Wolf Crossing

Report Wolf Crossing, contributed by Valerius Geist.

Another wolf incidence in coastal British Columbia. It took place about a week ago on Anderson Island close to Bella Coola, and involved a man who had disembarked from his kayak on the beech of the island. The wolf came on a run, bit his legs. The man grabbed the wolf by the jaws and was apparently severely bitten. He dragged the wolf to his kayak where he was able to grab a knife and stab the wolf, who then ran away. It was shot later. Apparently, it was a female with worn teeth. The carcass is about to be examined for signs of rabies. It was an unprovoked attack. There are more wolves on the island. I have to add here a significant factor: black-tiled deer are extremely susceptible to wolf predation as we know from experimental releases of wolves on coastal islands in Alaska. In short, a wolf pack arriving on a coastal island will clean out deer and will then starve as there are nor other species of big game, no beavers, no rabbits and few grouse. Wolves experimentally released on Alaskan coastal island switched to killing seals that hauled out on beaches, but that was a short-term reprieve and the skeletons of wolves were found thereafter. Here on Vancouver island wolves may feed on domestic livestock and pets, but there is little of such “prey” to be had, which is why we observed wolves turning to and observing humans.

Moreover, I have been reliably informed that wolves are beginning to cause problems on the West Coast Trail running on the west side of Vancouver Island, and now causing concerns for Parks Canada. They have hired a consultant to look into the matter. Simultaneously I am informed the gray wolf of Vancouver Island is to be considered the “Rain Wolf”. That is, as something very, very special, in order to give it special conservation status! Wolves on Vancouver Island were considered extinct when I was a graduate student in the 1950’s and 60’s. They showed up in the north of the island and swept it, destroying the very abundant black-tailed deer population. Phenotypically wolves from the west coast of North America are smaller than wolves inland on the continent. The origin of Vancouver Island wolves are thus coastal wolves from the mainland.

We hope this can be all verified by DNA work, especially since it is likely that whatever differences there are may be due to introgression of dog genes into wolf populations. Studies of hybridization between wolves and dogs are missing in North America. That such are common in Russia is indicated in the 2007 book By Will N. Graves Wolves in Russia (read the book review). Why should North America be exempt? Politically, hybrids are a cause of concern, as they are not protected by legislation. Since it is likely that wolves have historically sponged up dog genes possibly for as long as dogs have existed, the question what is a “wolf” becomes very interesting indeed! Even northern wolves may incorporate hybrids as I was told reliably. Fortunately, there may now be some research done on this on Vancouver Island. Dr. Susan Crockford, U. of Victoria made a very telling point: “wolf material” in museum collections may have been labeled “wolf” and may be used innocently as “genetic benchmark” material, and may yet be of hybrid origin. She also pointed out, as did Dr. Helen Schwantje, that wolf-dog hybrids are notorious for escaping. It is known that in mtDNA comparisons the haplotypes found in “old dog breeds” are the same as those of wolves. Only the haplotypes of modern dog breed are different and lend themselves to identifying hybrids. Consequently, mere mtDNA analysis will not detect all wolf-dog hybrids. It appears that the only reliable methodology available for detecting hybridization is a morphometric analysis of wolf skulls and skeletons. Here the view of some North American specialists matches those of Finnish colleagues! Conversely, it means that genetic analysis - as of this time - is not a reliable indicator of hybridization and cannot be used to vouch for the genetic purity of the “wolf species”. We are aware of the disputed status of “red wolves” which may be mere wolf-coyote hybrids. Undoubtedly, the hybridization issue, as Dr. Susan Crockford correctly indicated is very much a political issue in North America, especially, if hybridization results in more aggressive wolves posing heightened danger to humans as the Russian literature suggests (Graves 2007).

At this point it may be worth repeating that shooting wolves with inadequate firearms may be hazardous. In short, carrying a handgun for wolf protection may be hazardous to the bearer. Wolves, upon being wounded, may turn and charge the shooter. Secondly, a wolf badly hit may scream and trigger an attack by the whole pack. These concepts are currently based on anecdotal experiences and need much closer investigation. If valid then the only weapon to carry is a rifle powerful enough to kill quickly. Handguns, due to low power and difficulties in being shot accurately, may be more of a liability than protection. Having a knife handy may save one’s life though, as suggested by the most recent attack of a mature wolf on a grown man on Anderson island in BC. Against an attack by a whole pack, even a high-powered rifle is only limited protection as indicated by an unreported incident in northern BC that I was appraised of.