A recent study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution has revealed groundbreaking footage of wild wolves in British Columbia exhibiting potential tool use behavior. Researchers Kyle Artelle and Paul Paquet deployed cameras near Heiltsuk First Nation crab traps in Bella Bella, B.C., in an attempt to identify the culprit behind the traps’ repeated damage.
Initially suspecting marine mammals, the researchers were surprised to discover sea wolves engaging in a remarkable behavior. The cameras captured a sea wolf retrieving a buoy from the water, pulling up the crab trap using the line, and enjoying the bait inside. This innovative behavior was later observed in another sea wolf from the same pack, suggesting social learning among the wolves.
Sea wolves, a subspecies of grey wolves, are known for their marine-based diet. The researchers speculate that the wolves may have gradually learned this behavior, starting with easily accessible traps during low tide and progressing to more complex actions involving lines and buoys.
Continuous monitoring with dedicated cameras is underway to study the wolves’ behavior around the crab traps. Efforts are also being made to minimize trap damage and support the ongoing study of invasive crab populations. Kyle Artelle emphasized the importance of further research to uncover more insights into wolf behavior, describing the current findings as just the beginning of a broader exploration.
The study has drawn attention from experts like Marc Bekoff, an ecology and evolutionary biology professor, who praised the research for highlighting the wolves’ remarkable intelligence and adaptability. This discovery adds a new dimension to our understanding of animal cognition, akin to the pioneering work of primatologist Jane Goodall with chimpanzees.
