Wolves from a Bird's Eye View
In summary:
In Yellowstone, wolves are a widely studied species. Scientists study wolves' unique behavior since they were reintroduced to the park after almost 80 years.
In Yellowstone, wolves are a widely studied species. Scientists spend a lot of time studying the wolves' unique behavior since they were reintroduced to the park after an almost 80-year absence.
We have a vast understanding of wolves thanks to decades of research around the world," said Tom Oliff, chief of natural resources. Observing wolves in the wild has been challenging, but the knowledge gained through direct observation has been invaluable."
Observing wolf movement from the air is the best way to study it. The Raven's Eye View of Yellowstone is a component of the Aerial Eyes project that is supported by Yellowstone Park Foundation (www.ypf.org) in cooperation with Canon U.S.A. Canon provides funding and digital technology to support an array of park resources management and education programs that are part of the Eyes on Yellowstone program.
In order to collect and analyze wolf data qualitatively and quantitatively, Doug Smith and Dan Stahler use a Canon EOS 20D digital camera body and a Canon 100-400EF lens (f 4.5-5.6).
A variety of behaviors have been documented in the park, including hunting prey, raising pups, and interacting with different species. With the routine monitoring technique of aerial radio tracking from fixed-wing aircraft flying high overhead, however, the details remain difficult to see.
Digital equipment has revolutionized this research. In a short time, high-resolution digital photographs can be taken several hundred feet above ground and then enhanced to study wolf ecology and behavior.
Stahler said the study was the first of its kind for wolf research. Identifying individual wolves and their role in the pack is of particular value." By using quality cameras, it is possible to determine the number and presence of pups in a litter, as well as if a certain pack member is still alive."
Using digital photography, Yellowstone scientists have gathered data that has never been obtained by other wolf research projects. Digital imaging and enhanced lens quality are key tools for studying and understanding wolves.
A camera-equipped aircraft monitors a pack of wolves in Yellowstone.
