Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center OCTOBER 2015
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
Getting Married?
THANK YOU Cadet Squadrons 19 and 24 who volunteered Friday, 25 September 2015.
What better place than to get married with the wolves?
Photos by C3C Stephen Larson
Congratulations Kelly & Andrew
Call us for details. 719-687-9742 Wedding coordinator: Catherine
Kekoa killed a raccoon!
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
In the eerie emptiness of Chernobyl’s abandoned towns, wildlife is flourishing post from Howling For Justice
A European gray wolf on the Ukrainian side of the Chernobyl exclusion zone. Sergey Gashchak/Chornobyl Center
Chernobyl, one of the greatest disasters of the modern age, has turned into a haven for wildlife in just thirty years. How ironic, that a place uninhabited for decades, due to a catastrophic radiation spill at a Ukrainian power plant (which was then part of the USSR), is now a flourishing wildlife refuge, particularly for wolves. The explanation: NO HUMANS! “It’s very likely that wildlife numbers at Chernobyl are much higher than they were before the accident,” a researcher says in a release. “This doesn’t mean radiation is good for wildlife, just that the effects of human habitation, including hunting, farming, and forestry, are a lot worse.” The sound was like nothing Tom Hinton had ever heard before: a chorus of baleful wolf howls, long and loud and coming from seemingly every direction in the darkness. The predators yipped and chirped and crooned to one another for what seemed like forever, sending a shiver of awe and intuitive fear down Hinton’s spine. “It was a primordial experience,” he said, something most of humanity hasn’t felt for tens of thousands of years. “That dates back to when humans were prey.”
It was only possible because of where Hinton was standing, a remote area along the Belarus-Ukraine border that’s been uninhabited by humans for decades. They all left in the wake of a very different sound nearly 30 years earlier: the massive explosion of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in 1986, which left dozens dead and drove more than 100,000 people from their homes across a 1,600-square-mile swath of Ukraine and Belarus. These days, abandoned apartment complexes are nothing more than crumbled concrete wrecks. Vines crawl up the decaying walls of old farmhouses. No one lives in the postapocalyptic setting. No one human, that is. Wildlife populations there – shaggy-haired wild boar, long-legged elk, the howling choruses of wolves that so captivated Hinton last August – are flourishing. “It shows I think that how much damage we do,” said fellow co-author Jim Smith, an environmental science professor at the University of Portsmouth. “It’s kind of obvious but our everyday activities associated with being in a place are what damages the environment.” The study is the first real census of wild animals in
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
the exclusion zone. It relies on a decades The presence of wolves is particularly Not that worth of helicopter observations in the telling. As apex predators, they are a sign years right after the disaster, and three the health of the entire ecosystem – if radiation isn’t of winters of scientists carefully counting they’re flourishing, that means that evanimal tracks on foot between 2008 and bad, but what ery other level of species, from elk and 2010 in the Belarusian section of the zone. deer on down to insects and plants, must people do Though animal numbers were low when also be healthy. when they’re scientists first started counting them in Another team of researchers is current1987 (because no data was taken before ly using camera traps to count wildlife there is so the disaster, they can’t tell to what degree on the Ukrainian side of the exclusion much worse. zone. Nick Beresford, a radioecologist the populations were hurt by the explosion), they rapidly rose once humans left at the National Environment Research the region. Brown bears and rare EuroCouncil in the UK, said that their work pean lynx – predatory cats the size of a Great Dane won’t be done until the end of the year, but he exwith tufted ears and glimmering gold eyes – quickly pects to reach the same conclusions as those workappeared in the forests, even though they hadn’t ing in Belarus. been seen for decades before the accident. Wild boar Beresford praised the Current Biology study and took up residence in abandoned buildings. Forests its findings: “People have said before that wildlife replaced humans in the villages’ empty streets. in the zone is flourishing, but those accounts were Within 10 years, every animal population in the rightly criticized as anecdotal,” he said. “This is the exclusion zone had at least doubled. At the same first study to really back it up with science.” time, the kinds of species that were flourishing in Walking around the exclusion zone is like being in the exclusion zone were vanishing from other parts “a national park without the people,” Hinton said. of the former Soviet Union, likely due to increased The forests are nearly pristine, the animals abunhunting, poorer wildlife management and other dant. What relics of human presence do remain economic changes. have been almost entirely reclaimed by nature. By 2010, the last year of the on-foot census, the Even the Soviet city of Pripyat in Ukraine, which populations for most species were as large as in any once housed tens of thousands of workers at the of Belarus’ four national parks. For one species, the Chernobyl plant, has been subsumed by trees. wolves, the population was seven times bigger. “When I was there 15 years ago, it looked like a city This indicates to researchers that chronic exposure with some trees growing in it,” recalled Smith. “Now to radiation from the explosion has had no impact it looks like a forest with some buildings in it.” on overall mammal populations. Whatever fallout For Hinton, who is currently studying the effects of may have come from the initial explosion was com- the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan, the pletely offset by the benefits of life without humans. impact is both astounding and sobering. This doesn’t mean that the zone isn’t dangerous, “It’s an amazing experience from a wildlife perHinton stressed. He and his colleagues didn’t study spective, but it’s also a sad experience because you the individual- and molecular-level damage caused see homes that have been abandoned and you imagby lingering contamination. While whole popula- ine the people’s lives that have been disturbed,” he tions aren’t dying out, individual animals might be said. “It’s sad to see the houses and the cars and the getting sick. And surveys have shown that the soil baseball bats and you envision the life that people in areas close to the reactor site still exude radiation. had to drop and leave. But you also see wild boar But, “the environment is very resilient,” Hinton running around and you don’t see that as soon as said. you leave the zone.” COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
JOIN US FOR OUR IN THE NEWS Endangered Earth: A Win for Mexican Gray Wolves 10 Mexican Gray Wolves to Be Released in New Mexico Big news in our work to save one of North America’s rarest mammals: After pressure from the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it will release about 10 Mexican gray wolves into the wilds of southwestern New Mexico -- a move scientists say is crucial to reduce dangerous inbreeding of the rare creatures. Just days earlier, the Center and allies sent a letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, signed by 43 groups and scientists, asking her to release at least five packs of endangered Mexican gray wolves into New Mexico’s 3.3-million-acre Gila National Forest. Back in 1998, after a Center lawsuit, the Service began reintroducing Mexican gray wolves from captive-breeding facilities into their historic U.S. Southwest range, where they had been obliterated by federal poisoning and trapping. But the Service only released wolves into a small part of Arizona’s Apache National Forest, which quickly filled with wolf families. “Releasing Mexican wolves to the wild is the only way to save these animals from extinction,” the Center’s Michael Robinson told the Santa Fe New Mexican. “It’s vital now that enough wolves get released to diversify their gene pool and ensure they don’t waste away from inbreeding.”
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
30 dead wolves -- 29 shot, one trapped. That’s the total so far in Idaho’s grisly wolf-hunting season. In the past few weeks, 30 wolf families have been shattered.
And the anti-wolf zealots want more. They’re howling with glee. On Facebook groups like “The Only Good Wolf is a Dead Wolf,” they’ve been sharing photos of the bloody carcasses of their victims -- egging each other on to “smoke a pack a day.” With as few as 550 wolves left in the entire state, these wolves are in danger of being wiped out by killers whose mantra is “shoot, shovel and shut up.” The Center for Biological Diversity is in a running fight with these killers, who want to spread Idaho’s terror across every state where wolves are trying to recover. If we don’t stop them, the killers will hunt down wolf families from the Great Lakes to the Pacific, wiping them out for the second time in a century. They don’t want a single wolf family left in the wild, and their friends in Congress have their backs. The Center is currently fighting a slew of sneaky congressional “riders,” amendments that would end federal protection of wolves in states like Minnesota and Wyoming. Wolves need the best defense possible, and the Center is there for them. In the past year, we succeeded in getting the wolf hunt cancelled in Wyoming, saving scores of wolves. We ended a disgusting wolf-killing “derby” contest on BLM federal land, and made Idaho’s wolf-hating governor, Butch Otter, abruptly end the mission of a bounty hunter the state had sent to kill packs in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. We’ll continue our defense of wolves, but we can only do so with your support. Give to the Predator Defense Fund, and we will commit your donation to protecting wolves in the wild. We mourn the 30 wolves needlessly killed this season in Idaho, and we will work without cease to save wolves everywhere we can. For the wolves, Kierán Suckling Executive Director · Center for Biological Diversity
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
Conservation Corner Conservation of Bats
When we think of species of animals that are critically endangered what might come to mind are wolves, rhinos, the Florida Panther, Logger head sea turtles, polar bears, the San Joaquin kit fox. However, not all animals that are endangered are ones that are seen on calendars or posters like sea turtles or polar bears. In fact, some of them are like us who like to sleep all day in the darkest of rooms and then come out at night. I introduce to you, bats. Through many generations, bats have been portrayed in a mythologized way like wolves. In movies, it is the blood thirsty Dracula that turns into the bat- like form that has similarity to a man who turns himself into a werewolf. Even though bats tend to have a reputation for being the star of horror movies, people are missing the reason why they are so essential. First of all, there are only three species of bats that live off the blood of animals. These are known as, “Vampire Bats” and none of them live in the United States. Bats make up a quarter of the worlds mammals because there are 1,100 species of bats worldwide. In the United States alone there are 40 species of bats and most them can eat up to their body weight every night in insects, this helps keep the bug population in check. Others play a very important role as pollinators. The droppings that come from bats are called guano and are one of the richest fertilizers. In fact, bat guano was once a major business because guano was Texas largest mineral export before oil. The question is, if bats are so great because some can pollinate, produce fertilizer, eat 1,200 mosquitos a night (None of us like mosquitos), and there are 1,100 species of bats, then why are bats critically endangered today? There are a few reasons why and one of them is due to habitat loss from building and development work which affects the
roosts that bats live in. The use of pesticides and intensive farming is another reason which leads to a reduction in the abundance of insects which bats rely on as food. Climate change may also affect the insect life-cycles which also affects when bats can feed. In addition to habitat loss, bats are also threatened by a fungus disease known as white nose syndrome. This disease was discovered in bats in New York State in 2006. The fungus would eat through the wings of the bat which in turn drains all the life out of it. There is treatment being studied to cure this fungus by using bacteria that inhibits fungal growth. Unfortunately, this fungus is killing more than a million bats a year because the fungus will grow onto the bats while they are hibernating and force the bats to use up all of their fat stores too fast and eventually starve. Taking climate change, habitat loss, pesticides and disease as well as the fact that bats only give birth to one pup a year, then you can imagine why they are critically endangered today. Fortunately there are a few things people can do to help. A couple of ways to help is by making bat boxes and bat-friendly plants in gardens. Bats like to roost in empty buildings and sometimes those bats are extremely vulnerable to human activity. If bats are present while work is underway or a demolition is taking place the bats population can be impacted detrimentally. Providing bat boxes can provide a safe environment for hundreds of bats. All bats and their roosts are protected by law. Help bats do their job by providing an environment like a bat box that bats can comfortably live in. The largest bat in the world is called the, “flying fox” and its habitat is located on islands in the South Pacific. The smallest bat is the bumble bee bat in Thailand which is smaller than a thumbnail and weighs less than a penny. Isn’t that cute?
big or small, I can do it all!
By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
Have you ever felt that your cat or dog can see something you don’t? Well, you may be right, according to a new study. Cats, dogs, and other mammals are thought to see in ultraviolet light, which opens up a whole different world than the one we see, the study explains. UV light is the wave length beyond the visible light from red to violet that humans can see. Humans have a lens that blocks UV from reaching the retina. It was previously thought that most mammals have lenses similar to humans. Scientists studied the lenses of dead mammals, including cats, dogs, monkeys, pandas, hedgehogs, and ferrets. By researching how much light passes through the lens to reach the retina, they concluded that some mammals previously thought not to be able to see UV actually can. “Nobody ever thought these animals could see in ultraviolet, but in fact, they do,” Ron Douglas, the study leader and a biologist at City University London, England, told LiveScience. What purpose does being able to see UV light serve for animals such as reindeer, rodents, and other mammals? It allows reindeer to see polar bears, for example, which would be invisible in regular light because they blend in with the snow. UV light also allows mammals to see urine trails. This would be helpful for prey animals, such as cats and dogs, to find food in the wild.
My name is Alison K. From big to small, my partner Josh and I can do it all with love and responsibility wrapped into one! I have experience with dogs of all sizes, ferrets, cats and horses. We live in an apartment so I may not have enough room for those much bigger breeds, but I am more than happy to pet sit over night at your home as well. Since I work and volunteer part time at a ranch with dogs of all breeds and other animals, I am familiar and sensitive to your pets needs. I also have access to on-call vets if ever needed. If your dog is with us, you will receive photos of our time together and you can email or call me at any time to check on your loved one. I am insured and bonded. Relax and know that your pet is safe and having a great time while you are away!
Alison 608.772.4249 PET sitter · walker · chauffeur · friend entertainer · confidant · personal assistant DAYS · NIGHTS · WEEKENDS · ANY TIME
dogvacay.com/pro/alisonoasispetvacay.com
Sources: bats.org.uk · batconservation.org · nature.org COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
What Cats and Dogs Can See that Humans Can’t: You Won’t Believe it!
·
2015
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
adopt US from
Tips for your animals in cold weather
SLV Animal Welfare Society slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter Monetary Donations Always Needed
Brrrr — it’s cold outside! The following guidelines will help you protect your companion animals when the mercury dips.
• Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze, become lost or be stolen, injured or killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious diseases, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife. • During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the car hood before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. When you bathe your dog in the colder months, be sure to completely dry him before taking him out for a walk. Own a short-haired breed? Consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear. • Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may opt to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
• Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can easily become lost. Make sure your dog always wears ID tags.
• Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep him, and his fur, in tip-top shape.
• Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice. Morton Pet-Safe Ice Melt
• Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center more information.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
AGE: 6 y 4 m · Black/White Basset Hound/Mix Howdy. I’m Bruno. I a big ‘ol boy that would love a nice home to live. I spend a lot of my time with my friend Roxy. I can be a little nervous in my kennel so please give me some time to warm up to you so that we can be friends. I really need a place to call home... maybe you could help me out with that? 2y4m Female/Spayed Well, heya! I’m Freckles. Yes, I’m pretty shy but given the chance I can be such a nice girl. The shelter environment has been quite stressful for me so I may hide under my bed at times. If I could go to a home of my own soon then that would be so amazing so that I can relax and be myself. Would you like to give me a try? I’m sure I’ll warm up to you if you are patient and love me for the great kitty that I am.
adopt US from TCRAS the no-kill shelter in Divide, CO 719.686.7707 · tcrascolorado.com
We have had Sam for 10 months. He was lost or abandoned in the wilderness. He LOVES to play ball and is affectionate. He does not get along with other dogs and has a high prey drive. He weighs about 50 pounds and is neutered. We think he is a coonhound/pointer mix, no more than 2 years old.
Cameron needs an owner who is in charge. 1 year old, neutered. Mix unknown. About 60 lbs. Gets along with other dogs.
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
·
2015
Winter Gardens
by Katie Geist
Gardens can be beautiful as they transition from autumn to winter. The weather gets chilly, frost nips at the perennials, grasses and shrubs. The fall colors fade to shades of rust and brown. The garden gets ready to sleep through the dark cold months. Some think this is the best time to clean up the garden beds to ready for next spring. While some cleanup is necessary, I prefer let the perennial gardens remain in their natural state through the winter. Untrimmed perennials and shrubs add an interesting dimension to
the winter landscape. Grasses will sparkle with fresh snowfall. Seeds, dried leaves and stems provide food and shelter to birds. Leaves help mulch garden beds and improve soil conditions for next spring. Winter is a beautiful time at the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center. The wolves will be active in the snow and cold, and are so handsome in their full winter coats. The gardens will be resting and preparing to be bigger and bolder next spring. Perfect!
COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
¡
2015