Fig. 13.—While in captivity, the wolves were fed primarily on road-killed deer (Photo by Don Pavloski)
The subsequent locations of the wolves were then checked intermittently through aerial radio-tracking (Mech 1974), with a receiver and antenna from the AVM Instrument Co., Champaign, Illinois, used in a Cessna 172 and a Piper Colt. We made two flights each day for the first 2 days after release, one each day when weather permitted, until April 20, three per week in May, approximately two per week from June through September, and three per week in October and November. A total of 194 hours were flown, 80 per cent by Weise, and the remainder by Hook. Aerial locations were usually recorded to the nearest 40 acres (16 ha.).
We also tracked the wolves from the ground whenever interesting or significant activities were observed during flights or were reported by ground observers. Carcasses of prey animals were investigated from the ground after consumption was complete and the wolves had left. Deer eaten by the wolves were considered killed by them if the ground check revealed fresh blood or flesh, or signs of a struggle. Scats were collected along the tracks of the wolves in the snow whenever possible.
When radio signals were received from the same location for unusually long periods, ground checks were made to determine the cause.
Attempts were made to verify all sightings and track records reported by local citizens, by comparing them with the aerially-determined locations.
RESULTS
Social Structure of the Translocated Wolves
Wolves No. 11, 12, and 13 were captured in Minnesota within a mile (1.6 km) of each other, and No. 11 and 12 were taken in the same trap set 12 days apart; Wolf No. 10 was caught approximately 7.5 miles (12.1 km) southeast of the others (Table 2). All were judged to be thin but in good condition.
Females No. 10 and 11 were introduced into the same pen on January 23. No. 11 was reluctant to enter the pen containing No. 10 while several observers were around, but entered within 15 minutes after all but one had left. No. 11 went directly to No. 10 which was lying in a corner as she usually did, and pawed the fence at No. 10's back. When the pawing became more vigorous, No. 10 snapped at No. 11, moving only her head and neck. No. 11 then turned directly to No. 10, sniffed the top of her head and mane, and lay down beside No. 10 with her nose still in No. 10's mane. No. 10 remained still throughout the whole process. The trapper reported that later No. 11 licked the face of No. 10. Sniffing and licking anteriorally are usually signs of intimacy between wolves (Schenkel 1947).