Understanding wolf-human interactions
by Cat Urbigkit, Pinedale Online!
August 6, 2008
Wild Wolves? Understanding human-wolf interactions in a coastal Canadian National Park Reserve" is the title of Jennifer Smith's thesis at Ontario's Lakehead University.
Smith reports: "In the Broken Group Islands unit (BGI) of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, there are increasing accounts of human-wolf interactions due to a combination of the recent migration of wolves (Canis lupus) into the area and high human use. The wolves have begun exhibiting less wariness of humans and are learning to forage for food in areas frequented by visitors. In this island environment, paddlers (kayakers and canoeists) constitute a significant 95% of total users, a highly influential group worthy of study. These increasing human-wolf interactions have prompted park managers to explore the human dimensions of wolf management with the intention to reduce risks to both people and wolves."
To read Smith's complete thesis, follow the link below.