re-growth. The latest results demonstratethat acknowledging the many inter-relationships between species andenvironments in these systems is key tounderstanding that complexity.”

tiny.cc/qlur5w

Yellowstone wolves spur recovery of bears’ berries


As wolves return to the French Alps, it threatens a way of life

High in the thick grass meadowsof the Southern French Alps, amodern parable of man and

nature, sheep and wolf, is being writtenin a great quantity of blood.

With official encouragement, herdersand farmers had hunted the gray wolf toextinction in France by the 1930s. Withina half-century, the animal had beenmade a protected species throughoutEurope; the first wolves re-entered

French territoryfrom Italy in 1992, asmall and delicatepopulation at theoutset. Much to thethrill ofconservationists andEuropean officials,they have thrived.

But to theexasperation of thisregion’s shepherds,who for generationshave scaled thesehills with the

seasons, the species’ success has beendue in no small part to the ample, easypickings. Wolves have been slaughteringvast numbers of sheep here — at least20,000 in just the past five years,according to an official count. Thegovernment has spent tens of millions ofeuros in efforts to staunch the attacks,but to little avail, and shepherdsincreasingly call the wolf an existentialthreat.

“They’re killing shepherding as I knowit,” said Bernard Bruno, 47, who has lostat least a thousand sheep in recentyears.

“The wolf’s return may symboliseenvironmental progress to some,” saidMr Bruno, a stout, blue-eyed man whohas spent 25 summers alone here withhis flock and a walking stick. But to him,it has also imperiled “one of the lastnatural, ecological kinds of livestockfarming.”

French authorities spend millions eachyear to reimburse herders for lostanimals and to subsidise the hulkingGreat Pyrenees guard dogs that now padalongside many flocks. Despite theprotestations of conservation groups,the government has also organised theshootings — “samplings,” in officialparlance — of a handful of wolves.Nothing seems to have worked, though:sheep and goat losses doubled in thepast five years to nearly 6,000 in 2012.

tiny.cc/duor5w

Wildlife specialists andbiologists in Wisconsin andMichigan have been howling

for wolves ever since the canid made itsreturn to those states in the late 1970sand 80s, respectively. But Brian Roell,wolf specialist with Michigan’sDepartment of Natural Resources, saysthat in recent years he’s been gettingmany more calls and requests fromindividuals who want to hear wolveshowling, find their tracks and, hopefullyeven glimpse the elusive animals.

“The non-consumptive uses for wolvesare growing,” Roell says. As it happens,this November will mark the first wolfhunting season in Michigan since theanimal was removed from theEndangered Species List (Wisconsin’sfirst wolf hunt was last fall). Roell doesnot, however, think the spike in interestin wolf tourism (for lack of a better term)is correlated with the upcoming hunt. Hejust thinks wolves are increasingly

associated withthe UpperPenisula (U.P.)and they are onthe minds ofmore travellersto the region.

“I’m gettingmore phonecalls, emails andfolks stopping by, saying things like ‘I’dlike to see wolf tracks.’ So I say sure. Iask where they’ll be camping and I try tonarrow it down. If I have knowledge of anearby pack or what roads they shoulduse, I share that. I am the keeper of mostof the wolf info so I have pretty goodknowledge of the whole U.P.” says Roell.

But for all those wanting to get closerto wolves, there are plenty who wishthey would disappear. “People just don’tunderstand wolves,” says Roell, referringto the fear that many have of theanimals. Through his experiences

trapping, collaring and studying them, hesays wolves exhibit fear of humans, notaggression. “The day a wolf bitessomeone in Michigan or Wisconsin is theday I hand in my resignation,” he told usjournalists back in August.

tiny.cc/sjpr5w

Why not come and listen to wolves howlat the Trust on one of our regular HowlNights? See page 35 or visitwww.ukwolf.org for details.

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WOLF TOURISM:So hot right now


Nancy Gloman, Vice President ofField Conservation for Defenders ofWildlife, reports on the matter:

“This is a true tragedy. The Mexicangray wolf population cannot afford theloss of another individual, let alone abreeding female with pups. With anextremely small population of 75individuals and only two breeding pairsamong them, this wolf and her pupswere another critical step towards thepromise of recovery. We had highhopes for the release of F1108 and hermate in May, but after the male wasquickly recaptured and with this latest

news of the female’s killing, there havebeen zero successful releases in years.

“If the Mexican gray wolf is to haveany chance at survival, the Fish andWildlife Service must ramp up recoveryefforts with a comprehensive plan thatincludes the release of many morewolves into the wild, and affords thosethat are released with protection outsideof arbitrary lines on a map. Withoutbeing allowed to disperse, the wolvescannot establish the numbers and newpopulations necessary to win the fightagainst extinction.

“These wolves are a critical andiconic part of the Western landscape,and for them to remain as such, youneed many more wolves across abroader area. If any good can comefrom this news, let it be a call to actionfor the Fish and Wildlife Service – givethe Mexican gray wolf a real chance forrecovery by releasing more breedingpairs and allowing them broader accessto additional land.”

tiny.cc/a6sr5w

WOLF PUPS A GOOD SIGN FOR WOLVES ON ISLE ROYALETHE WOLVES of Michigan’s Isle RoyaleNational Park have not been doingwell, but there is some unexpectedgood news.

Earlier this year, researchers fromMichigan Technological University whostudy the wolves reported there werejust eight wolves left - and theyreported they were unable to find anyevidence of pups born to those wolves.But now, that has changed. MichiganTech researcher Rolf Peterson heardtwo or three wolf pups in July.

“The pups born this year mean thatthe wolves have not completely lost all

genetic viability, but it doesn’t meanthey’re about to recover, and it doesn’tmean that they have somehowescaped from genetic problems,” hesays.

The National Park Service is in theprocess of figuring out what to doabout the island’s wolves. ParkSuperintendent Phyllis Green says thepups’ birth might buy the NPS a littlemore time to make that decision, butof course it’s something that will bediscussed thoroughly.

tiny.cc/rjgyzw

FIRST WOLF IN HOLLANDFOR 140 YEARS

IN JULY, the body of a female wolf wasfound by the roadside near the tinyvillage of Luttelgeest in NorthernHolland. Scientists have dismissedallegations that the body was dumped asa joke and claim that the first wolf foundin the Netherlands in over 140 yearswalked there freely from EasternEurope. The last sighting of a wolf in theNetherlands was in 1869, but this was inthe southeast of the country nearGermany.

The Dutch Wildlife Health Centre(DWHC), in a statement after a pressconference, disclosed that “the wolf diedfrom a heavy blow to the head,apparently from being hit by a car.”

In a joint statement with NaturalisBiodiversity Centre, the Alterra ResearchInstitute and Wolven In Nederland(Wolves in the Netherlands), DWHC hasrevealed that the wolf was in goodhealth, around one and a half years oldand had just eaten some young beaver.The animal, according to Naturalis

IN THE wake of a new proposed rule from the Fish andWildlife Service (FWS) that would continue to hinderMexican grey wolf recovery (the subspecies wouldremain listed, but with limited opportunity for necessarydispersal essential to recovery), Defenders of Wildlifereceived news that another of the world’s mostendangered wolves was shot and killed. The incident isunder investigation, but the victim, alpha female 1108(F1108), had been mothering a den of young pups so herpups are also assumed to be dead.

Photo: Mexican Grey Wolf by Deb Della Piana

Biodiversity Centre and the AlterraResearch Institute, apparently originallycame from “Eastern Europe, near theRussian border.”

Wolven In Nederland and AlterraResearch Institute also noted that thewolf had entered the Netherlands “bynatural means” and lived here for sometime, before being run over. They alsoobserved that: ‘In any case the bodyshowed no signs of having been

transported to the Netherlands. Therewere no signs it had been frozen.Furthermore there were no signs of wearon the fur, paws or claws that wouldsuggest captivity.’

Wolf droppings have also been foundin the area where the animal was found,although they did not necessarily comefrom the dead wolf.

tiny.cc/a9tr5w

Tragedy strikes Mexican greywolves again

30 | UKWCT WOLF PRINT30 | UKWCT WOLF PRINT

Wolves in NepalHistorically, Nepal has alwaysprovided refuge to the greywolf (Canis lupus). However,six to seven years ago, geneticresearch revealed that thewolves found in the higherHimalayas of India weregenetically different to thegrey wolf and the Tibetan wolf(sub-species of the grey wolf).This new species was namedas the Himalayan wolf Canishimalayensis. In 2012, otherresearch in Nepal’s Shey-Phoksundo National Parkclaimed that the wolf speciesfound in the area is indeed theHimalayan wolf. The continuityof probable habitat and preypopulation across India andNepal also makes this a fairpossibility but IUCN’s Wolfspecialist group is yet torecognise these findings.

Methods of data collectionData has been collected overfive years (2009-2013). Theprimary method of collectingdata was camera trapping,which was done in Makalu-Barun National Park,Annapurna Conservation Areaand the districts of Chitwanand Humla district. However,wolf was not the targetspecies during these attemptsat camera capture, except inthe Annapurna ConservationArea. In addition toconsultation with experts anda literature review, secondaryinformation was also collectedfrom social networking sites –where queries were raisedabout the species’undocumented locationrecords. Wildlife traders andfocus groups were alsointerviewed, to explore theissues related to thedistribution of the species andthreats to its survival.

Distribution of the wolf

Whichever species it may be, Nepal’s National Red List has reported that the wolfinhabits the protected areas of Annapurna Conservation Area, Shey-PhoksundoNational Park, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area and Manaslu Conservation Area.Since most of the Himalayan region bordering Tibet has not been explored, thereis a possibility that the wolf population in these areas is continuous from west toeast. However, their present distribution is believed to be highly restricted.

Furthermore we also conducted camera trapping in different areas i.e. Makalu-Barun National Park (2009 and 2010), Annapurna Conservation Area (2011 and2012), Chitwan (2012) and Humla district (2013). The duration of the trap nightsfor the above studies was 1184, 405, 312 and 199 nights respectively. Out ofthese study sites we were able to detect wolf presence only in the UpperAnnapurna Conservation Area (Mustang) and the Humla District. These are quitestriking findings, since the areas without wolf detection had an altitudinal range ofbelow 3500 meters. There have been reports of wolves in Khaptad National Park,which lies in the western part of Nepal (Pers. Comm. Babu Ram Bhattarai)

SN Wolf recorded location in Nepal Means of verification1 Annapurna Conservation Area Video footage2 Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Personal observation by Rishi Baral3 Khaptad National Park Personal communication with Baburam

Bhattarai4 Manaslu Conservation Area Photographs provided by Angphuri

Sherpa: IUCN’s national red list series5 Humla District Pelt, direct observation, camera trap6 She Phoksundo National Park

(Dolpa district)Personal observation by SamundraAmbuhang Subba

7 Kanchanjunga Conservation Area IUCN’s National Red List series: personalobservation by Kamal Thapa

8 Bajhang District Information from wildlife traders fromHumla district

9 She Phoksundo National Park(Mugu district)

Information from wildlife traders fromHumla district

Local people sharing an intense conversationabout wolf conflict in the Himalayas

Raju Acharya and Yadav GhimireyFriend of Nature (FON Nepal), www.fonnepal.org, facebook.com/groups/fonnepal/

and threats to its survival in NepalProject update: Distribution of the wolf


Nepal’s diverse and extensive flora and faunaNepal not only has eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, but it also hasdiverse flora and fauna. It supports 651 species of butterflies (4.3%), 185species of freshwater fish (2.2 %), 43 species of amphibians (1.1%), 100species of reptiles (1.5%), 872 species of birds (8.5%) and 207 species ofmammals (4.8%) mammals which is disproportionately large considering itsshares of the global land which is a mere 0.1%. Nepal has already provedsuccessful in implementing the participatory wildlife conservation, communityforest, and landscape level conservation program. Nevertheless, limitedresearch, poaching and trade of wildlife, and habitat destruction are haltingthe conservation journey of many wildlife species including the wolf. Unliketigers, one-horned rhinos and Asiatic elephants wolves do not attract muchattention from either the government or non-governmental sector.


ThreatsMajor threats to the survival ofthe wolf include illegal huntingand trade, retaliatory killingsbecause of livestock depredationand reduction in prey numbers.The human-wolf conflict is veryhigh in most parts of its range,suggesting that this particularthreat alone is sufficient to wipethis species from its habitat insome areas. The conflict situationin Humla is quite high, which isalso the case in Dolpa andMustang. Local beliefs also triggernegative actions towards aparticular species, such as thekilling of wolves during the monthof Baisakh (13 April – 15 May).Approximately 20 wolves werekilled in the Dolpa district in 2010during that month. Furthermore,four wolves were also killed in theHumla district in 2012. Wolf partsare widely used for preparingtraditional medicines, which isone of the most importantreasons for its decline in Nepal.Additionally, they are widelytraded to China, because of thehigh value of wolfbody parts on themarket. This isfurther proved bythe five wolf pittraps recorded byjust one villagedevelopmentcommittee in theHumla district.

Detailed studyThere have been only a couple ofstudies on the status of the wolf inNepal. The up-to-date information onthe species in the country is mostlyanecdotal. The first step to anyconservation initiatives would be up-to-date information on the exactissue. For example, IUCN’s NationalRed List series of Nepal has estimateda national population of about 30 to50 wolves in the country. However, 10to 20 must be living in the Humla

district alone at present, as per ourobservation. Detailed study on thespecies would initially bring extremelyvaluable information that could laterbe used to start effective and efficientconservation initiatives. Detailedstudy should also includecomprehensive documentation of thethreats to the species as well aslivestock depredation.

Conservation activitiesThe wolf is an apex predator in any

ecosystem, with its ownimportance. However,people living in theareas populated bywolves kill theseanimals in retaliationfor livestockdepredation or insearch of some financialreward. It is importantthat the benefits of wolfconservation should beexplained to localpeople with the help ofposters, pamphlets,booklets, radio orthrough the mediums ofskits and plays. A strictly

monitored compensation schemeshould be applied wherever theanimal is extremely endangered.

Policy and government officialenhancementThe first step in conserving a speciesis the formation of appropriatepolicies that are wildlife-friendly. Thiswill, in turn, depend upon thewillpower of the government. Thesetypes of policies will prepare a soundbasis on which government officials

Conservation Recommendations

Right: Wolf parts readyfor trade to ChinaBelow: Wolf pit trap

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32 | UKWCT WOLF PRINT32 | UKWCT WOLF PRINT

implement and enforce the guidelinesprovided by those policies. Forexample, the wolf is currently on thelist of protected mammals in Nepal.Although this is encouraging, policiesthat deter poaching and areimplemented strictly would help thewolf continue its role of naturalpredator in the area.

Workshop with monksOur experience in Humla says that thelocal religious/spiritual leaders havean important role to play in theconservation of wildlife in that area.In Humla snow leopards and wolveshave been hunted openly for many

years. However, in the last five yearsmany Buddhist monks have visitedthe area in response to villagers’request to stop landslides. Villagerswere then told that the hunting ofwildlife was triggering the landslides,after which the use of stone-madetraps has decreased. Conservationinitiatives focusing on workingtogether with religious institutions inthese areas could be hugelybeneficial.

Raju Acharya and Yadav GhimireyFriend of Nature (FON Nepal)

www.fonnepal.orgfacebook.com/groups/fonnepal/

AcknowledgementsWe would like to acknowledge the financial support of the UK WolfConservation Trust to conduct research in this area, as well as to ourpartner Mohammad bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (Humla district)Snow Leopard Project. We are also grateful to the Friends of Nature fortheir logistic and other support in carrying out the research and theAnnapurna Conservation Area Project for providing permission and otherfield support. Thank you also, for their support during the enture studyperiod to: Mr. Bidhan Adhikary, Mr. Pasang Lama, Mr. Phunjo Lama, MrMangal Lama, Miss Geraldine Werhan, Mr. Palzor Lama, Mr. ChhakkaBahadur Lama, Mr. Sonam Lama, Mr. Kunjo Chhiri Lama, Mr. Lal PrasadGurung, Mr. Raj Kumar Gurung, Mr. Niranjan Dhungana. Mr. Yam BahadurGurung, Mr. Pranaya Bir Jung Rana, Ram Lama, Rinzin Phunjok Lama andPrem Raj Neupane. Also the local people of Mustang, Sankhuwasabha,Chitwan, Humla were incredible and made our stay in their respectiveareas enjoyable. Finally, to anyone who provided important information tous during our stay.

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Wolfy gifts and souvenirs

T–SHIRT£12.00A black T-shirt with a wolfy twist on thepopular slogan. What could be more fittingfor a wolf lover? Show everyone how you‘Keep Calm’ with this T-shirt! Sizes: S (chest95cm), M (100cm), L (108cm), XL (116cm),XXL (126cm)

UKWCT WRISTBAND £2.00Slightly stretchy,marbledwristband.Embossedwith ‘UKWOLFCONSERVATIONTRUST,’ two paw prints and our websiteaddress. 12mm width x 205mmcircumference approx.Available in brown or grey.

UKWCTThinsulate®

BEANIE£11.60Keep warm

and cosythiswinter

with ournavy blue ribbed

beanie embroidered with theWolf Trust Logo on the rim of hat. Linedwith Thinsulate® insulation that traps andholds body heat. One size.

WOLF TOYKEYRING £3.75This must be oneof the cutestkeyrings ever!

The wolf sits 9cmhigh. Age 3+


UKWCT POCKET PALS £4.00 eachPocket-sized notepads in a hard cover withmagnetic closure.UKWCT logo.Approx 75perforated sheetsprinted with a tint ofthe cover image.Available asHandsome Wolf (left)or Wolf Holler.Size 10cm x 7.5cm.

UKWCT 2014 WALLCALENDAR £8.50● 13 stunning pictures of the

Trust’s ten wolves● Includes Massak, Sikko and

Pukak – the first Arcticwolves in the UK

● Size A4 openingto A3

● Punched hole forslotting ontopicture hook

● Supplied withmailing envelopefor you to send to afriend or relative

Wolfy gifts and souvenirsUKWCT WOLF-TOPPERPENCIL £1.70This UKWCT souvenir pencil – in achoice of black or silver coating –is topped with a decorativepewter wolf.

UKWCT BARREL-TOP PEN£2.00Our UKWCT souvenir pen withpocket clip top features picturesof our wolves along with ourwebsite address and telephonenumber.

WOLF PENDANTSSmall £31 Medium £37Pendants featuring individualportraits of all ten Trust wolveshand-painted by Wendy Sabineon agate within a silver mount.Choose your favourite whenordering! The pendants varyslightly in style and shape.Small size approx 1.5cm x 2.5cmMedium approx 2.5cm x 3.5cm.The silver-plated chain measures44cm. Supplied gift-boxed.

3D BOOKMARKS £2.25 each3D bookmarks featuring wolves in

snowy scenes. 15.5cm x 6cm.Assorted.

CAR FRESHENER£1.95A UKWCT exclusivefeaturing the Trust’sDuma. The double-sided freshenermeasures approximately 11cm x 6cmand has a delightful bouquet fragrance.

WOLF LUNCH BOX£5.00Pack your lunch in style!A metal lunchbox withclasp and carryinghandle, featuring a wolfrunning painted on oneside with a space foryour name on other, anda wolf’s face on top andbottom. Size 18cm wide x 12.5cm height(excluding handle) x 7.5cm deep.

FLOPPY WOLF HUG’EM £9.75A very soft and cuddly 28cm

(39cm from nose to tail) greyand cream floppy wolf. Plastic

eyes are firmly attached.Age 3+

DRAWSTRING MEDICINE POUCH£9.99Soft leather drawstring pouchfeaturing a suedewolf silhouette tothe front plus:feathers – representingtruth, bead seeds – for thesymbol of life – and insidethe pouch:

a stone – representingstrength,a twig – to drive awayevil spirits,a cloth – for cleansingand sage, for protection.

Pouch size excluding cord: 12cm x 9.5cm. This is not a toy.

ORDERING &DELIVERY

See overleaffor details


THE ETHIOPIAN WOLF – Hope at theEdge of Extinction £32.50Jaymi Heimbuch brings the story of the EthiopianWolf to life in this heartfelt and well researchedaccount of the earth’s rarest canid. Together withstunning images by Rebecca Jackrel & WillBurrard-Lucas this honest account of the perilsfacing the wolves will help readers understandwhat a treasure the Ethiopian wolf is and how wemust work together to save it. 152 pages,hardback, 35.5cm x 28cm.

ORDERING & DELIVERY

To view and order these andour other stationery, clothing,books, gifts and souvenirs,visit our online shop atwww.ukwolf.org or call 0118971 3330.

Please note: all UK orders aresubject to a minimum P&Pcharge of £4.50. For overseasorders, please contact us.

SILVER WOLFPAWPENDANT £47A unique piece ofjewellerycommissioned bythe Trust. The silver (7.78gms) pawprintpendant with 44cm enclosed silver chainis presented in a white organzadrawstring gift bag.Pendant size approx. 2.2cm x 1.2cm.

more wolfy gifts and souvenirs

SUMA COLLECTION® WOLF £5Soft plush toywolf. Surface

washable.Size 15cm(nose to tail).

Age 3+

WOLFHARMONY 3DNOTEBOOK£2.60Spiral bound withplain white paperthe cover featuresa wolf family in asnowy scene.14.5cm x 10.5cm.

‘NIGHTWATCH’ PAINTING BY NUMBERS£5.30A wolf standing in a pine forest under amoonlight sky is the design for you topaint by numbers. Includes painting boardwith brush, 20 acrylic paints, paint organiserand instructions. Size 22cm x 30cm.

GLASS CHOPPING BOARD £10A Tuftop® glass kitchen board featuringa pack of four wolves. Supplied boxed.Size 30cm x 23cm.

CAR STICKER £1 Size 31cm x 10.5cm

WASHBAG £9.99COSMETIC PURSE £4.99These handmade and fully lined and paddedzipped washbags and cosmetic purse featurewolfy fabric. The washbags - available in achoice of brown or blue - have a damp-proof

lining and the cosmetic purse is linedwith a plain, toning fabric.

Washbag size 26cm x 18cm x 7cm.Cosmetic purse size 11.5cm x 9cm x 6cm.


Wolf Keeper Experience Days

Check our website for other dates, full details and to book

10am–4pm, maximum 8 people per day. 2014 dates TBASee behind the scenes at the Wolf Trust and shadow the keeper intasks including cleaning out the wolf enclosures, preparing foodand feeding the wolves. Get involved in our wolf enrichmentprogramme, walk with wolves, meet a wolf, snap up great photoopportunities and receive a souvenir event certificate of your day.

FridayNightis

HowlNight!

28th February and 14th March at 7.00pm

Feel your backbone tingleand your ears vibrate withthe sound. The evening startswith a presentation on wolfcommunication; you will thengo on a tour of the centreand have the opportunity tolet out a howl and see if thewolves respond!£10 per person. Bookingessential. (Don’t forget todress up warmly for anevening under the stars).

Howl ing Chr is tmas

£120 per person. Minimum age 16Booking essential Please bring a packed lunch

PREDATOR DAYS

Our Predator Day is the onlyway in the UK to walk with

wolves in the morning and fly ahawk in the afternoon.

16th March and 21st June, 10am to 4pmThe ultimate experience foranimal and wildlife enthusiasts:Spend a whole day with theworld’s most powerfuland enthralling predators…wolves and raptors.

The morning includes a two-hourwalk with wolves around the Trust inbeautiful Berkshire countryside. There will be ampleopportunities to photograph visitors meeting and interactingwith the wolves, as well as handling and flying the birds ofprey in the afternoon. There will be time to see andphotograph all the wolves at the Trust including the UK’s firstArctic wolves, which look magnificent in their thick whitewinter coats.

Further details at www.ukwolf.org or to book call 0118 971 3330

Forthcoming events at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust

20th December, 3pm to 4.30pm, £10 ppCome and join in with the wolves howling their Christmascarols as they get ready for the big day! You’ll learn abouthow they communicate and why. Help to decorate the wolves’Christmas cake and then watch them eat it. Afterwards therewill be great opportunities to hear all of the wolves howl their

evening chorus and for you to have a go at howling, too!

● Tour the Trust and see our wolves up close● Wolf photography opportunities and howling session● Presentation by an expert on the life of bats in the UK● Walk round the Trust at dusk to see long-eared bats flyingThe Trust is home to many bats, many of which live in nesting boxes on trees

WOLF VIEWING & BAT WALKSaturdays 17th May, 19th July & 20th September• £15 • Booking essential


PhotographyDays

Photograph all ten of the Trust’s wolves, including our amazingArctic trio.

Our photography workshops are held when the wolves are at theirmost charismatic. We start with a brief presentation setting thescene and giving you background information about the wolves andthe Trust. You will then have time to photograph the wolves eitherin their enclosures or – on weekend dates only – out on a walk.

Open to photographers of all abilities andstandards of equipment. Participants mustbe 18 years or older. Full details on thewebsite.

Spaces are limited – so book early. Checkour website for full details, times andavailability.

FROM 8TH JANUARY 2014, Visit Wednesdays give you the opportunity to come and see the Trustwithout pre-booking, unlike ourother events.

You will be able to observeour ten very charismatic wolvesfrom our three Arctics withtheir amazing white coats, toour enigmatic black Canadianwolves – enabling you to learnmore about thesemisunderstood creatures.There will be fantastic photographic viewsof the wolves in their large, natural-lookingenclosures and you’ll have access to theraised photographic platform on site.

If you’re lucky you may even hear themhowl!

We also have a gift shop for you tobrowse for books and souvenirs, picnicareas for warmer days and free parking.

NEW! UKWCT WOLF CENTRE ‘VISIT WEDNESDAYS’Open from 11am to 4pm

Arctic Ambles25th January, 23rd February, 8th March and23rd March, 9am to 11am

Enjoy a walk with our magnificent Arctic Wolvesand the wonderful photographic opportunitiesthey provide.

View all of the Trust’s wolves and spend timegetting to know the handlers who work withthese amazing animals.

Afterwards, there will be time to shop for a wolfysouvenir!

Maximum 8 people. Booking essential.£60 per person, age 18+

Weekends – including Wolf Walk:26th January & 15th March,10am to 4pm: £150pp

Weekdays – without Wolf Walk:4th February, 28th February,10am to 3pm: £80pp

What could be a more romantic gift for an animallover than the chance to walk with wolves?

Spend your special time at the UK WolfConservation Trust in the company of one of themost family-oriented species.

It’s breeding season for the wolves and they arevery loyal and attentive to their mates atthis special time of year for lovers.

£85 for two people.Includes a gift. Booking essential.

Valentine WalkSaturday, 15th February at 10am

Saturday 8th February 2014, 10am to 2pmEver wanted to spend time with an Arctic Wolf? A half day in Berkshire includes:

● A presentation on Arctic wolves● Photographic opportunities● The chance to get up close and personal

with our Arctic wolves in their enclosure● Watch the wolves being fed● Receive a memento of your visit

£150 per person, minimum age 18,booking essential.

Arctic EncounterADMISSION: £8 Adults; £5 Members, children (3-12) & OAPs;Children under 3: FREE. Tickets on the gate only. Sorry: no dogs on site.

Further details at www.ukwolf.org or to book call 0118 971 3330

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