We monitor wild wolf populations by tracking them through forests. Through various ap-
proaches we can find out their population numbers, number of pups, diet and a host of
other information relevant to their conservation, such as the family tree of all wolves across
the country.
Now, wolf tracking adventures may sound quite niche or specialist, but they really don’t re-
quire any particular skills or equipment. In fact many citizen-scientists and hobbyists across
the continent have been eagerly following the return of the wolf. With a cheap guidebook,
you could track them too. One can simply follow their prints in the snow, counting the pairs
of tracks and measuring their sizes (females and pups have smaller paws). Another option is
to howl at them – if you’re lucky a wolf may just howl back (this really works!). On the more
sophisticated side, researchers often add camera traps: automatic motion-activated cam-
eras, usually attached to trees. But scientists’ recent favourite approach is genetic analysis,
which is known in science jargon as a ‘non-invasive’ technique, meaning no contact with
wolves is required. This is a godsend for modern conservation science, as direct observa-
tions of enigmatic forest dwelling creatures are just too difficult. So instead we can just col-
lect some wolf hair or poo from the field, and take them back to the lab for analysis. In this
way we can find out a whole load of other important factors for conservation, like their fam-
ily trees and genetic diversity. So from simple snow tracking, to fancy genetic works, we
(and you) can track wolves in many different ways!
In these ways without even seeing a single wolf, let alone having to catch one, astonishingly
intimate details can be gathered. And all of this data can later be used for the species’ con-
servation.
But what actually is a wolf pack?
A wolf family: an alpha male and female form the core of each pack, sharing responsibility for
looking after the rest of their family.