17°c A few clouds
22°c Thundershowers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Park camera gives peek into wolf-pack life
Handout A pack of 11 wolves was captured on camera on a trail in Riding Mountain National Park last month. The park posted the image on its Facebook page.
GIVEN how tough it is to convince 11 kids to sit for a group photo, imagine trying to get 11 wolves to sit still.
A wildlife camera in Riding Mountain National Park managed to pull off this trick in January, when what appears to be an entire wolf pack -- 11 of the wild canines -- was captured within a single frame.
The black-and-white photo was triggered automatically along a trail in an undisclosed portion of the western Manitoba park, external-relations manager Roger Schroeder said.
The shot has made the social-media rounds since the park posted on Facebook.
"We're just delighted with the response," Schroeder said. "For us, it's all part of the discussion we want to have about the (ecological) role of wolf populations."
The park estimates 113 wolves reside within its boundaries, which amounts to Riding Mountain's largest wolf population since 1975. Wolf packs typically range in size from two to 10 animals, with six being the average size. Packs of 11 wolves are unusual but not unprecedented.
A 2004 study says Riding Mountain's wolves rely on elk for two-thirds of their diet. Moose make up another quarter of the wolves' meals, while beavers, white-tailed deer and hares account for the rest.
Wolves are not, however, responsible for a decline in elk numbers within the park. In response to the presence of bovine tuberculosis among the elk herd, the park has facilitated more elk hunting outside its borders.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 5, 2013 A2
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
More Local
(1 of 19 articles for today)
Flaggers' safety was questioned
1:00 AM 0On the second day of the trial of a driver who struck and killed a highway-construction flag woman, court heard ...
Poll
Most Popular Local
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Glover quits quarrel over election costs
- Bar closing at Royal Albert
- Motorists complained about unsafe practices at site of crash that killed worker
- Blogger found in contempt of court
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Fatal crash 'could have happened to anyone'; defence seeks weekend sentence
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Court told driver hysterical after vehicle fatally hit highway worker
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Glover quits quarrel over election costs
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Child in critical condition after West End crash
- Kenyan wins Manitoba Marathon
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- UPDATE: Now with FAQ: Keeping the e-party going without the party-crashers
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Daycare provider charged with abandonment
- Poolside feeding prompts eviction
- Two people killed in crash north of Winnipeg
- Community's children apprehended by province
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Kids of St. Ignatius make Sweet gesture to beloved crossing guard
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- New crowd plan for Taylor Swift get-together
- Blogger found in contempt of court
- Toilet contents need help escaping
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- Ex's Mach 3 an adrenaline accelerator
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Province blows off wind megawatt goal
- Community's children apprehended by province
- $110-K worth of nickel plates stolen from Thompson mine
- Known as kind, outgoing men
- A day in the life of 13,380 Manitoba Marathon participants
- Métis ready to ring bell again
- Stoppage of play off the field
- Basic arithmetic back in class
- Squirrel crawls out of Winnipegger's toilet
- Father blasts 'horrific' movie
- Developers to unveil plans for bold downtown tower
- Teachers support adding sexual-orientation themes to all curricula
- The crime fighter's revolution
- Safeway stores likely to close
- Car in deadly crash stolen?
- City's first urban reserve born
- On board with the Snowbirds
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.