Details of Extensive Movements by Minnesota Wolves (Canis lupus)

Authors

Samuel Merrill, Camp Ripley Headquarters, Little Falls, Minnesota
L. David Mech, USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research CenterFollow

Date of this Version

2000

Comments

Published in Am. Midl. Nat. 144:428–433.

Abstract

We used VHF, GPS and satellite radiocollars to study details of long distance movements by four Minnesota wolves (Canis lupus). Number of locations during our tracking ranged from 14 to 274. Farthest distances reached ranged from 183–494 km, and minimum distances traveled (sums of line segments) ranged from 490–4251 km. Numbers of times wolves crossed state, provincial or interstate highways ranged from 1 to 215. All four of the wolves returned to or near their natal territories after up to 179 d and at least two left again.