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.

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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
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
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