Mark-R
12-22-2019, 04:32 PM
So we've all heard the argument that killing an alpha wolf will make things worse, generating more wolves because the alpha restricts the breeding of other wolves in the pack.
After doing some research, this is what I've found:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cuh-FgXWAAE5O1-.jpg:large
Here's Dr. L. David Mech, wolf expert, in his own words, even admitting he is partially blame for this outdated way of thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU
And here's his paper for those who like details.
“ The paper is considered by many to be a turning point in understanding the structure of wolf packs.”
https://www.wolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/267alphastatus_english.pdf (https://www.wolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/267alphastatus_english.pdf)
So given the notion that a pack is basically a family, is it realistic that the father/mother can control the breeding of his/her offspring?
If so by what mechanism? How do you stop a canine in heat?
I'd assume that at maturity, a wolf will eventually leave the family pack to start his own.
I couldn't find any hard data that supported the idea of the "alpha restricting breeding".
All I found was data that showed disrupted packs might target domestic animals slightly more the following year, probably due to loss of hunting proficiency.
Bottom line, should we get off the couch and do some predator control to help out the ungulates this winter?
Or does killing a single wolf make things worse?
After doing some research, this is what I've found:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cuh-FgXWAAE5O1-.jpg:large
Here's Dr. L. David Mech, wolf expert, in his own words, even admitting he is partially blame for this outdated way of thinking.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtFgdwTsbU
And here's his paper for those who like details.
“ The paper is considered by many to be a turning point in understanding the structure of wolf packs.”
https://www.wolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/267alphastatus_english.pdf (https://www.wolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/267alphastatus_english.pdf)
So given the notion that a pack is basically a family, is it realistic that the father/mother can control the breeding of his/her offspring?
If so by what mechanism? How do you stop a canine in heat?
I'd assume that at maturity, a wolf will eventually leave the family pack to start his own.
I couldn't find any hard data that supported the idea of the "alpha restricting breeding".
All I found was data that showed disrupted packs might target domestic animals slightly more the following year, probably due to loss of hunting proficiency.
Bottom line, should we get off the couch and do some predator control to help out the ungulates this winter?
Or does killing a single wolf make things worse?