Extinguishing a learned response in a free-ranging gray wolf (Canis lupus)
Canadian Field-Naturalist
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Abstract
A free-ranging Gray Wolf (Canis lupus), habituated to human presence (the author) on Ellesmere Island, Canada, learned to anticipate experimental feeding by a human, became impatient, persistent, and bold and exhibited stalking behaviour toward the food source. Only after the author offered the wolf about 90 clumps of dry soil over a period of 45 minutes in three bouts, did the wolf give up this behaviour. To my knowledge, this is the first example of extinguishing a learned response in a free-ranging wolf and provides new insight into the learning behaviour of such animals.
Suggested Citation
Mech, L.D., 2017, Extinguishing a learned response in a free-ranging gray wolf (Canis lupus): Canadian Field-Naturalist, v. 131, p. 23-25, https://doi.org/10.22621/cfn.v131i1.1951.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Extinguishing a learned response in a free-ranging gray wolf (Canis lupus) |
| Series title | Canadian Field-Naturalist |
| DOI | 10.22621/cfn.v131i1.1951 |
| Volume | 131 |
| Publication Date | July 14, 2017 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | PKP Publishing Services Network |
| Contributing office(s) | Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 3 p. |
| First page | 23 |
| Last page | 25 |
| Country | Canada |
| Other Geospatial | Ellesmere Island |