Adaptive Management: A Success Story?
The Adaptive Management Plan (AMP) came about in 1999 when it was determined that hybridization between wild red wolves and coyotes was once again endangering red wolves. The AMP was designed to halt the introgression of coyote genetic material into the wild red wolf population and allow biologists an opportunity to study interactions between red wolves and coyotes.
The AMP divided the current red wolf recovery area into three Zones. Zone 1 included the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge and the Dare County bombing range and was assumed to contain no coyotes. Zone 2, just west of Zone 1, was believed to contain a mix of both red wolves and coyotes in undetermined ratios of each. Zone 3, the most western reaches of the red wolf recovery area, had very few red wolves and presumably many more coyotes than wolves.
The first step in the AMP was to determine if these assumptions about the canids living within these Zones were correct. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologists also had to look at the genetics of all the known wolves living within the Zones to make sure what they were calling a red wolf was indeed genetically a red wolf and not a hybrid. Then they needed somehow to stop the coyote genetic introgression. To do this, the biologists had guidelines. Any coyotes/hybrids found in Zone 1 were automatically removed. Zone 1 was intensively managed and maintained as coyote free. Zone 2 coyotes/ hybrids were trapped sterilized, radio collared and released. Zone 3 was not managed intensively, and coyotes were caught and sterilized if found but not aggressively sought. The idea was to give the very small numbers of red wolves a foothold in the area and to boost red wolf numbers so dispersing wolves would have a better chance of finding another wolf and not a coyote. If they did find a coyote, it would be sterilized and would not present a reproductive threat to red wolf recovery. Also, because the coyotes had radio collars, biologists at last had the opportunity to study interactions between the two species. In 1999, biologists didn’t know if red wolves would hold their territory in the presence of coyotes or if the two species could co-exist in the same areas. Red wolves are territorial, and intra specific strife is a major cause of death to wild red wolves. However, would this also apply to coyotes? It was assumed that they would also exclude coyotes from their territories, but biologists needed proof!
The AMP raised a lot of questions within the scientific wolf community. Many people were asking, "Is it too late for the red wolf? Is the species recoverable at all? Is the AMP too invasive and expensive to maintain for one species?" These are valid questions and can be asked of almost any endangered species recovery program. How far are we willing to go to save what we have destroyed?
Since 1999, there have been setbacks and successes, and these questions have loomed over the program at times. But now, in the third year under the AMP, some very interesting news is coming out of the USFWS. In 2001 there were no hybrid litters found in Zone 1 or Zone 2. To date there have been only three hybrid litters found, and all were in Zone 3 which is expected within the AMP guidelines since this Zone is not as heavily managed as the others.
Also, preliminary radio telemetry data show movement of collared coyotes that were with red wolves, and wolves taking the place of the collared coyotes. This is the first sign of possible displacement of coyotes/hybrids by red wolves. Why is this significant? These new data are very important. In 1999, biologists could not answer some imperative questions about red wolves and their future survival in the wild. There was not enough information to know if the red wolf even had a chance or if it was doomed to extinction. At that time the USFWS was not doing genetic testing of red wolves nor was the Service actively managing all of the habitat within the red wolf recovery area. USFWS did not know how many coyotes were living in eastern North Carolina or where they were, and it was not known how red wolves and coyotes reacted to the presence of one another. Answering these questions represented an unprecedented amount of work for four biologists with over one million acres of swamp habitat to cover. The USFWS did implement the AMP, however, and now the biologists can begin to answer these questions as they continue to investigate other questions vital to red wolf recovery.
Because of the apparent success of the AMP in answering these questions and due to the encouraging results, the Zones have been extended. Zones 1 and 2 are being extended to reflect the successful expansion of red wolves westward. The information gathered has led the USFWS to state that interbreeding can be managed, and the AMP approach to red wolf recovery is successful.
The Red Wolf Coalition would like to emphasize that coyote displacement has not been officially studied, and this information can change daily. At any time a hybrid litter can be found in Zone 1 or Zone 2, and we will try to keep our members informed on the success and setbacks encountered by the red wolf recovery team. Even though more studies are needed, this news comes as a welcome reprieve to criticism of the Red Wolf recovery Program and to doubt in the worth of efforts to help this animal.
How far are we willing to go to save an animal? When is enough, enough? At what point can one look into amber eyes of an ancient line of wolf that humans brought to the brink of extinction and say, "We give up?" There were once three subspecies of the red wolf. Two are gone forever. Every challenge the red wolf recovery team faces are man made. The USFWS is proving that maybe we can undo some of the damage we have caused. To quote Red Wolf Recovery Team Leader Bud Fazio from an old USFWS slogan " Endangered Means There is Still Time." [top]
Farewell To A Friend
The Coalition reported last year on Wolf #331. Number 331 was truly a legend among wolves. He was the last captive-born wolf living in the wild population on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. He was the alpha male of the fabled Milltail pack for several generations, and he was a regular sight as he went about the business of living and hunting with his pack mates. It is with regret and sadness that we must report the death of wolf 331 at the incredible old age of 14. Wild red wolves live for an average of six years. Captive red wolves can live up to 15 years. Number 331 beat the odds with his longevity, surviving in his last months with the help of his pack mates since the old wolf’s teeth were worn and useless. His face was grizzled and white, making him instantly recognizable to observers. All of us who watched him help raise countless puppies in the soybean fields on the Refuge and who heard him howl on the dikes overlooking the maintenance facility will miss this celebrity wolf. It is with boundless admiration and affection that we bid him farewell and wish him "Happy Hunting" wherever he may be.
A Memorial Fund to celebrate the life of #331 has been started with a $100.00 donation from a Red Wolf Coalition Member. Wolf #331 is a proud symbol of the success of the world’s first attempt to restore a predator extinct in the wild. If you would like to join in honoring Wolf #331 and in ensuring that the howl of the red wolf will never disappear from eastern North Carolina, please send your donation to the Red Wolf Coalition. We will list your name in the next issue of Wolf Tracker in grateful acknowledgement of your support of red wolves. [top]
Our Thanks To Our Very Special Donors
Thank you to all of our members and supporters! If you would like to make a Memorial Donation, please send donation and the name of your loved one to the Red Wolf Coalition, PO Box 2318, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 and we will include the memorial in our newsletter. [top]
Food Lion Shop and Share 2002
The Food Lion Corporation has a corporate giving program named the Food Lion Shop and Share program. Every MVP shopper of Food Lion stores can now go online and register your MVP card to donate funds to the Red Wolf Coalition. The more people we have registering and shopping with their MVP card, the more money the Coalition receives.
We would like to ask our members to go to http://www.foodlion.com and click on the Lion Shop and Share 2002 icon. Then follow prompts to register your MVP card in the program. As you type in the requested information, please note that we are in Kill Devil Hills. If you select Nags Head or Kitty Hawk, it will not provide the Red Wolf Coalition as a giving option.
By registering in this program, you can continue to give to the Coalition. The more who sign up, the more we can continue to serve the red wolf. Thanks for sharing! [top]
Join The Red Wolf Coalition
Click here to learn how to join and support the Red Wolf Coalition. [top]
