Wolf Research Project - Volunteer Notes

Our very first Wolf Population Monitoring Project is completed!

It has been a very enriching experience in many ways. After a day in the field we participated in workshops and lectures about wolf ecology and research methods. We learned not only about various types of camera traps, but also about other equipment and practices useful when monitoring this species. There was a lecture about wolf diet analysis, workshops on telemetry and howling. We've learned how to distingluish a wolf scat or how to tell whether found footprints belong to a wolf or not.

During our Telemetry training, after an introduction, every Participant had an opportunity to use the antenna to find a telemetric collar which was previously hidden in the forest and was producig a signal.

We were also looking for potential wolf dens - locations that may be attractive for wolves searching for a place to give birth to the pups. On the pictures you can see dens from previous years and more spots that may be chosen by wolves at present. In the selected places we will install camera traps, well before the birth period. You have to look for for massive fallen trees, stomps or standing trees with large cavities at the base, that provide shelter from the wind around and from the rain above. They have to be dry and spacious enough to contain an adult and the pups.

Transects we followed encompass a wide array of Habitats. From flooded forests, through mountain foothills, reedbeds, bogs, various rock formations and streams to village roads. From old-growth forest to plantations. We had an opportunity to experience a vast variety of landscapes in a magnificent Spring weather!