Snared wolves roaming parts of Denali Park
Published Thursday, April 24, 2008
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Tourists in Denali National Park and Preserve could be in for a gruesome sight this summer if two particular wolves are still hanging out in the park.
The wolves were caught in snares outside the park 3 /12 weeks ago but managed to escape — with the snares still on their necks.
The park service began receiving reports about one of the wolves, a big, gray male, in mid-February. That wolf has been seen along stretches of the Parks Highway near park headquarters, as well as on the first 10 miles of Denali Park Road, which is open to the public. The latest sighting came on Tuesday evening at Mile 7 of the park road, but the wolf was gone by the time park service biologists Tom Meier and Pat Owen arrived with the hope of tranquilizing it so they could remove the snare.
Considering that the wolf has survived two months, there’s a good chance it could still be around when shuttle buses begin ferrying tourists in and out of the 6-million-acre park on May 20, especially given the fact it has been seen hanging around in several highly visible areas.
“Given the places it’s been seen, I’m kind of worried it could show up and be seen around a campground or the visitors center,” Meier said. “If that happens, it’s going to be a huge stink for the park service and trappers and everyone else.”
The wound on the wolf’s neck is “pretty ugly,” he said.
“If this wolf is seen by a lot of people, we’re going to have a lot of explaining to do,” Meier said. “People will ask how we can tolerate that. Of course, it’s not up to us whether we tolerate it or not.”
The wolves were most likely legally trapped on state land when they roamed outside the park and then returned after breaking loose, he said.
Other than a nasty wound around its neck, however, the gray wolf hanging around park headquarters seems to be managing, Meier said. The fact that it has survived more than two months is evidence that it can still eat and drink.
“A lot of people have seen the gray one and they all describe it as looking good,” he said. “It’s not skinny; it’s moving well.”
The other snare-wearing wolf, a black that is part of the East Fork or Toklat Pack, hasn’t been seen in two weeks because it hasn’t returned to its pack, which biologists can track because some wolves in the pack are fitted with radio collars.
Park policy
Trapping is not allowed in the park or a “buffer zone” of state land adjacent to the northeast park boundary. The most likely scenario is that the wolves roamed outside the no-trapping zone and stumbled into a trapline on state land where trapping is allowed. There are several trappers operating on the northern boundary of the park along the Stampede Road trail and this year there seem to be more than in past years, Meier said. Several wolves in different packs have been shot or trapped in the area this year, he said.
The wolves with snares around their necks most likely chewed through or broke the snare cables, which might mean the trapper who caught them isn’t using big enough cable or is not anchoring the snare well enough, Meier said. There is also a chance they were caught in lighter snares set for coyotes, he said.
If they have a chance, park service biologists will tranquilize the snared wolves and remove the snares, Meier said.
“Park service policy is to let nature take its course but since they were suffering from a human-caused injury it would be our policy to do what we could to help them,” the biologist said. “If an animal was naturally injured, we’d let it go.”
If the injuries were serious enough that biologists didn’t think the wolves would survive, they would kill them, Meier said.
Need for protection
The plight of the snared wolves has fueled the fire of independent wolf researcher Gordon Haber, who has been studying wolves in Denali Park for more than 40 years. Haber has been pushing to expand the area where trapping is prohibited around the northeast boundary of the park for years.
Haber argues that the boundaries for the no-trapping zone on state land are arbitrarily drawn and don’t cover the winter territories of several packs that venture into the Stampede Flats in search of caribou or moose. Radio-tracking flights prove that, he said.
“There’s no doubt park wolves are getting hit hard over there,” he said of the area along the Stampede Trail just north of Healy. “This winter alone we’re talking up to 19 wolves from five different groups.
“That area needs protection immediately,” said Haber, who faults the Department of Fish and Game for not pushing for an expansion of the no-trapping boundary.
The Alaska Board of Game has issued a moratorium on any proposals to expand the no-trapping zone on state land until 2010.
While the park service would “appreciate it” if the state expanded the no-trapping buffer zone, the feds aren’t going to push for it. That’s the state’s decision to make, Meier said.
Haber agrees that the park’s overall wolf population, estimated at about 100 wolves in 18 packs, is not threatened by trapping and hunting along the park boundaries. But the value of scientific research gleaned from years of studying those wolves is, he said. The Toklat wolves are the most-studied, most-viewed wolves in the world and have “world-class importance,” said Haber, who maintains a Web site (www.alaskawolves.org) dedicated to the wolves of Denali.
“The issue is more than just how many are there, that’s irrelevant,” he said. “It’s the integrity of family group that counts the most. When you have a chance to get information over a long period of time, like the (Toklat) group, that’s unique and invaluable. When somebody comes along and shoots or traps those wolves it screws it up.”
Contact staff writer Tim Mowry at 459-7587.
Community Discussion
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Well, it's definitely caught my attention.
Why on earth does every news organization still refer to Gordon Haber as an independent researcher. When you are paid by an organization that has an agenda that demands your findings to come out a certain way you are not independent, please explain why the News-Miner and all others continue to use this description of Mr. Haber like it is his title??
“If an animal was naturally injured, we’d let it go.”
We'll then it's settled no more additional resources are needed to locate this wolfe.
The wolfe was injured in the natural act of a homo sapiens attempt to collect it's hide or to diminish this predators pressure on another resource that both compete for..
Send in the aerial hunters and take them out (you would put them down if it were a dog or cat picked up in the same condition by the pound) we surely do not want to offend any tourists. Better may sure all the road kill bunnies (hares) and porcupines are cleaned up regularly.
Sounds like the Feds didn't grab quite enough land for the park. And if the legal taking of the wolves screws up Haber's work for Friends of the Animals well that's just too bad. If they are indeed the most studied wolves in the world then his work should be finished.
user6244---wolf-wolves---wuf
Well, Park Officials could explain to tourists that there are a lot of people in Alaska who participate in this barbaric practice... and this is the end result. Alaska may be beautiful, but the things a lot of Alaskans do are not. Some tourists may appreciate an honest look at the not-so-pretty side of the state they've been dreaming of visiting.
Who will be the first to tell me to leave if I don't like it?
Eric- "independent" does not mean "neutral" or "impartial".
Maybe it was one of jeff kings' snares. Surprised Feds didn't jump on him for this.
a wolf attempts to bring down a moose and fails. the moose afterwards wanders around showing it wounds from it's encounter with the wolf. tourists see the moose and the tour guide explains what has happened to this moose. the tourists ooh and aah over the beauty and raw nature of it all. a human attempts to capture and kill a wolf and fails and then afterwards the wolf wanders around showing the signs of it's encounter with the human. this is barbaric.... no... this is a double standard.
because the trapper can move to one his species big city and get a job and buy synthetically produced clothing and eat store bought beef, he/she has lost his or her license to function on this planet as the hunter gatherer + predator that he originally was? humans are the disenfranchised animal of this planet? no long having to the right to participate in the ecological economy of this world? i think not.
traitor to your own species...
There are a lot of my own species from whom I am eager to distance myself.
No one has commented on how the park concessionaire routinely snares unsuspecting tourists and brutally shreds their bank accounts. Then these mortally wounded humans are set loose to wander down the highway and become roadkill at the next attraction.
Shameless.
I'll explain the neccessity of trapping to the tourists!! I'll give them a power-point presentation of what they would see if the wolves were able to populate and grow withour hunters and trappers containing their packs. I'll show them how Mr. Snared Wolf's cousin ate a couple dogs out of their owners' backyards in North Pole. I'll show them how they down baby moose and rip their necks out. I don't think they'd like to come to the Park and see no moose or caribou around. If they're coming here to see Alaska, let them see it in its fullest-and if they don't like it, they can stay home!
(It IS unfortunate that the trapper lost his catch. I am sorry he lost out the money he may have needed for his family. It is unfortunate that this wolf became educated and will likely never be caught again. AND, yes, it is unfortunate the animal is suffering with the snare still on its neck. Hopefully someone will kill and still be able to use its hide. I will remind you that Man tried to clothe himself with trees, and God clothed Man with animal skins!)
God has nothing to do with this. Can you make your agument without it?
So a couple of wolves have snares around their necks, since there is regularly stolen traps and fur and sabotaged sets in this area, it would'nt suprise me if some wolf eco-nut had put a couple of loosely tied snares out just for a publicity stunt such as this, most trappers sucure their snares not only to prevent events such as this and and don't like loss of income and the expense of buying new gear. Don't underestimate these eco-nuts!
Remember a couple of years ago Gorden Fabler was crying about the 2 wolves killed near Cantwell? Remember he was whineing that those wolves were the last of the Toklat pack? I guess his wolf-god reinvented them,,WOW!! The fact is the last wolf shot by Cantwell was a wolf relocated from eastern Alaska. Oh well as said above he gets paid to do what he does. I remember when he turned a snared or trapped wolf loose over near Tok I think, he got sued for that and he lost.
If park official do catch these wolves, it will be interesting to see if the snares have any ownership markings, or will find the end of the snares cut.
trapping is good for what?
MBinAK: Oh God, do we have to talk about God again. The imaginary friend debate has run its course. Let's stick to the topic at hand. Wolves and humans actually exist.
I support trappers, legal and ethical ones. I also support places like Denali for willdife viewing and tourists. I do not support aerial hunting, which is supported by bad science. I find it very interesting that almost no one has commented on the cruelty and pain inflicted on these injured animals. My neighbor who is an ethical, honest trapper, thinks it is awful that these animals have been injured and suffer like this. Instead of lambasting Haber and others, just examine the reality. Trappers and trapping will be smeared with this, plain and simple. Where are trappers commenting negatively on the amateurs who let this wolf get away and suffer a lingering agony?
... and so does God!
Great job, mabey now the park will have two less wolves!!!
theTRUTH say "... and so does God!" in response to "I support trappers, legal and ethical ones."
Really theTRUTH? And you know this how? Have you spoken with him lately about this particular topic?
Newsreader, this is why it's good to have god on your side. You get to believe your agenda is supported and you don't have to prove it.
Right, but I'm wondering how or why anyone would follow this God, that, as I've already shown on several posts, simply wants to kill everyone that doees not worship and grovel at his feet?
Why would anyone follow a leader like that? I just don't get it.
And the problem with tourorists seeing this "natural" part of our Alaskan lifestyle is... what???? Let them see what life is really like up here in the United States of America's very own Third World Colony. If we keep sanitizing things for the squeamish buggers they'll keep moving up here and Californicating.
Seriously, it's hypocritical as heck to clean things up for the tourons. Putting the animals out of their misery is another issue altogether - get a gunner in there and take care of it - but let's not fall into the trap of creating Disneylaska. If ya' wanna do that, park the buses and install video monitors in place of windows, then let the tourorists sit and watch pretty pictures of what they want Alaska to look like. That'll help reduce air pollution, too.
without tourism revenue you would have to figure out how to eat oil, for free.
Polarmark-the difference between your wolf/moose and wolf/human story is the wolf is eating the moose to stay alive. I am not sure but is the human eating the wolf to stay alive? If so, I apologize.
lagirl, do work to buy food? Trapping is work and it buys alot of food for many people. Same thing as the wolf eating the moose..
Joeparks--Prostitution is a way of life that puts food in peoples mouths also, but I don't consider that a great way to earn a living either. All I was saying to polarmark is that it was not a good comparison.
newsreader said: theTRUTH say "... and so does God!" in response to "I support trappers, legal and ethical ones."
Actually newsreader I was responding to The_Alaska_Curmudgeon's response of "Wolves and humans actually exist." I just didn't get it posted quick enough.
Good try though! And yes, I have spoken to Him (God). It's called prayer and I do it regualarly... especially for and about YOU.
...but this string isn't about God. It's about wolves. So I'll put my 2 cents in. It's too bad that the wolves are in this situation but I trust that the park officers will do thier job. cha-ching
theLIE --
Interesting, does he speak back? What does he sound like? What does he say to you? I mean, if he doesn't respond, then don't you get tired of having a one way conversation all of the time?
By the way, keep on praying for me, ok? The more time you spend doing that, the less time you will have to spread your sickness onto the youths of our community!
;)
Trapping is one of the cruelest activities ever developed by man. It
was used by primitive man out of necessity in order to survive. We
are long past that period now and one would think a more compassionate
mankind would have ended this type of killing many years ago. As the
above comments indicate this killing is clouded with many reasons to justify the prosess as necessary. These are, of course, all hogwash.
People kill because because they like to not because it is necessary.
We have expanded into areas once the domain of wild animals and just because they are there we kill for no justifiable reason. The atitude
of live and let live, for some reason does, not apply to animals.
lagirl, prostitution is illegal, trapping is not, not a very good comparision.
TomJ47?, your mindset says people kill because they like to, have you confirmed this with all the trappers???? Have you asked our military personal?? how about cops??/ You ought to grow up, the world doesn't 'live' in your mindset.
JoeParks--
You almost had a good response there... until you threw out the "grow up" crutch. When people disagree with you, responses that don't include the LCD insult hold more weight.
LCD?
BTW - Prostitution SHOULD be legal, and some people DO think that it is a great way to earn money...
I know this one girl that...
oh, never mind.
math guy?
theLie can keep praying for me too. Spend some extra time all of my friends also.
Most high end call girls earn more than trappers but who knows you trap enough wolves for a nice fur coat and one might be able to work out a trade with said call girl so it works out in the end. Anyone know were a guy could start a trap line?
"we" dont have to explain anything. The foreign and out-of-state tour guides will explain to the tourists whatever they want or whatever they are told too. Who cares what anyone thinks. Things happen. Oh well. We have a lot of wolves, sometimes they get away when snared, hunted, shot, etc. Nature.
There is a picture of the wolf with the snare in the paper. But the article said they haven't been able to find it to tranquize it. Call me stupid, but shouldn't they have used their tranq gun instead of their Kodak?
I personally don't like trapping, I think it's cruel, but I've never had to do it to feed a family or make a living, so I can't condemn it. It's a part of being Alaskan, just like dogsledding and Ironman and winter. Just like hunting and fishing and surviving the elements that are there. It's a shame the animal escaped and that tourists might see it but there it is, not much we can do but hope the game management folks can dart it and remove the snare. As for all you folks posting trap the trappers, etc. ... you're obviously not Alaskan. Try being one before you condemn us. If not, well, enough about trapping the trappers. I don't like 'em either but I'm not one to espouse taking away their way of life or the means to feed their families. That's what Alaska is all about, diversity and the acceptance of it. It's no wonder we're physically seperated from the "lower 48". I wouldn't want any of that to rub off on my Alaska, either!
There you go the storyteller teller hit it on the head! They should have been shot and killed.
Mr. imusallyright described Gordon Haber pretty well. He is Not any of these things and should not be describe as such.
"independent" "neutral" or "impartial".
He is no more an expert that Marlen Perkins.
The picture was taken by Haber and it was on the railroad. If almost any one else would have seen it, in another location they would have killed it and you never would have heard of it.
I can't believe how wrong some folks can be!
I don't need to see photographs of a suffering animal. F&G, it was human intervention that caused the injury, please dispatch the poor beastie a.s.a.p.
-RK
All of God's creatures have a place........................right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy! :)
Hmmm, Trapping is being likened to prostitution. How about if we issue a trapping license to Elliot Spitzer, then. I hear he's looking for work. And he'll be compassionate since he knows what it feels like to get snared.
Trapping as a way to feed the family? Oh please. All of the trappers in the Denali area are recreational trappers. Hell, one of them works for the Park Service -- can't tell me he doesn't make enough money to feed himself. Two more run businesses that depend on tourists who come to see the wildlife in the Park, including wolves. Hmmmm, if only these tourists knew who was killing the wolves up there. Perhaps they will this year.
There is nothing sporting or necessary about trapping Denali's wolves. As a result of Park visitation they are tolerant of people, which makes them more vulnerable. How sporting is that?
And please get off the Gordon Haber kick. He, along with Dr. Adolph Murie, Dr. David Mech, Layne Adams and Tom Meier have been studying Denali's wolves for decades. If Haber said something that was inaccurate, you can bet the current park biologist Tom Meier would be all over it. Just because he receives some of his funding from an animal welfare group doesn't mean he is not objective. He simply doesn't believe the trappers in Denali should be allowed to indiscriminately kill wolves that are valuable both economically to the Park and locals as watchable wildlife, but also to research.
This comes down to decency and respect for animals, something both hunters and non-hunters should hold dear. Using barbaric, and often ineffective archaic traps to kill animals should go the way of slavery ... which remember, was also a so-called "American tradition".
If a rabid fox bit my dog do you think I'm going to call FD&G to come and immunize him to save his life. They would laugh at me. Just shoot the poor critters, at the earliest possible convenience and save the state numerous thousands of dollars. Then educate the poor trapper to make sets for bigger game just in case.
If your usually right or a newsreader comeback, as I am loaded for bear.
"If your usually right or a newsreader comeback"
Well, I would, but I'm having hard time deciphering what you're trying to say.
Do you want a comeback? Do you want one of us to come back?
Oh there you are, yes I think that you should be the gunner and newsreader should be the skinner. That would be right in line with your pessimistic attitudes. Talk to you tomorrow.
Alright, Sunshine... I won't spend too much time trying to decode THAT.
Read what you have written and posted then maybe we will both wake up.
wildvisons, you are way off base to put Fabler in the same group of genuine biologists you mention. You are way off base when you mention the 3 trappers, they are NOT the majority of trappers, you don't know MOST of the trappers...period. Since you are implying your vast knowledge of the trappers, YOU could inform the tourists, go to 'glitter gulch' and scream the trappers names to the tourists, tell them all about whats happening. I can only guess what a laughable response you would get!!
Trapping is environmentally friendly and reduces CO2 production.
I mean trappers trap a renewable resource for it's fur which in turn can be used to make anything from coats, gloves, hats, and even blankets to name just a few uses. Any of these items used in the home allow the trapper or those who buy his goods away to reduce the thermostat in the house which also decreases the use of energy no matter if it is wood, oil, or coal thus reducing the trappers CO2 foot print.
The use of fur also reduces the need for synthetic clothing further reducing the consumption of oil.
I really could care less about reducing my CO2 footprint. I actually prefer a warmer climate which history shows has always been the most prosperous and causes fewer worldwide deaths overall.
But for all those in favor of reducing the carbon footprint they all should encourage and embrace responsibly managed trapping of a renewable resource......
Gordon is a proven criminal that is lucky that he did not get caught messing with legal trapper's traps. I agree, the newsminer can come up with pictures, but they cannot find them?? Interesting. There is no real reason to argue with people on here, they are not going to change their mind, and they certainly are not going to change anyone else's mind. Shame these wolves got away and are running loose, for a number of reasons.
Two out of hundreds ain't bad........
A master guide in ALASKA LET me view a video of five of them NATUARE dogs killing a baby moose in a pond.
Two out of hundreds ain't bad........
A master guide in ALASKA LET me view a video of five of them WOLVES killing a baby moose in a pond.
And when mama came to the rescue they got her too.
OOOhhh hell, just call PETA
bu boy,
OK, baby-moose hugger bu-boy. Let me see you catch your dinner with your teeth. I'm sure that video would be worse.
As a result of Park visitation they are tolerant of people, which makes them more vulnerable. How sporting is that?
Trapping is not a sport!! The trappers are not trapping by the park headquarters!! They are LEGAL trappers!! Gordon Haber is a criminal!! OK, I will get off my soapbox, but please be a bit more accurate.
http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/wp-con...
http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/wp-con...
http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/wp-con...
http://blog.kingsoutdoorworld.com/wp-con...
They were taken on 2/12/06 and the photos were taken by John Vucetich. Mr. Vucetich is a biologist who follows the wolf packs and records activity, etc. of Isle Royale. Isle Royale is an island of the Great Lakes, located in the northwest of Lake Superior. The island and the surrounding smaller islands and waters make up Isle Royale National Park and is part of the state of Michigan. These photos were taken from a Helicopter during ariel observations.
Some interesting photo's
It's shameful that many Alaskans don't care that the snared wolves are suffering. I hope every tourist sees these poor wolves, so they'll come to see these Alaskans as the GREEDY and CRUEL people they really are. Their disrespect for animals is absolutely appalling. Snares and traps should be banned.
Is it ok if we swat mosquitos? Trap a mouse in the house? Or do we draw the line at cute?
Here is a novel idea. Leave people alone. Its none of your business. Wow. Crazy idea! Almost....revolutionary!
Winston See which people as greedy and cruel? Park service, for not removing the snares or killing the wolves?, I believe they could do either at the discretion of the park superintentant.
Do you realize how many poor little parka squirlls have been run over, killed or maimed, left writhing in agony on the park road??, just because the tourists want to see the park. So who really greedy, (maby park consessions) and whos really cruel?
On a different note, the "carbon footprint" the tourists drag all the way to the park and especially into it is HUGE.
I'm now for wiping out the entire wolf population just because it will end the BS!
It's amazing to me that anyone can think that humans trapping wolves is "natural". Man ceased to be a functioning part of any natural ecosystem when he overpopulated the planet by a factor of 100 or 1000 and developed weaponry sufficient to destroy the entire planet. He has made every effort to dominate and control nature, rather than to actually live in it. To compare man killing wolves with wolves killing moose is like comparing a toxic waste spill to a pristine lake.
Leave nature alone and it will balance itself. Wolves and ungulates will prevent each other from becoming overpopulated or extinct only if we stop interfering.
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