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August Feature: Wolves
Wolves belong to the family of Canidae (dogs).
IUCN - The World Conservation's SSC (Species Survival Commission)
Wolf Specialist Group and Canid Specialist Group recognize 34
species of wild canids.
The grey or timber wolf (Canis lupus) is
the largest wild canid, with adult males weighing on average,
30-40 kilograms. Once the world's most widely distributed mammal,
spread throughout the northern hemisphere, the grey wolf's largest
populations are now found in Canada, Alaska, and Russia. Packs
generally include a breeding pair, offspring of the current year
as well as a few animals from previous years. The number of wolves
in a pack rarely exceeds 12 but exceptionally up to 30 have been
recorded. Their diet consists mainly of large ungulates (grass-eating
mammals) such as moose, caribou, and deer, but they also eat smaller
animals and livestock.
The grey wolf is hunted for its fur in Canada, Alaska, and Russia.
According to CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), 6,000 to 7,000 wolf skins have
been traded annually since 1981. The wolf skin trade can remain
sustainable, that is, wolves can be hunted without seriously depleting
the world wolf numbers provided they are hunted only in countries
with healthy wolf populations. Learn MORE About Wolves... |