the kenai peninsula wolf ( canis lupus alces ) , also known as the kenai peninsula grey wolf , was a subspecies of the gray wolf , canis lupus , that lived on a peninsula in southern alaska known as kenai peninsula .

kenai peninsula wolf

image - kenai peninsula wolf . jpg | animal jam clans wiki | fandom powered by wikia
wolves still roam the kenai peninsula today , but classification in 1944 ( edward goldman ) separated the kenai peninsula wolf from these species , and their extinction as announced .
while there is a current wolf population on the peninsula , the lack of genetic similarity to the original species has resulted in a classification of extinction for the original kenai peninsula wolf sub - species .
canis lupus occidentalis a large wolf from western canada , also called the mackenzie valley wolf .
admin - i ' ll add a poll later - 1 i think the kenai peninsula wolf weight is exaggerated , and 2 , the dire wolf weight is underestimated .
x - canis lupus alces the kenai peninsula wolf ; one of the largest of north american wolves ; extinct by 1925 .
the gold rush in the late 1800s brought settlers , and the kenai peninsula wolf was often observed by people in the area . their population started to decrease as settlers hunted the wolf , and pesticides were used to safeguard communities . random sighting occurred up to the 1940s , but it is unknown if these wolves were direct descendants of the kenai peninsula wolf , or crossbred species .
if you have hunted wolves , or plan on hunting wolves , you will be hunting a gray wolf or a subspecies of gray wolf . the most common subspecies of gray wolf to hunt are as follows :
almanac : ready to rumble — kenai was grounds for evel vs . awful , peninsula clarion vs . cheechako news
two species of porpoise are regularly seen in the waters off the kenai peninsula : dall’s porpoises , and harbor porpoises .
that colonized the area , or the descendants of a few of the kenai peninsula wolves that had survived . it has been shown through dna studies that , at minimum , kenai peninsula wolves mated with other alaskan subspecies , as the structure of the current wolf population ' s dna is similar to other mainland alaskan subspecies .
five species of pacific salmon spawn on the kenai peninsula . all are routinely referred to by at least two common names .
anchorage , alaska ( ap ) — kenai peninsula wolves will get at least a year reprieve from state - sanctioned culling .
genetically , wolves of the peninsula were found to be indistinct from those of the mainland , so if there ever was a separate kenai strain of wolf , it’s likely now extinct . yet the kenai peninsula wolves were distinct in one aspect , albeit an ignoble one . they experienced a prevalence of diseases before their mainland counterparts .
kenai peninsula wolf was 45
at the shoulder ? so only a few inches shorter than a male lion ? and 200 lbs ? seems more like a fantasy to me . is there a paper describing a skeleton , or is this anecdotal ? i vote for the dire wolf .
canis lupus crassodon a medium - size , greyish wolf found on vancouver island .
if you hunt in alaska , you will be after one of these two subspecies found all over alaska and into the aleutian islands . these are the largest wolf species that you will hunt . one mackenzie valley wolf weighed 175 pounds . generally these wolves weigh in around 90 - 120 pounds . before it went extinct in 1924 , alaska was home to the largest recorded modern gray wolf subspecies , the kenai peninsula wolf that averaged around 200 pounds .
genetically , wolves of the peninsula were found to be indistinct from those of the mainland , so if there ever was a separate kenai strain of wolf , it ' s likely now extinct . yet the kenai peninsula wolves were distinct in one aspect , albeit an ignoble one . they experienced a prevalence of diseases before their mainland counterparts .
canis lupus griseoalbus a large wolf found in north alberta , saskatchewan , and manitoba .
canis lupus mackenzii the northwest territories wolf ; not recognized as a subspecies until 1943 .
the wolf population of the peninsula at that time was estimated at 186 wolves , with about 71 percent on the western kenai peninsula in what today would be alaska game management unit 15 , and about 29 percent on the eastern peninsula , today’s gmu 7 . about 44 percent were thought to be on refuge land . bailey expects that’s still the case today .
humpback whales are the most commonly sighted and abundant large whales in the waters around the kenai peninsula . watch for them in resurrection bay , in kenai fjords national park , and outside of kachemak bay .
between poisoning , hunting and trapping pressure and disease , the kenai peninsula has not proven a very hospitable home to wolves over the years .
“ ( the kenai peninsula wolves ) were the first alaskan wolves to acquire several dog - related diseases and parasites , ” bailey said .
( the kenai peninsula wolves ) were the first alaskan wolves to acquire several dog - related diseases and parasites ,
bailey said .
the kenai wolf was described and classified by zoologist edward goldman , it was apparently adapted for hunting moose so it ' s large size was beneficial , but when gold miners and settlers came to kenai they wiped out the wolves there . a wolf resurgence didn ' t occur until 1960 , however the new wolves were simply mainland wolves who had reached the peninsula . i think the size was probably exaggerated but they certainly could have been larger than their mainland counterparts , but i still favor the dire wolf due to it being an equally if not more powerfully built wolf .
the wolf population of the peninsula at that time was estimated at 186 wolves , with about 71 percent on the western kenai peninsula in what today would be alaska game management unit 15 , and about 29 percent on the eastern peninsula , today ' s gmu 7 . about 44 percent were thought to be on refuge land . bailey expects that ' s still the case today .
x - canis lupus beothucus the newfoundland wolf , now extinct ; reported almost pure white .
canis lupus columbianus a large wolf found in the yukon , british columbia , and alberta .
canis lupus hudsonicus a light - coloured wolf found in northern manitoba and the northwest territories .
canis lupus irremotus a medium - sized , light - coloured wolf from the rocky mountains .
if you hunt in idaho or montana , you will probably be hunting a subspecies called the rocky mountain wolf , generally a medium to large sized wolf ranging from 70 to 135 pounds .
although commercial fisheries and salmon processing dominated the kenai peninsula economy for much of the 20th century , the beginning of the “fish wars” was just on the horizon . in the early 1900s a newly built railroad set the stage for the first sport fishery on the kenai peninsula . it began with fishermen from seward traveling to kenai lake and cooper landing to fish for large rainbow trout . as word spread about the exceptional size of these fish , sportsmen from the lower 48 and around the world began traveling to seward and lodges on kenai lake and so began trophy fishing and guide services on the kenai peninsula .
x - canis lupus monstrabilis a wolf found in texas and new mexico ; extinct by 1942 .
kenai wildlife may be more special than you think
. peninsula clarion ( 2010 - 07 - 15 ) . retrieved on 2012 - 12 - 31 .
as a companion to marybeth holleman ' s presentation on her new book ,
among wolves : gordon haber ' s insights into alaska ' s most misunderstood animal ,
at kenai peninsula college on april 2 , retired kenai national wildlife refuge biologist ted bailey gave an overview of the history of wolves on the peninsula .
canis lupus arctos the white wolf of the high arctic , found from melville island to ellesmere island .
x - canis lupus fuscus a brownish - colored wolf from the cascade mountains ; extinct by 1940 .
canis lupus ligoni a small , dark - colored wolf from the alexander archipelago in the arctic islands .
x - canis lupus youngi the southern rocky mountain wolf ; extinct by 1935 ; light buff color .
though there are scattered reports of wolf sightings in the area during the 1940s , confirmed re - emergence of wolves on the peninsula didn ' t occur until the 1960s . the largest recorded individual wolf of this breed was nearly 4 . 5 feet ( 1 . 4 m ) tall at the shoulder , the largest wolf ever recorded or sighted . it is unknown whether the new packs of wolves represented other
the species in its hunt for the large moose that roamed the peninsula . they inhabited the kenai peninsula and adjacent areas in alaskait fed largely on moose which is how its scientific name canis lupus alces was derived . it would also feed on other large ungulates
both black and brown ( grizzly ) bears are found on the kenai peninsula . overall , black bears are more abundant , although in some areas and times brown bears predominate .
x - canis lupus mogollonensis a medium - sized wolf found in arizona and new mexico ; extinct by 1935 .
liz jozwiak and ted spraker ( december 3 , 1999 )
wolves on the kenai national wildlife refuge
–u . s . fish and wildlife service , kenai national wildlife refuge
i can ' t find any data about kenai wolf size other than the sizes already given , not even the kenai peninsula website acknowledges this subspecies , they just mention how wolves went extinct in 1915 then returned from the mainland in the 1960 ' s , they never say they used to have the worlds biggest wolves , you ' d think they would be proud of that heritage .
another interesting factoid is the appearance of kenai wolves . about 33 percent of wolves on the kenai were black in peterson’s initial study . over time that decreased 13 percent in 2000 .
instantly recognizable by their natty dark caps and black bibs , chickadees are common on the kenai peninsula . because of their bold dispositions and acrobatic natures , they’re a great species to observe . watch and listen for chickadees year - round , in forested habitats of all types . all kenai peninsula chickadee species give some variation of the familiar
tsikadee , dee , dee
call .
another interesting factoid is the appearance of kenai wolves . about 33 percent of wolves on the kenai were black in peterson ' s initial study . over time that decreased 13 percent in 2000 .
refuge notebook 04 - 30 - 2010 - kenai - u . s . fish and wildlife service
rolf o . peterson , james d . woolington and theodore n . bailey ( 1984 ) .
wolves of the kenai peninsula , alaska
. wildlife monographs 88 : 3–52 . jstor 3830728 .
symbols of the wild north , caribou are a sought - after species for wildlife viewers on the kenai peninsula . these
wandering deer
are native to north america , europe , and asia .
john toppenberg , a board member of the alaska wildlife alliance , said from soldotna that he welcomed the decision and that he continues to disagree with the game board vote to kill kenai peninsula wolves .
bald eagles big , powerful , sharp - eyed and dominating , bald eagles are perhaps the most famous members of the kenai peninsula’s bird world . you may find them year - round , anywhere on the peninsula , from the high alpine to the river valleys , but they are most concentrated along the coast .
in the 1800s and early 1900s , the kenai peninsula’s wolves were exterminated by miners , prospectors , and homesteaders . between 1915 and 1965 , wolves were only occasionally documented in the region . between the late 1960s and mid - 1970s , however , wolf populations increased as the animals moved into suitable habitats , reproduced , and established territories .
at the end of the day , we just aren’t certain about the degree of endemism in kenai populations of marten , red fox , and brown bears , nor in extirpated populations of native caribou and wolf . this area of science is ripe for more exploration including genetic analysis of the many specimens collected before 1920 and archived at museums around the country . ecological understanding always brings a renewed appreciation of wildlife that share the kenai peninsula with us .
the smallest of the kenai peninsula’s common owls , the boreal owl is about the size of a robin . like great gray owls , these white - spotted woodland owls hunt primarily by listening for the subtle sounds of their prey . smaller yet , the northern saw - whet owl is increasing in numbers on the peninsula .
the wolves inhabiting the kenai now are not original stock either . our current population descended from mainland packs that naturally re - colonized the kenai in the 1960s after an absence of perhaps 40 years . long - time trapper andrew berg saw one of the last kenai peninsula wolves ( canis lupus alces ) at the head of bear creek in 1909 , after a decade of persecution including the use of strychnine by miners . scattered reports of wolves indicate that they may have been present though extremely scarce on the kenai through the 1940s .
the kenai peninsula includes thousands of acres of national wildlife refuge and federal managers elsewhere have rejected predator control . the state could have begun killing wolves immediately on state and private land . vincent - lang said the department supports intensive management proposal on the peninsula but wants to increase its body of knowledge needed to inform its decisions .
in the early 1980s , kenai peninsula wolves began to show signs of being infested with dog lice . despite efforts at treatment , the animals continue to struggle with lice , which damage their fur and cause severe itching .
the kenai peninsula’s boreal forests and coastal rainforests , tundra areas and marshes are home to several species of owls . secretive , harder to spot , and less common than eagles , owls offer particularly special wildlife viewing opportunities .
if you hunt in the great lakes states , you will be after a subspecies called a timber wolf . this smallish wolf , generally 50 - 100 pounds , is found in this area and the northeast part of the us . it is often mistaken for a coyote , and landed some hunters in trouble in states that don’t permit wolf hunting . be careful when you predator hunt that you are really killing a coyote !
although native to the kenai peninsula , caribou were absent for about 50 years between the 1910s and 1960s . releases of breeding stock in the 1960s established two herds : one in the mountains near hope and one in the kenai river flats area . in the 1980s , additional caribou were released in the tustumena lake / caribou hills region , eventually establishing three additional herds . they are generally most accessible for viewing in the kenai / soldotna area .
170 - 180lbs was average for dire wolves not 110 . based on what reddhole posted . 2 . the kp wolf genotype has been so diluted that the original wolf is considered extinct . so people might want to think before they say
todays kp wolves weigh x pounds
.
both steller’s jays and gray jays are found on the kenai peninsula . steller’s jays are rich cobalt blue shading to black on their jaunty , crested heads . gray jays have downy - soft gray and white plumage and no crests .
canis rufus : a reclusive animal that weighs between 16 - 40 kg ( 40 - 80 lbs ) , the red wolf is generally a night hunter and travels in groups of two or three . scientists are in disagreement over the origins of the red wolf . some insist it is a genetically distinct species ; some assert that it is a subspecies of grey wolf ; others theorize that it is a hybrid of grey wolves and coyotes .
the department also will conduct baseline population work , he said , to determine the number of peninsula moose and wolves .
huge and imposing , gangly yet oddly graceful , moose are among the quintessential animals of the north country around the globe . moose are abundant on the kenai peninsula , where they’re not restricted to backcountry habitats—they often venture into suburban areas and are even known to stroll city streets . since they’re common , human - tolerant , and active year - round , it would be unusual to spend more than a couple of days wildlife watching on the kenai peninsula without seeing moose .
the board voted to kill wolves in game unit 15a , the area west of cooper landing and north of the sterling highway , and 15c , which covers much of the peninsula south of kasilof and west of kenai fjords national park .
on the peninsula today , the alaska board of game has initiated predator control programs , expanding hunting and trapping opportunities and allowing aerial shooting of wolves in some areas , in an effort to reduce pressure on the moose population . the u . s . fish and wildlife service , meanwhile , does not allow these liberalized wolf - harvest measures on the federally managed kenai national wildlife refuge .
canis lupus manningi the smallest arctic wolf , found on baffin island ; either white or light - coloured ; not recognized as a subspecies until 1943 .
low tide at kenai cannery , 1895 - 1903 . ( alaska state library , kate r . gompertz photograph collection .
they’ve had their ups and downs since the late 1800s , with pressure from humans being one through line in their history . when the gold rush hit the kenai peninsula in 1885 - 86 , the thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich brought a hefty distrust of wolves . apparently they feared a rabies outbreak like they had seen in the klondike , bailey said , so they used poison to reduce the wolf population . poison also was a method of choice for those wanting to harvest fur - bearers to sell the pelts for money during the winter . by 1915 , bailey said , the wolves of the kenai peninsula were gone .
last january , during the dead of winter on the kenai peninsula , i was lucky enough to be goofing off with my family on the yucatan peninsula . every morning we awoke to the calls of great - tailed grackles , ruddy ground doves , chachalacas , and yellow - lored parrots . coatimundis and agoutis shamelessly begged food from hotel guests enroute to their own breakfasts .
they ' ve had their ups and downs since the late 1800s , with pressure from humans being one through line in their history . when the gold rush hit the kenai peninsula in 1885 - 86 , the thousands of prospectors hoping to strike it rich brought a hefty distrust of wolves . apparently they feared a rabies outbreak like they had seen in the klondike , bailey said , so they used poison to reduce the wolf population . poison also was a method of choice for those wanting to harvest fur - bearers to sell the pelts for money during the winter . by 1915 , bailey said , the wolves of the kenai peninsula were gone .
wolves are often seen and heard in most parts of alaska by those willing to spend time in remote areas . the long term future of the wolf in alaska is secure , and alaska will probably continue to deal with the challenges related to the effects of wolf predation on big game populations for a long time .
swans—alaska’s largest flying birds—are often seen here . tundra swans and trumpeter swans are the two species that migrate through ; watch for them at potter’s marsh , tern lake , and the kenai river estuary . some trumpeter swans remain on the peninsula to nest on larger lakes . a few swans winter in the region , and can be seen on the kenai river where water remains unfrozen .
various studies of wolf ecology have shown that the balance between wolf and prey populations can be disrupted . for example , severe winters in combination with wolf and bear predation can drastically reduce a big game population . because many of alaska ' s big game populations and their habitats are less productive than those in lower latitudes and because predators such as wolves and bears are common here , human hunters have to limit their harvest in many areas . in some areas wolf numbers may need to be controlled in order to avoid relatively long periods of prey scarcity which could result in little or no harvest for people and also low numbers of wolves and other furbearers .
as a companion to marybeth holleman’s presentation on her new book , “among wolves : gordon haber’s insights into alaska’s most misunderstood animal , ” at kpc on april 2 , retired kenai national wildlife refuge biologist ted bailey gave an overview of the history of wolves on the peninsula .
yes . wolves were plentiful on the kenai peninsula in the late 1890 ' s . however , the gold rush brought prospectors to the area , and by 1915 wolves were almost completely exterminated by means of predator control programs using poison , along with heavy hunting and trapping .
typically one female wolf in a pack has a litter of about seven pups each year . this varies , in some packs more than one female may bring off a litter .
one of the most important fisheries that helped shape the history of alaska is the cook inlet commercial salmon fishery . the kenai peninsula has seen a tremendous history of canneries and buying stations since well before statehood . since the late 1880s , commercial fishing has been a critical part of alaskan economy and culture . settlers rushed to build fish camps throughout the kenai peninsula because of abundant salmon resources and other finfish found there . salmon packers built canneries at kenai , kasilof , chisik island , homer , and near tyonek . giant fish traps were constructed and dropped into the ocean to harvest salmon by the thousands . for decades , commercial fishing thrived in cook inlet . but that was not to last .
coyotes are also fairly abundant on the kenai peninsula , but their presence here may be a fairly recent event . after the extermination of wolves on the peninsula around the turn of the 20th century , the region’s coyote population began to rise . this expansion was part of a continent wide increase in coyote numbers . today , these human - tolerant canids are particularly abundant at the edges of the human world—a place that wolves avoid .
john morton is the supervisory fish & wildlife biologist at the kenai national wildlife refuge . he is also adjunct faculty at the university of alaska fairbanks . you can check on local birds or report your bird sighting on the kenai national wildlife refuge birding hotline ( 907 ) 262 - 2300 .
of all that is known and still to be learned about wolves on the peninsula and beyond in alaska , one fact remains consistent , bailey said .
in the case of peninsula moose , critics said , the board ignored the main problem — loss of habitat due to 60 years of wildfire suppression .
the rivers and streams of the kenai peninsula collectively produce millions of salmon . salmon are not confined to large waterways ; streams small enough to step across are visited by spawning adults , and some even lay their eggs in the intertidal zones of tiny creeks . these prodigal children of the rivers bring more than eggs to the rivers of the kenai . after spawning , they die , and their decaying bodies enrich the streams and forests with important marine - derived nutrients .
for a wolf to be that large , i think i need a skeleton to believe . the weight is more understandable than the height . that is just silly . is epicyon even that tall ?
wolves are not commonly seen on the kenai peninsula , although they are fairly abundant ( their population is estimated at around 200 ) . they travel the backcountry in packs of seven to twelve , preying on moose , caribou , dall sheep and mountain goats . they also hunt marmots , beavers and other small mammals .
at 18 - 25
long and weighing up to 4 pounds , great horned owls are the kenai peninsula’s most powerful owls . they are the only large alaskan owls with prominent ear tufts . great horned owls hunt primarily by sight . their populations fluctuate with the populations of their primary prey animals ( snowshoe hares ) .
few places offer as much to nesting and migrating waterfowl as the kenai peninsula does . the western flatlands are pockmarked with thousands of lakes , ponds and wetlands , wild and inaccessible , that offer solitude and outstanding nesting habitat . mountain lakes in the central and eastern part of the peninsula provide additional breeding territory . huge estuaries provide crucial calories for migration . during summer , a visit to any lake or pond is a chance to watch nesting waterfowl , and in spring and fall you can watch the migration spectacle at marshes and estuaries . in winter , many waterfowl species can be seen along the saltwater shores and open waters of the kenai river .
fish don’t draw just bears . when salmon are running , some of the kenai peninsula wildlife viewing trail sites are occupied by hundreds of anglers . wildlife viewers may find those sites busier than preferred during the short fishing season ( dates vary by run and location ) , but tranquil and great for viewing most of the year .
commercial fishermen and personal use dipnetters enjoy fishing the peak of the kenai river sockeye salmon run , 2007 . photo courtesy of pat shields , adf & g soldotna .
for kenai peninsula wildlife watchers , gulls seem to be everywhere . often gathered in large , raucous congregations , they are frequently dismissed as
just seagulls .
gulls are among the most challenging of birds to identify , but because of their abundance they offer lots of opportunities to practice—and their visibility makes them great subjects for extended viewing .
, or red salmon are named for their blood - red spawning coloration and red flesh . averaging six to eight pounds , they are associated with lake systems . the russian river supports perhaps the most famous of the kenai peninsula’s sockeye runs—where bright red fish leap waterfalls and dodge milling anglers , who can sometimes seem as abundant as the salmon
that roamed the peninsula . it is widely accepted as the largest known species of canid . the species was classified in 1944 as one of the four subspecies in alaska by
canis lupus lycaon the eastern timber wolf of canada and the united states ; it originally had the largest range of all of north american subspecies ; the first subspecies to be recognized in north america ( 1775 ) .
if you do want to hunt a wolf , the best place to start is alaska . the license and tag will cost you $ 115 . 00 . although you will have to have transport to alaska , and transport to where you can hunt , this is still a fairly cheap hunt and won’t require any draw worries . if you are seeking the ultimate north american predator to add to your collection , don’t forget about the wolf .
fairly common along the shores and rivers of the kenai peninsula , the river otter is the same playful aquatic weasel found throughout north america . river otters live in freshwater systems and in coastal waters , denning just inside forest edges and foraging on beaches and close to shore . they average three to five feet in length and weigh 15 to 35 pounds .
at the turn of the last century , the andrew j . stone expedition was organized to collect mammals and birds in arctic and subarctic alaska for the american museum of natural history . professor stone and his colleagues amassed 873 specimens of 28 mammal species during their forays to alaska that included staging out of homer to explore the kenai peninsula in 1901 and 1902 .
the refuge continued peterson’s study from 1982 to 1993 , capturing , radio collaring and monitoring 107 wolves on the peninsula . in that time human harvest averaged 61 percent in the early 1980s and declined to 14 percent in the late 1980s and early 1990s . however , wolf density did not increase with that decline in harvest , so it is thought that disease and the decreasing moose population were factors in the wolves’ decline .
in contrast to kenai wolves and foxes that were considered bigger than those found elsewhere in alaska , american marten from the kenai were smaller and darker than individuals from populations elsewhere in north america and are classified as a subspecies : martes americana kenaiensis . here again , the science is based on only six specimens collected in the early 1900s , and contemporary taxonomists have suggested that subspecific designation is unwarranted . ironically , daniel elliot , who proposed that kenai marten be recognized as a subspecies also questioned the subspecific designation of stone’s caribou as long ago as 1905 .
type for canis lupus alces goldman , 1941 catalog number : usnm 147471 collection : smithsonian institution , national museum of natural history , department of vertebrate zoology , division of mammals sex / stage : female ; adult preparation : skull collector ( s ) : c . lambert year collected : 1904 locality : kachemak bay , kenai peninsula borough , alaska , united states , north america
warblers and thrushes spend time birdwatching on the kenai peninsula in summer and you’ll notice warblers . only a little bigger than hummingbirds , these tiny birds dart like insects among the leaves , or perch to shout their surprisingly loud songs to the world . many seem designed specifically to blend with the willow , birch and alder leaves , sporting olive - green or bright yellow feathers .
the refuge continued peterson ' s study from 1982 to 1993 , capturing , radio collaring and monitoring 107 wolves on the peninsula . in that time human harvest averaged 61 percent in the early 1980s and declined to 14 percent in the late 1980s and early 1990s . however , wolf density did not increase with that decline in harvest , so it is thought that disease and the decreasing moose population were factors in the wolves ' decline .
the social order in the pack is characterized by a separate dominance hierarchy among females and males . in most areas wolf packs tend to remain within a territory used almost exclusively by pack members , with only occasional overlap in the ranges of neighboring packs .
similarly , wilfred osgood , during his biological survey of the cook inlet in 1900 , reported that kenai foxes ( vulpes vulpes kenaiensis ) were the largest fox known in north america . confirmation of this possible endemic subspecies was muddied by the establishment of commercial fox farms on the kenai between wwi and the early 1930s . these propagation efforts involved capturing denning foxes and sometimes cross breeding them with captive stock .
the expedition collected specimens of a presumably endemic woodland caribou , rangifer tarandus stonei , with a narrow and long head , and slender antlers with “unusual development of the brow antler and the anterior branch” ( see photo ) . the last stone’s caribou was killed on the kenai sometime around 1912 - 23 . the caribou that currently inhabit the kenai are descendants of individuals introduced by state and federal agencies in the 1960s and 1980s from the nelchina herd .
ptarmigan are close relatives of grouse , but where spruce grouse are forest specialists , ptarmigan prefer the open country of alpine tundra . there are three species of ptarmigan on the kenai peninsula : willow ptarmigan ( alaska’s state bird ) , rock ptarmigan , and white - tailed ptarmigan . in areas where all three species overlap , the birds segregate themselves by elevation , with the willows the lowest , followed by the rocks , and finally the white - tails .
when wolves re - established themselves on the peninsula they did so with protection from the state , with no hunting or trapping seasons . a hunting season for wolves was instituted in 1974 , with a trapping season added the following year .
alaska averages about 500 moose - vehicle accidents per year , with many of those on the kenai peninsula . analysis of collision data shows that most vehicle - moose accidents occur at dawn and dusk when moose are on the move . drivers should slow down and pay close attention to the road and roadside , being alert for moose . if you spot a moose on the side of the road , watch out for more . calves will often run after cows across roads .
arabian peninsula : subspecies : pallipes , arabs . status : in decline , < 300 individuals . range occupied : 90 % . main prey : garbage , carrion , livestock . legal status : no protection . cause of decline : persecution .
the wolf is the primeval wild dog , the largest wild canid , long a hunter alongside people , and ancestor of our most faithful domestic companion . wolves vary widely in appearance . their fur is thick and usually grey , but can vary from nearly pure white , red , or brown to black .
the first study of wolves on the peninsula was conducted from 1976 to 1983 for the u . s . fish and wildlife service on the kenai national moose range ( later renamed the kenai national wildlife refuge ) by rolf peterson , particularly noted for his study of the wolves of isle royale national park in michigan . three to seven packs were monitored in that time , and the study found an average pack size of 11 . 2 ( from two to 20 ) , an average pack territory of 246 square miles ( from 68 to 601 square miles ) , a density of 18 . 2 wolves per 1 , 000 square kilometers , and an average human - caused mortality ( hunting and trapping ) of about 33 percent .
alaska is home to an estimated 7 , 000 to 11 , 000 wolves . wolves have never been threatened or endangered in alaska . the food habits of the wolf often bring it into conflict with humans who in many parts of the world are also hunters of big game animals . although the wolf has coexisted with big game animals for thousands of years , under some conditions the impact of predation contributes to local scarcities of game which arouse some people ' s concern . in most non - coastal systems with moose and caribou , wolves and bears together maintain game populations below levels at which their food supply would be damaged .
red squirrels wherever you find spruce trees on the kenai peninsula , you’ll find red squirrels . the small , oil - rich seeds of the spruce provide a critical food for these hardy arboreal rodents , especially in winter , when other foods such as berries and fungus are scarce . in fact , red squirrels spend most of the late summer and early fall cutting green spruce cones for winter , and stashing them in semi - subterranean caches that are sometimes made up of piles of previous - years’ discarded cone scales .
alaskan moose are the largest moose in north america , and kenai peninsula moose are known as some of the largest in alaska . prime - condition bulls can weigh over 1 , 500 pounds and stand over seven feet tall at the shoulders . cows are smaller , weighing 800 - 1300 pounds . only the males have antlers , but both sexes have dangling
dewlaps
of skin under their chins . the long , brown and gray hairs that make up their coats are hollow , giving them insulation and buoyancy .
steller sea lions are among coastal alaska’s most watchable marine mammals . they are vocal , social , and fairly common around the kenai peninsula . sea lions are fast swimmers and are graceful and powerful in the water . because they can rotate their rear flippers forward to use as
hind legs ,
they are fairly agile on land . they
haul out
in large , noisy groups at traditionally used rock outcrops and beaches . they also haul out on buoys , where they may be seen bellowing and jockeying for the best spots .
the same challenges to the survival of a pack from hunting , trapping and other human predator - control methods exist on the peninsula as dr . gordon haber , the subject of holleman’s book , found in denali wolves , in that taking an alpha wolf has a disproportionately large impact than the death of a less - vital pack member . worldwide study has shown that when an alpha breeder is lost , pups survive 90 percent of the time in packs of more than six wolves , 56 percent of the time if only one alpha is lost and only 9 percent of the time if both alphas are lost , bailey said .
now that wolves are making a comeback and hunting them is not just a dream , how many species of wolves can you hunt ? north america has two species of wolves , the gray and the red . gray wolves are the most numerous and occupy the most of north america . the red wolf is rarer and occupies the southeastern united states .
the same challenges to the survival of a pack from hunting , trapping and other human predator - control methods exist on the peninsula as dr . gordon haber , the subject of holleman ' s book , found in denali wolves , in that taking an alpha wolf has a disproportionately large impact than the death of a less - vital pack member . worldwide study has shown that when an alpha breeder is lost , pups survive 90 percent of the time in packs of more than six wolves , 56 percent of the time if only one alpha is lost and only 9 percent of the time if both alphas are lost , bailey said .
• three common gulls are large ( raven - sized ) birds , about 24 inches long , with pink legs and yellow bills with red dots . glaucous - winged gulls have gray wing tips . herring gulls and thayer’s gulls both have jet - black wingtips and are difficult to tell apart . look into their eyes , if you can . usually , herring gulls have pale irises and thayer’s have dark irises . some gulls are hybrids of two species . on the kenai peninsula this is common ; virtually all of the gulls nesting at skilak lake are hybrids .
“the roles were kind of switched compared to today , ” bailey said . “back then it was the federal government that was poisoning wolves , and the state of alaska , at statehood , they changed the outlook on wolves . they made the wolf a big game species and they protected it and developed seasons . today it is kind of the opposite . ”
for the birds , the region’s estuaries and wetlands mean plenty of food : energy to carry them across hundreds or thousands of miles of inhospitable territory . for humans , this means outstanding birdwatching , including the chance to see not just lots of birds but unusual birds—stray migrants from asia , for example . if you’re planning a visit to the kenai peninsula during shorebird migration , check ahead for birding tours and other events designed to help people learn about and appreciate this phenomenon . for example , homer hosts an annual kachemak bay shorebird festival , featuring tours , presentations , and artwork .
the roles were kind of switched compared to today ,
bailey said .
back then it was the federal government that was poisoning wolves , and the state of alaska , at statehood , they changed the outlook on wolves . they made the wolf a big game species and they protected it and developed seasons . today it is kind of the opposite .
my family stayed in three rooms at kenai peninsula . each was clean , well furnished and had a great view from a sea cliff site , but very different thanks to the inspiration of the owner / architect / builder . one was mostly underground on the side of an embankment facing the sea . the second above the office with a deck and third , a more economical unit , was more conventional . check out their web site for pictures of all units . this property deserves all of the 5 ratings it has accumulated . it is very well managed with owner living next door .
or king salmon are the largest salmon . kings average between 20 and 40 pounds , but larger fish are not at all uncommon . the state record sport - caught chinook was caught in the kenai river . it weighed 97 pounds . a chinook caught commercially in southeast alaska weighed 126 pounds .
iconic birds of the boreal forest , spruce grouse are common on the kenai peninsula . they feed on a variety of berries , leaves , flowers and insects in summer , but their winter diet consists almost entirely of spruce needles . to collect the small gravel pieces that help them grind and digest this tough forage , they begin frequenting roadsides , streambanks , and lakeshores in august—so watch for them at dawn and dusk . they’re well - camouflaged , so you’ll have to look and listen carefully to spot them . scan for broods of chicks following the female . sometimes the male tags along as well .
birdwatchers on the kenai will also find thrushes : the familiar , ubiquitous american robin ; the similarly - sized ( but more gaudily - colored ) varied thrush of the coastal rainforests ; swainson’s thrush ; gray - cheeked thrush ; and the small , shy hermit thrush with its lovely eerie song around seward .
three species of loons nest on the peninsula’s many lakes : common loons , pacific loons , and red - throated loons . these large birds build mounded nests of shoreline debris just adjacent to the water ( loons are master divers , but can not walk on land ) . loon chicks can sometimes be seen riding on their parents’ backs .
aquatic invertebrates the rivers , streams , lakes and ponds of the kenai peninsula are full of bugs…and that’s a good thing . aquatic insects form the basis for countless wildlife food chains . they’re the primary food of juvenile salmon and other small fish , which are in turn eaten by larger fish , birds , and mammals . no bugs… no bears ! many insects that you’ll find in streams and ponds are juvenile forms of bugs that spend their adult time zooming through the air . others spend their whole lives underwater . some are extremely tolerant of pollution and other poor conditions , while others are so sensitive that their presence is used as an indicator of good water quality .
there are three species of chickadee known to breed on the peninsula . blackcapped chickadees , the familiar chickadees of the
lower 48
can be seen in deciduous forests throughout the region . boreal chickadees , with their brown caps and rusty flanks , are more common in dry forests of white spruce . chestnut - backed chickadees are common in the coastal rainforest .
no matter what you choose to hunt , the wolf has a long and infamous history , making it a prime trophy for the predator hunter . since it has long come into conflict with ranchers and competed for game with humans , it hasn’t always been popular . nearly being wiped out in the lower 48 states , it has recovered enough to be hunted in six of these states . alaska has always had a large enough population for hunting and trapping .
inseason management of the kenai river dipnet fishery is also the responsibility of the division of sport fish . the fishery opens and closes by regulation , and inseason management is required if it is projected that the inriver escapement goal ( as assessed by the sonar at river mile 19 ) for sockeye salmon will not be met or if the escapement goals are exceeded .
the board of game , a seven - member panel appointed by the governor that sets game seasons and bag limits , voted to extend predator control to two game units on the peninsula , continuing an aggressive approach to killing wolves , black bears and grizzly bears to boost moose and caribou numbers through liberal predator hunting and trapping seasons or professional culling , which usually means shooting them from the air .
in general , coyotes are small - game specialists , feeding on hares , marmots , small rodents , muskrats , and even insects , berries and fish , although they do occasionally kill a large mammal such as a moose calf or a dall sheep . they also scavenge carrion from wolf kills or winter - killed animals . coyotes are not social to the extent that wolves are , although they do sometimes hunt cooperatively , and family groups stay together through the summer . youngof previous years will occasionally help care for pups .
despite a generally high birth rate , wolves rarely become abundant because mortality is also high . in much of alaska , the major sources of mortality are : predation by other wolves ; hunting ; and trapping . diseases , malnutrition , and accidents also help regulate wolf numbers . predation by other wolves is a major cause of death because wolves defend their territories from other wolves . dispersing wolves ( e . g . , young adults ) are common but they typically find little suitable habitat that is not already occupied by other wolves .
harbor seals feed on fish , clams , mussels , and crustaceans such as shrimp . they are hunted and preyed upon by sharks and by transient killer whales . in may and june they tend to move to sheltered waterways such as the deep bays of kenai fjords national park , where each female gives birth to a single pup , often on an iceberg . harbor seals favor nearshore water and will also swim up rivers .
the wolf occurs throughout mainland alaska , on unimak island in the aleutians , and on all of the major islands in southeast except admiralty , baranof , and chichagof . this range includes about 85 percent of alaska ' s 586 , 000 square - mile area . wolves are adaptable and exist in a wide variety of habitats extending from the rain forests of the southeast panhandle to the arctic tundra along the beaufort sea . alaska is home to an estimated 7 , 000 to 11 , 000 wolves . wolves have never been threatened or endangered in alaska . they are found in nearly all of their historic range , excepting the center of urban areas , although they are found on the outskirts of anchorage , fairbanks and juneau . wolves are common over much of the state . the highest densities occur in southeast alaska , where sitka black - tailed deer serve as the major food source for wolves . wolf densities are lowest in the coastal portions of western and northern alaska . although the distribution of wolves has remained relatively constant in recent times , their abundance is influenced by harvest levels , diseases , and prey availability
southcentral alaska is a critical point in the migration routes of many species of shorebirds , whose annual journeys from southern wintering grounds to northern nesting areas can span thousands of miles . sandpipers , dunlin , godwits , whimbrels , curlews , plovers… the list of species can’t convey the enormity of the spectacle at the height of spring migration , when the mudflats and beaches of the kenai river estuary , turnagain arm , kachemak bay , and other coastal hotspots are blanketed with thousands upon thousands of fluttering wings , darting legs , and bobbing heads .
the salmon - rich waters of cook inlet in southcentral alaska have given rise to several unique fisheries over the past century . the kenai river boasts some of the most active fisheries in the state . thousands of recreational fishers flock to the crowded banks every year with their rods , reels , and dip nets , ready to take home their limit of salmon . alaska ' s recreational fisheries are a relatively new concept ( the majority of the state’s historical fisheries being largely commercial ) but have grown to become an integral part of the state’s income and fisheries management .


elattoneura is a genus of damselflies in the family platycnemididae .

species include : elattoneura acuta elattoneura analis elattoneura atkinsoni elattoneura aurantiaca elattoneura aurifex – goldsmith threadtail elattoneura balli elattoneura caesia – jungle threadtail elattoneura campioni elattoneura cellularis elattoneura centrafricana elattoneura centralis elattoneura coomansi elattoneura dorsalis elattoneura erythromma elattoneura frenulata – sooty threadtail elattoneura girardi elattoneura glauca – common threadtail , grey threadtail elattoneura josemorai elattoneura khalidi elattoneura lapidaria – rock threadtail elattoneura leucostigma – smoky-winged threadtail elattoneura lliba elattoneura longispina elattoneura mauros elattoneura morini elattoneura nigerrima elattoneura nigra – black threadtail elattoneura nihari elattoneura oculata – two-spotted threadtail elattoneura pasquinii elattoneura pluotae elattoneura pruinosa elattoneura souteri elattoneura tarbotonorum – stout threadtail elattoneura tenax elattoneura tetrica elattoneura vrijdaghi

elattoneura

south african western cape endemic . a record of e . frenulata from southwest angola belongs to a different , undescribed species ( see elattoneura sp . ) . known only from the hawequas mountains in the western cape . around half the range occurs outside protected areas and half within protected areas . the range area is restricted .
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thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the iucn red list of threatened species website , we are grateful for your input .
simaika , j . p . , kipping , j . , suhling , f . ( odonata red list authority ) & pollock , c . m . ( iucn red list unit )
justification : although this species has a limited range , it can be locally common and has a relatively high tolerance of different habitat types . it extent of occurrence is less than 5 , 000 km² . many river systems in the cape suffer from anthropogenic influences . however , efforts are underway to improve habitat ( through alien invasive tree removal ) and the species does not qualify for a threatened listing at present . it is currently least concern .
current population size and trends are unknown . this is a locally common species .
alien predatory fish ( e . g . , trout , bass ) , alien invasive trees ( e . g . , acacia mearnsii ) and human encroachment on habitats outside of reserves through urbanization are known threats to the species .
occurs within the protected areas of hottentots - holland reserve , kogelberg nature reserve , cedarberg nature reserve and table mountain national park . alien invasive trees are being removed from parts of the species ' range and this is proving effective . these activities should continue . research into population numbers and range , biology and ecology , habitat status , threats , and trends / monitoring of this species would be valuable . habitat and site - based actions are also required .
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joshi , s . , p . koparde , p . dawn , p . roy , and k . kunte ( eds . ) .
copyright © 2018 , all rights reserved . national centre for biological sciences ( ncbs ) holds copyright for all the original material and compilations on this website , although contributing writers and photographers may hold copyright for their material as cited . material from this website can be used freely for educational , basic research and conservation purposes , provided that this website is acknowledged and properly cited as the source . contact us to obtain prior permission for any other use , including for large data downloads and collaborative research .
no full diagnosis of this species is presently available , but mature male unmistakable in its western african range by combination of white thoracic dorsum and pruinose s9 - 10 .
streams shaded by forest . often with a gravelly , sandy and / or soft ( like muddy ) bottom and probably coarse detritus . from 0 to 800 m above sea level , but mostly below 800 .
map citation : clausnitzer , v . , k . - d . b . dijkstra , r . koch , j . - p . boudot , w . r . t . darwall , j . kipping , b . samraoui , m . j . samways , j . p . simaika & f . suhling , 2012 . focus on african freshwaters : hotspots of dragonfly diversity and conservation concern . frontiers in ecology and the environment 10 : 129 - 134 .
male ; liberia , nimba county , west nimba proposed forest reserve © dijkstra , k . - d . b . & m . darpay
male ; liberia , nimba county , mt tokadeh © dijkstra , k . - d . b .
male ; liberia , nimba county , grassfield - zotarpa road © dijkstra , k . - d . b .
fraser , f . c . ( 1948 ) . three new species of ethiopian odonata . proceedings royal entomological society london serie b 17 , 5 - 10 . [ pdf file ]
citation : dijkstra , k . - d . b ( editor ) . african dragonflies and damselflies online . urltoken [ 2018 - 07 - 09 ] .
african dragonflies and damselflies online is a collaboration between consent ( stellenbosch ) and adu ( cape town ) funded by the jrs biodiversity foundation . addo brings all available knowledge together of africa ' s 770 known species of odonata . read more . . .
by combining conservation ecology and entomology , our department at stellenbosch university brings together a considerable body of teaching and research expertise in the rapidly growing important field of conservation in agricultural and development landscapes . read more . . .
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to cite this page : myers , p . , r . espinosa , c . s . parr , t . jones , g . s . hammond , and t . a . dewey . 2018 . the animal diversity web ( online ) . accessed at https : / / animaldiversity . org .
disclaimer : the animal diversity web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students . adw doesn ' t cover all species in the world , nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe . though we edit our accounts for accuracy , we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts . while adw staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable , we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control .
this material is based upon work supported by the national science foundation grants drl 0089283 , drl 0628151 , due 0633095 , drl 0918590 , and due 1122742 . additional support has come from the marisla foundation , um college of literature , science , and the arts , museum of zoology , and information and technology services .
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