Photo gallery: 2006 trip

Following is a sampling of photos from my 21st summer of studying the wolves of the High Arctic, including a few shots of my partners and a lone raven some research party must have hand-reared.

These photos (copyright L. David Mech) were taken on personal time. Students may use individual photos without permission but with credit to the website.

For commercial or publication use, or any other use, please e-mail me (mechx002@umn.edu), stating terms.

For other photos and information about the wolves of this area, please go to www.arctic.noaa.gov/essay_mech.html

Map of study area — This year’s trip to Canada’s High Arctic (80oN) represented my 20th summer studying the wolves and their prey there since 1986.

Aerial view. — The journey requires a very long flight over the frozen Arctic Ocean (pre-2006 photo).

Snow and ice. — Snow and ice cover most of the area year-around (pre-2006 photo).

Arctic hare. — However, certain areas, called “thermal oases,” remain snow-free for most of mid-June through mid-September, thus supporting scattered small plants and herbivores such as this arctic hare.

Muskoxen — The plants also support widely distributed herds of muskoxen (pre-2006 photo).

Wolf pups — Arctic wolves that prey on the hares and muskoxen den for about 8 weeks each year to raise their pups (pre-2006 photo).

Observation spot — Overview of the den and one of our observation spots. We are outlined by the white circle as we observe. Photo courtesy of Dr. Dale Andersen, SETI Institute

Dave — That’s why I make the journey that takes 3 days to get to the area each summer – to study the wolves around their den.

Nancy — Partners this year included International Wolf Center board member Nancy Gibson. Edgar, the tame raven, became our mascot.

Ted — A second partner this year, Ted Spaulding, is also an IWC board member.

Cornelia — Completing the team was International Wolf Center board member Cornelia (“Neil”) Hutt. She was also greatly enamored by Edgar, the raven, who must have been hand-raised by a long departed team of arctic scientists.

wolf pups — The pups – five in all – were just at the stage (5-6 weeks) where they began to explore outside the den.

Wolf — The breeding male was the boldest of the adults but was home the least.

Sleeping wolf. — When back to the den after a long hunt, most of the wolves spent their time resting and sleeping.

wolf — A bloody face was an excellent indication that the wolves had made a fresh kill – usually a muskox calf.

Wolf pus — A pair of pups decides to go on a jaunt.

wolves — After one travels too far and gets lost, its cries quickly lure the adults over.

Wolves — The pup is then well-escorted back to the den.

Pups and nanny — Each night when most of the adults went off hunting, they would leave 1-2 “nannies” or “babysitters,” usually different each time.

Nanny and pups — This nanny, a grayish male – thought to be 2-years old – seemed to delight in stalking and pouncing on the pups.

Nanny and pups — When a pup would try to scramble away, the nanny immediately chased it.

Nanny and pups — A quick but friendly nip, and the pup would stop.

Nanny and pups — Soft-mouthing the pups was another approach the nanny used to play with them.

Nanny and pups — Another short chase . . .

Nanny and pups — . . . and another friendly bite.

Nursing pups — When the breeding female returned from a hunt, the pups quickly latched on to nurse. Here a yearling or 2-yr-old decided to join in the free meal.

pup — Nooks and crannies around the den consistently invite exploration.

Wolf and pup — Affection and camaraderie between the pups and adults was pervasive.

Wolf and raven — Edgar seemed to regularly tease the wolves to catch him – unsuccessfully so far.

Raven — Intrigued by all the shiny ATV parts, Edgar strikes a fine pose for the camera.

Neil and wolves — And Neil, well rested after a long day (night!) gets a good-bye look from some of the packmates. Time to call it a day (night).

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