Wolves
Wolves primarily den in the foothills and mountains south
of the coastal plain in the refuge. Wolverines are infrequently observed
but travel in all types of arctic terrain, and females may use snowdrifts
along small tundra streams for dens. During spring, wolves roam out to the
coastal tundra where they prey on newborn caribou. Population declines or
changes in distribution of wolves are results PREDICTED from the increased
mortality, decreased prey, harrassment, and disturbance in denning areas
caused by oil development. The cumulative effects of displacement, avoidance,
and reduced food resourses could result in long-term changes in wolverine
distribution.
(extracted from WWF's paper titled "Protection of the Artic National Wildlife
Refuge: Key to Managing one of the World's Most Biologically Valuable Ecoregions,
the Arctic Coastal Tundra")
The following article are directly quoted from the official
website of ANWR:
http://www.r7.fws.gov/nwr/arctic/wolf.html
"Wolves have long been a lightning rod for controversy. They
evoke passionate feelings in many of us. Some people love them, a few fear
them, others prefer that they be shot. On the Arctic Refuge, however, these
differences are seldom voiced. Why? The wolf is wild, beautiful, and inspiring.
So is the Refuge. The two belong together. People know it and expect it.
Cousin to the dog, the gray wolf is a highly social animal,
preferring to live in packs. The pack, dominated by a male/female pair,
may include their pups of the year, wolves born the previous year, and other
adults.
Gray wolves may be shades of gray, brown, black, or white.
Wolves of all these colors roam the Refuge. Some five packs totalling 25
to 30 animals live on the Refuge's north slope east of the Canning River.
The wolves are found primarily in the mountains and foothills along major
rivers.
The makeup of wolf packs on the Refuge's north slope varies.
In summer, many wolves hunt alone or in pairs. Some are "drifters." Others
may switch packs or move to new areas, perhaps following the caribou migration.
In winter the packs stay together more to hunt.
Gray wolves mate in late February and March. The pairs then
move to maternity dens near rivers in the foothills and mountains. About
four to seven pups are born in late May or early June. The pups are weaned
during the summer, and the dens are abandoned in July or August. By early
winter, the pups can travel and hunt with the adult wolves.
Although to date, no dens have been found on the Refuge coastal
plain, wolves make frequent trips there from May to July when the Porcupine
caribou herd is present. After the caribou leave the coastal plain, the
wolves stay in the mountains and foothills hunting caribou, along with Dall
sheep and moose. Wolves, however, are opportunistic feeders. They will
catch small rodents, birds, and ground squirrels if they can.
Natural relationships between predator and prey still prevail
on the Arctic Refuge. Here the wolf's connection to the caribou and the
land continues as it has for centuries. Untamed and free, the wolf is a
symbol for the Refuge - a truly remarkable place."
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