The Trent University Eastern Wolf/Coyote Hybridization Project needs additional funds to complete its research..........The main goals of the project are to: 1) map the distribution of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids within and adjacent to Algonquin Park...... 2) compare survival and reproduction of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids to see if one of these genetic types is moresuccessful than the others.......... and 3) compare the behavior of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids in terms of territory size, habitat selection, movements, predation patterns, etc.

ALGONQUIN PARK AND VICINITY EASTERN WOLF/COYOTE HYBRIDIZATION STUDY

Project Background:

In 2007 scientists from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and Trent University

initiated a project that was an extension of wolf research that has been conducted in Algonquin

Provincial Park (APP) since 2002. The new project is an investigation of hybridization

dynamics between wolves and coyotes in and around APP. Although it is known that wolves

and coyotes interbreed in Ontario, little is known about the causes of this hybridization and

consequences for wolf conservation.

 The main goals of the project are to: 1) map thedistribution of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids within and adjacent to APP, 2) compare survival andreproduction of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids to see if one of these genetic types is moresuccessful than the others, and 3) compare the behavior of wolves, coyotes, and hybrids in termsof territory size, habitat selection, movements, predation patterns, etc.

The results of this studywill have important implications for wolf conservation and improve our understanding of thepotential threat of hybridization to eastern wolf persistence in and around APP. Eastern wolvesare currently listed as a subspecies of special concern, both federally and in Ontario. A recentstudy has suggested that wolves in Algonquin may be genetically and morphologically unique,

and retain a substantial proportion of the historic eastern wolf genome (Rutledge et al. 2010,

 Finally, it isimportant to note that the federal government plans to review the conservation status of easternwolves in 2011, so results from our project will be invaluable for making responsible

conservation and management decisions.

Progress to Date:

Full-time fieldwork began in January 2008 and has run continuously until the present. We have

captured >200 individual wolves, coyotes, and hybrids, fitted each with radio-transmitters and

obtained genetic profiles. We have met or exceeded project goals for these 3 years in terms of

obtaining genetic, demographic, and behavioral data; however, as detailed below additional data,

which could be collected by extending to the project into 2011, would greatly improve our ability

to address the questions, fill knowledge gaps, and provide reliable information for conservation

efforts.

Knowledge Gaps

We have studied pup survival by deploying radio-transmitters on 80 wolf pups captured by hand

in natal dens at about 4 weeks of age during 2008-2010. However, we have tagged more pups

outside of APP than within the park. This is problematic because it appears that pup survival in

western Algonquin may be substantially lower than in eastern APP (based on an earlier study) or

in adjacent areas west of the park (based on our current study). At this point it is difficult to

determine whether these apparent differences are due to our relatively small sample from

western APP, or if pup survival in western APP is actually low, perhaps due to reduced resource

availability.

A fourth pup-tagging season in 2011 would help address this question and ensure

that we obtain reliable estimates of pup survival in APP. Tagging pups in western APP would be

the priority of the 2011 season, and 30-40 pups could realistically be added to our sample. Given

the impending federal review of the conservation status of eastern wolves, and because the APP

wolves may be a unique population, it is essential that we do not leave gaps in our understanding

of wolf population dynamics in and around Algonquin to ensure effective conservation decisions

can be made. Specifically, reliable pup survival estimates are needed to conduct rigorous

population viability analysis for this population.

Funding Obstacles and Importance of Continuing the Work in 2011

In addition to the knowledge gap in eastern wolf pup survival, continuing the project into 2011

would allow us to increase the size and robustness of all datasets and improve our ability to

address important questions regarding hybridization and eastern wolf conservation. The MNR

and Trent University have committed  $550, 000 during 2008-2010 to this project, but we are

currently experiencing a severe funding shortage due to budget cuts and shifting research

priorities which plan for this project to end in winter of 2010-2011.

 To help fill the knowledgegaps identified above, and provide the most comprehensive information possible for wolfconservation efforts, we need to raise additional funds to support our work. Donations of allsizes are accepted and appreciated. However, please note that if we only receive relatively smalldonations, and are unable to secure all of the considerable funding required, we will not be ableto conduct the 2011 pup tagging season. Nonetheless, all donations received will go towards directly funding wolf research in and around Algonquin park. We have many important

activities in addition to pup tagging that require funding (e.g., DNA analysis, aerial tracking

flights to monitor wolves, etc).