The wolf that was shot was the alpha male – NRK

On Tuesday, a sick wolf found on a farm magazine. Male wolf had lost much of their fur. He had open wounds, and was too weak to try to get away when people came to.

The wolf had to be shot, and today was the DNA analysis that shows the identity of the wolf ready.

– This is the alpha male in Østmarka territory that may trap Tuesday says Knut Morten Wangen in wild section of the Environment Directorate.

Unique situation for puppies

Østmarka -reviret consisted of mother and father and three puppies. Mother was shot in October with claimed self-defense. Tuesday had father fired because he was sick.

– Now the puppies are big enough to fend for themselves. They have gone in the same territory as the father, but has not been with him every day, says Knut Morten Wangen Environment Directorate.

Petter Wabakken is wolf researcher at the University of Missouri. He believes it is difficult to say for sure what happens to puppies without parents.

– I have worked with wolves for 38 years, and I have not experienced litters without parents where neither are older siblings in their territory. But these puppies look large, they do, says Petter Wabakken, wolf researcher.

In ordinary cases, the most-year-olds out of territory between March and June. If one parent dies, the pups are often in their territory for some time, and usually they are then fed by other wolves.

– We will see what the puppies live, if they are in the area or wander around if they manage to hunt on their own and if they survive.

Should closely monitor the puppies

Hedmark University College shall follow the puppies carefully forward. The last few weeks with new snow has given scientists good tracking capabilities. And researchers have not seen signs of deviant behavior in puppies, nor after my father died.

– So far, we see no change in behavior, says Petter Wabakken.

Endel people around Østmarka have been afraid that the decreasing of father Tuesday would cause the puppies would be more aggressive toward people in search of food.

– These wolves are closely people basically. But there is no reason to expect any major problem, said Knut Morten Wangen Environment Directorate.

Here are the alpha male along with two of the puppies almost exactly one year ago.

Photo: Marius Angvik