Wolf Social and Migratory Responses to Prey Changes

Haber, Gordon

Wolves in Denali National Park incur less risk by adapting to prey changes with social than with migratory responses. Groups of wolves in central areas of the park migrate seasonally to northeastern caribou wintering areas, leading to much competition and strife with resident northeastern wolves and other migrants; group turnover rates are relatively high in both areas. Wolves of the eastern, i.e., "road corridor," area are able to maintain long-lasting groups and develop high levels of cooperation in the presence of a more diverse prey base that largely buffers the effects of seasonal and longer-term caribou changes.