Hybrids of wolves. Part two: what needs to be done to solve the problem?

In the first part of the material, we discussed in detail the situation with wolfdogs — hybrids of wolves and dogs in the wild. They do exist — and this phenomenon is truly dangerous! It was triggered precisely by the defective operation of the country’s management system, which permits the actual extermination of real wild wolves and categorically refuses to address the problem of homeless dogs that subsequently interbreed with wolves.

Now let’s figure out how this problem should really be solved!

So, the main threat is the loss of the true wild wolf in every sense: genetically, ecologically, and as an object of natural and cultural heritage. Yes, indeed: the Russian Wolf is also a symbol of our country’s wild nature. Allowing its replacement by a “feral dog” means irreversibly impoverishing not only biodiversity, but also losing something greater. For me personally, that means losing certain internal references. Losing the “system of coordinates” in which we determine what is “good” and what is “bad.”

Nature reserves and wildlife conservation in our country, in other countries and territories, or on planet Earth as a whole, have an internal spiritual aspect. The Ancient Forest is a genuine Temple. A specific benchmark of true value. I think it’s important to always remember this, in addition to practical and purely utilitarian tasks. Strategically, there is no task of simply preserving the wolf — there is the task of preserving the last intact ecosystems that we have not yet irreversibly damaged.

The replacement of wolves by wolfdogs is a recent and not a final process. Such hybridization has become irreversible only in some areas so far. In Europe, in North America, but not here in our country. While it’s not too late, we can draw conclusions and define a conservation strategy. No, not for wolves, but for minimally disturbed natural territories that still remain. And the displacement of wolf packs by wolfdog packs is a symptom; it’s an indicator of the degradation of natural ecosystems. Only by looking at the system as a whole do we need to formulate a strategy and act.

Look FROM ABOVE, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LARGE LIVING SYSTEM, at what is happening:

1. Wolf packs are effectively adapted to the vast spaces of their habitat range.
2. The territories of wolf pack migrations are shrinking. Logging operations are expanding. And in recent years, they have been joined by expanding private hunting grounds and tourist clusters in what used to be remote areas.
3. Trophy hunting not only deprives wolves of food, it also breaks up wolf packs. The first to be destroyed are the mature leaders. There is no one left to pass on the experience of collective hunting to the young wolves.
4. Internal defense mechanisms kick in: more pups are born, and the number of newborn females among them reaches up to 80%.
5. Young lone wolves and small groups of wolves, which can no longer be called a pack, disperse over great distances. Inevitably, many of them come out to populated areas. Wolf females, the number of which reaches up to 80%, mate with random males, including dogs (male dogs).
6. The most successful (surviving) groups of these wolf-dog hybrids (wolfdogs) form stable social groups. These are no longer wolf packs with a strict hierarchy and discipline, but smaller packs. They resemble feral dogs or jackals more. Smaller groups can feed themselves within a smaller territory. They master anthropogenic landscapes, no longer fear humans, and also feed at dumps near people.

Overall, SYSTEMICALLY, what we see in practice is an example of effective adaptation of canid predators to changing external conditions, as well as an example of ongoing speciation.

In the patchwork remains of natural ecosystems, interspersed with anthropogenic landscapes, small groups of wolfdogs capable of eating anything — from trash in landfills to large animals, both in the wild and around human settlements — prove to be the most successful. Wolfdogs occupy an intermediate ecological niche between synanthropic (human-dependent) populations of stray dogs and wild wolves. And from this intermediate ecological niche, they begin to expand their range, displacing real wolves and entering populated areas in the territory of weaker stray dogs.

Can this problem be solved by destroying wolves, wolfdogs, or dogs? Definitely not, because the problem is SYSTEMIC! Accordingly, the strategic solution can only be SYSTEMIC.

The essence is that different measures are required for wolf packs, the emerging separate biological species of wolfdogs, and stray dogs. I’ve already stated that we have three problems, not one: wolves, dogs, and the hybridization of wolves with dogs. Similarly, three different approaches are needed to solve the problems, and all actions must be combined into a single strategy and synchronized.

And “shooting them all” is certainly not an option! It’s time for us humans to grow into the level of managing complex systems. If you want to see how the “shoot the pests” option works, just look at historical examples. Such a method doesn’t work at all. It only causes more imbalance in the system and creates more and more problems. The “classic example” is China’s “war on sparrows” during Maoism or Australia’s “war on feral cats,” which seamlessly turned into a “war on proliferating mice” after all the cats were exterminated.

Therefore, let’s underline for ourselves right now (and hopefully pass this up to the officials), in big letters: THE FIRST THING THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS TO STOP ALL MASS KILLINGS.

We see how “effective managers” holding high positions introduce the following programs across the country:

— Extermination of actual wild wolf populations

— Extermination of stray dogs

— And a new phenomenon right now: extermination of the intermediate hybrid

Thus, the problem only gets worse! Officials, in their decisions, behave exactly like a pack of hybrids in the wild, which simply doesn’t understand what it’s doing. And while you can comprehend the wolfdog — it can’t find a place either among humans or in the wild — officials are, above all, people, capable of understanding the consequences of the decisions they make.

So! I promised my allies to present a vision of how exactly this problem needs to be resolved. I don’t know what’s in the minds of those “responsible persons” who decide to exterminate everyone! I can only speak for myself.

FIRST TASK: STOP THE MASS SHOOTINGS

Immediately stop killing homeless dogs, shooting hybrids and wolves in the wild. Right now, nobody cares who they see in front of them: a dog, a hybrid, or a wolf! They just kill everyone indiscriminately.

Therefore, I would introduce a FEDERAL legislative ban on the extermination of wolves and dogs, and also create an interdepartmental commission under the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation with other agencies, which would coordinate regional actions and issue permits solely for targeted regulatory measures. For example, when it’s necessary to remove a specific hybrid individual (or pack) from the wild that poses a direct threat to human life!

Stop everything else by federal order! Especially the issuance of bounties for wolf hunting in the regions, where money is simply “laundered” en masse from the budget.

These measures would promptly halt the destruction of the last wild wolves and protect dogs from indiscriminate shooting.

SECOND TASK: LAUNCH FEDERAL SHELTERS

Homeless dogs are the foundation of hybridization: it is precisely from these “forest-edge” groups that canine genes pass to wolves. We need to eliminate the source of hybridization, and that can be done by systematically working with stray dog populations!

Therefore, the federal government must launch a program to build and modernize shelters in every region of Russia. At least one large center + a network of smaller branches in the cities.

I would require the introduction of a single state standard, and all private shelters would be transferred under government control. They will no longer have to search for funds to survive; all of this must be provided by the government with official employment for all shelter staff!

And unified standards for keeping animals must be created:

• Mandatory sterilization of animals that are not intended for breeding.
• Veterinary diagnostics (vaccination, rabies prevention, and other diseases).
• Adaptation, socialization, and transfer to good homes.

For the latter point, a nationwide program “A Dog in Every Home” should be launched — with incentives for those citizens who take dogs from shelters into their families.

THIRD TASK: SPECIALIZED CENTERS FOR HYBRIDS

Wolfdogs require special living conditions and more complex expertise. Furthermore, some of them can be returned to their natural environment after sterilization; others cannot.

Therefore, on a federal level, specialized centers for dealing with wolfdogs should be created at leading zoos or regional wildlife rehabilitation centers. Mandatory genetic testing must be provided upon admission to confirm hybrid status and determine the percentage of “wolf blood.”

Regulations must also be developed for monitoring animals that can be chipped and released into the wild after sterilization (if the risk to humans is minimal). Or, in case of extreme hybridization, to be placed in a protected enclosure (like nature parks with large free enclosures) for life. But only in the case of high aggression or other risks!

FOURTH TASK: LAUNCH A WOLF PROTECTION PROGRAM

Urgently launch a state program to protect wolves. It is necessary to organize genetic testing of wolf populations in the regions to compile a “genetic map” of local groupings and identify where the percentage of hybrids is already high.

At the same time, prohibit wolf hunting so as not to break up packs and provoke wolf females to mate with dogs. Introduce differentiated quotas for shooting ONLY IN SITUATIONS OF CLEAR THREAT TO HUMANS and solely after confirmation that the particular individual is indeed dangerous.

As the basis of a wolf protection program, launch a subprogram for the reintroduction and preservation of “pure lines.” In other words, if in certain regions the percentage of hybrids is critically high, it may be possible to create “breeding” groups of wolves with genetically confirmed purity, which will be kept in semi-wild conditions and later released into nature.

Such projects already exist in the United States for the Red Wolf, although they launched them too late. And now they can’t restore the lost species!

Accordingly, within the framework of this federal wolf protection program in Russia, it’s necessary to remove hybrids from the wild and then send them to specialized centers. And if they are included in existing “pure” packs, hybrid sterilization should be carried out and the animals released back. This will allow the wolf pack to be preserved (not destroyed) while protecting it from further genetic degradation.

FIFTH TASK: BAN THE BREEDING OF WOLFDOGS

I would introduce a full ban at the federal level, with criminal liability, for breeding wolfdogs in the country. Nowadays, hybrids are created specifically for sale to private owners under the label “Own your personal wolf”! Because of the wolf genes in these “exotic specimens,” conflicts with humans arise later, causing people to simply abandon these hybrids on the street.

It’s important to understand that the spread of hybrids is DANGEROUS FOR WILD NATURE, and therefore corresponding bans should be legally established.

Roughly speaking, no one would think of running genetic experiments by crossing bears and beavers, or messing with the genes of foxes by crossing them with rabbits in a laboratory setting to sell them as “exotics,” right?

So my position is absolute — legally ban the crossing of wolves and dogs. And also require the forced sterilization of “domestic” hybrids if there are no special certified permits! In rare cases, it may be allowed.

SIXTH TASK: CONTROL OVER DOMESTIC DOGS

The lack of control and government programs for stray dogs is the fault of the management system, of those “responsible persons” who make decisions holding high positions. And it’s people themselves who are guilty of throwing dogs out on the streets, taking them in, playing with them, and then discarding them.

Therefore, at the federal level, I would introduce:

• Mandatory registration and chipping of all dogs. They are NOT TOYS! If you take a dog, you must become accustomed to responsibility.
• A ban on free roaming without supervision.

All this must be accompanied by strict fines and real accountability. If a family bought a puppy for a child, and when the child got bored, they threw it out on the street, then the law MUST respond in such a case.

SEVENTH TASK: EDUCATION

Launch governmental and regional programs aimed at mass public awareness, explaining the dangers of hybrids for ecosystems and people. It’s absolutely necessary to eliminate the myth (which I’ve personally encountered in people’s minds) that a hybrid is “better” than a pure wolf or “better” than a dog. We must instill in society an understanding that the wolf is a valuable and self-sufficient species in the wild, while the dog is a human companion, and their spontaneous mixing leads to catastrophic consequences.

We need to restore the WOLF’S IMAGE as the guardian of wild nature, not a human enemy. And we need to promote responsible pet ownership in society.

HOW MUCH TIME IS NEEDED?

It’s impossible to remove all hybrids from the wild “tomorrow,” even with an unlimited budget and full state support. Just as it’s impossible to instantly change societal thinking and restructure the management system!

But in reality, based on years of studying the issue, I can say that it can be done within 5–10 years. Whereas in 15–20 years, the problem of wolf-dog hybridization could be fully resolved, real WILD WOLF PACKS could be restored, and the stray dog issue could be solved in the country.

We will foster humanity and love for nature in society, expanding our horizons of knowledge! We will be able to protect wolves, hybrids, and street dogs from the total shootings that our authorities are already carrying out.

Right now the animals are in danger! In real danger:

• REAL WOLF PACKS ARE DYING OUT, WE ARE LOSING THE GENOTYPE OF THE RUSSIAN WOLF

  
  

• STRAY DOGS ARE ALREADY BEING SIMPLY DESTROYED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL

  
  
• IN REGIONS, WOLFDOGS HAVE BEEN LISTED AS HUNTING RESOURCES, AND THEY ARE ALREADY BEING EXTERMINATED

Thus, the entire “solution” of the officials boils down to simply destroying them all. And nobody is even trying to assess the consequences of these appalling measures.

Be sure to: 

• Read the first part of the material to understand how hybrids emerge and why they’re truly dangerous for nature
• Take part in our public initiative to protect wolves

© PAVEL PASHKOV