Urgent: Wolf Caught Using Tools to Steal Crab Traps in BC

BREAKING: A wolf in British Columbia has been caught on camera using a tool to steal bait from underwater crab traps, marking a groundbreaking instance of tool use in wild canids. This remarkable footage, captured in May 2024, reveals the wolf’s sophisticated behaviors as it swam to retrieve a buoy linked to a submerged trap, a behavior scientists are calling a “new dimension” of wolf intelligence.

Scientists from the Haíɫzaqv Wolf and Biodiversity Project observed the wolf, which resides in the Indigenous Haíɫzaqv Nation Territory, performing a complex series of actions to access the crab trap. After swimming to the buoy, the wolf returned to shore and skillfully began reeling in the line, eventually breaking open the trap to feast on the bait inside. This extraordinary event was detailed in a study published on November 17 in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

WHY THIS MATTERS NOW: This discovery not only showcases the cognitive abilities of wolves but also challenges previous notions of tool use as a uniquely human trait. The video provides compelling evidence of how wolves may learn to interact with human objects, raising questions about their intelligence and adaptability in changing environments.

Kyle Artelle, lead author and assistant professor at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, emphasized the significance of this behavior. “This is a new dimension of wolf behavior we had not seen before,” he stated in an email to Live Science. “It shows how we have likely only scratched the surface of what the other species we share this world with can do.”

The researchers had initially set up camera traps to investigate damage to their crab traps, suspected to be caused by marine animals. However, within a day of deployment, they captured the wolf in action, revealing its unexpected ability to manipulate tools. The Haíɫzaqv Guardians, Indigenous people conducting monitoring on behalf of their nation, played a crucial role in documenting this extraordinary behavior.

The crab traps are part of efforts to eliminate invasive European green crabs (Carcinus maenas), which threaten local marine ecosystems by outcompeting native species. The research highlights the urgent need for effective conservation strategies, especially in regions where wildlife interactions with human tools are becoming more common.

While wolves have been known to exhibit intelligence, this footage is considered one of the best examples of their cognitive skills to date. “We realized this was important on the first watching,” Artelle noted. “Folks who know wolves well have always recognized how intelligent they are, but here is a video that really speaks for itself.”

The implications of this discovery extend beyond wolves. It aligns with ongoing research exploring the cognitive abilities of various non-human animals, including dogs and chimpanzees, which have demonstrated tool use in different contexts. This challenges the long-held belief that sophisticated tool use is exclusive to humans.

Researchers are eager to understand the mechanisms behind this newfound behavior. While the wolf’s actions could suggest advanced cognition, the possibility of simpler trial-and-error learning cannot be dismissed. Currently, no other documented instances of tool use in wild canids exist, making this wolf’s actions potentially historic.

As the Haíɫzaqv community continues to monitor the area with permanent camera traps, researchers remain hopeful for additional observations. The wolf’s behavior opens a window into the complex interactions between wildlife and human activities, urging further exploration into the adaptability of species in their natural habitats.

This urgent discovery not only highlights the intelligence of wolves but also emphasizes the importance of protecting marine ecosystems from invasive species. As we continue to share this remarkable footage, the conversation about wildlife intelligence and conservation efforts is more crucial than ever.