Wolf study uncovers interesting early findings
An interesting report has come out of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula where 57 adult deer and 44 fawns were fitted with tracking devices in 2009 and monitored through August of 2010 to determine mortality and effect on predation to them and their offspring.
Wolves, coyotes, bears and bobcats were the primary predators in the study area. Deer densities ranged from 14.6 to 16.1 per square mile.
There were 11 wolves in two packs that inhabited the area. This area is very similar to areas in northern Wisconsin. During the study, data collected showed that the survival rate of the adult deer was 73 percent while the survival rate for fawns was 37 percent.
Of fawn mortality, 41 deaths could be attributed to predation. Coyotes preyed on 13, bobcat nine, bear two and an eagle took one. Wolves accounted for only two fawn deaths. In the adult deer, coyotes killed six, wolves three and bear took out two. Surprisingly, coyotes appeared to be the No. 1 predator on deer. The study will continue for two more years.
Presently, a similar study is also ongoing in Wisconsin. The data generated should be very interesting!
Some research papers indicated that wolves are also a very intense predator of beaver. In a paper entitles “Food Habits of Wisconsin Timber Wolves” by Brett A. Mandernack, published in the spring of 1983, 16.8 percent of the wolves diet was beaver compared to 55.42 percent deer. Scat was analyzed for the dietary content. Similar studies in Canada reported an even higher level of diet made up of beaver. Off the cuff numbers presented indicate that 700 wolves would eliminate 7,000 beaver per year.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on their website also now has posted maps delineating where in the state dogs have been attacked and killed and where livestock has been threatened and depredated. Wolf ranges are also indicated and kill sites marked.
Amazingly, central Dunn County has a wolf pack with three verified cases of livestock depredation documented. Check out the site at http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/mammals/wolf/wolf_map.htm#map for more information.