[SJackson]

Outdoors/Rural/wildlife/hunting/hiking/backpacking/National Parks/animals list please FR mail me to be on or off . And ping me is you see articles of interest.

[yesthatjallen]

A wolf spotted close to Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota recently walked within 5 feet of a group of snowmobiles showing no signs of fear — behavior that’s “extremely abnormal,” researchers said Wednesday.

Wolves are intelligent. They hear snowmobiles and see humans all the time. Snowmobiles and humans are now a part of their environment.

Since snowmobiles and humans aren't attacking them eventually wolves would learn snowmobiles and humans weren't a threat.

The danger here is humans mistaking this behavior as a sign wolves are "friendly" and approachable.

Snowmobilers need to understand this situation and not approach wolves. It might be a good idea for snowmobilers to carry mace and spray wolves when they come close so wolves learn a healthy fear of humans and they keep their distance.