Geology topics
Publications and source records attributed to Lori Schmidt.
The International Wolf Center wolves are famous for providing unique educational opportunities to visitors to Ely and to people around the globe. Less known, are the contributions these wolves make to scientific research. Recently the Center’s Exhibit Pack were subjects of behavioral and acoustic research.
As part of a broader trial of noninvasive methods to research wild wolves ( Canis lupus ) in Minnesota, USA, we explored whether wolves could be remotely monitored using a new, inexpensive, remotely deployable, noninvasive, passive acoustic recording device, the AudioMoth. We tested the efficacy of AudioMoths in detecting wolf howls and factors influencing detection by placing them at set distances from a captive wolf pack and compared those recordings with real‐time, on‐site howling data between 22 May and 17 June 2019. We identified 1,531 vocalizations grouped into 428 vocal events (236 solo howl series and 192 chorus howls). The on‐site AudioMoth correctly recorded 100% of chorus and solo howls that were also documented in real‐time. The remote array detected 49.5% of chorus and 11.9% of solo howls (≥1 unit detected the event). The closest remote AudioMoth (0.54 km, 0.33 mi) detected 37% of choruses and 8.9% of solo howls. Chorus howls (9.4%) were detected at the farthest unit (3.2 km, 2.0 mi). Favorable wind (carrying source howls to the remote units) and calm (no wind) conditions increased detectability and detection distance of chorus howls. Temperature was inversely related to detection. Given the detection distances we observed, AudioMoths are probably useful in studying specific sites during periods when wolves move less frequently (e.g., during late spring and summer at homesites or potentially during winter at kill sites of very large prey). AudioMoths would also be useful in a passive sampling array (e.g., occupancy studies), especially when used in concert with other methods such as camera‐trapping. Additional research should be conducted in areas with different environmental variables (e.g., wind, temperature, habitat, topography) to determine performance under varying conditions and also when fitted with a parabolic dish.
Although Canis lupus L. (Gray Wolf) individuals are sometimes impaled by sticks, we could find no documentation of natural impalement by sticks as a cause of death for wild Wolves. Here we report on a wild Gray Wolf from northeastern Minnesota that died due to stick puncture of its thorax and abdomen.