Discovered 2 new gray wolves in Canada

The BBC's British news agency reported that Canada has discovered two separate gray wolf populations living in two adjacent areas in British Columbia - the westernmost state of North America.

The study results from a survey of indigenous peoples say that this is a land wolf species named timber wolf and wolf island named coastal wolf . Through DNA analysis from wolves, scientists determined that these two groups of gray wolves are completely isolated and different habitats may be responsible for genetic changes.

In a report published in BMC Ecology, the Victoria University team said they have focused on studying the Bella Bella coastal area in central British Columbia, including a large mainland area and five small islands.

Gray wolf on the island loves small seafood while the gray wolf on the mainland likes deer and other land animals.

The British news agency said scientists collaborated with Heiltsuk First Nation residents who had been observing the wolves for nearly a decade to draw the same conclusion. Professor Hakai-Raincoast and Dr. Chris Darimont - the key scientists in the research group, said the discussions with Chester Starr - one of the elderly people in Heiltsuk opened up a lot of public paths. this study.

"He asked if we would study wolf island or land wolf. I suddenly found this special because based on scientific knowledge at that time, we did not think of wild animal populations. living apart from a very short distance has such differences, especially when the wolf pack has a great swimming ability , 'Dr. Darimont said.

"Mr. Chester explained that timber wolf is a living creature on the mainland and they really like the mountain habitat, the timber wolf often hunts deer or the animals that live in their territory. However, coastal wolf I really like small seafood and he knows that these two varieties are completely different '.

Initially, the researchers rejected this idea because it did not fit into the current biological knowledge base of gray wolves. However, during further research, scientists also discovered genetic differences in animal populations that relate to closely related species that occur in sea turtles, fish and many mammals. .

By studying 116 gray wolves living in the Bella Bella area, the group determined that the mainland and island wolves had completely distinctly different genetic traits.

'Scientists should be skeptical but should not dismiss all ideas. Before that, in my career, I still think that ecological knowledge can only come from science. However, I was wrong and it was interesting when I learned a lot from the experience of the indigenous people , 'BBC quoted Dr. Darimont.

Scientists believe that the difference between land and island habitats is the cause of the differences in the genetics of the two gray wolves.

'The findings provide a new source of information about ecosystem identification that may be a factor affecting genetic differences. What is special here is that two different wolves exist only a few hundred meters to several kilometers apart, although they can easily swim to each other's territory. However, the different ecological features are very clear and it is obvious that the genetic inheritance is also different '.

Research data also shows that at present, wolves themselves are more similar to each other than the mainland wolf population. The research team said that the finding will support many research and conservation efforts by providing detailed information about the habitat of animals in the neighborhood, the British news agency said. .