Alaska Peninsula wolves dine on an assortment of seafood when they’re short of fresh meat, according to federal biologist Dominique Watts of the Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges.
Preliminary analysis of hair of about 40 wolves, along with aerial observations, indicate wolves sometimes feed on salmon, seal, whale and walrus carcasses.
Watts published his finding in the journal Wildlife Biology.
The amount of salmon consumed by wolves surprised him.
“Some of these values were what you might expect if you ran this analysis on seal whiskers,” he said. “It made me think we might have a very unique wolf-prey system out here.”
He started collecting samples in 2006.
Others scientists, including researchers in Southeast and British Columbia, have also shown wolves consuming salmon.
“Wolves are generalist carnivores,” said Watts, who characterized the Alaska Peninsula wolf population as stable. “They’re going to eat what’s available — what they can get their hands on with the least effort. We’re not much different. If I’ve got a plate fries in front of me, I’m not going to go looking for a steak.”
Fisherman's Choice Charters
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
- Fisherman's Choice Charters
- Houston, Alaska, United States
- With over 30 years experience as Alaska salmon fishing guides, Ray Blodgett and his Coast Guard licensed crew are privileged to know the Alaska rivers and their hot spots and have the boats and river savvy to get you there. With 3 rivers to choose from, our Alaska salmon fishing guides have over 300 miles of the hottest salmon and trout fishing waters in the world at their disposal giving our clients a great success rate! Give us a call and LET'S GO FISHING!! 907-892-8707
No comments:
Post a Comment