US EditionWolves in Canada spotted using line to pull up crab traps in first possible tool use by the species
Researchers recorded gray wolves dragging crab traps ashore to access bait, sparking debate on whether this behavior counts as tool use or advanced problem-solving.
- Researchers have captured video of wild wolves in British Columbia pulling crab traps from the sea by their lines to access bait, suggesting possible tool use by the species.
- The footage shows a wolf towing a buoy and a crab trap ashore, leading researchers to believe wolves may learn from one another.
- Artelle, a researcher, expressed awe at the wolves' intelligence, stating, 'We had to pick our jaws off the floor.'
- Housty emphasized the intelligence of the species, noting, 'From a traditional perspective, we've always known that wolves are very intelligent beings.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Wolves Caught on Camera Fishing for the First Time
On the central coast of British Columbia, the Indigenous Haíɫzaqv or Heiltsuk Nation has been battling an invader: the invasive European green crab. The highly aggressive creature gobbles up native clam and crabs and damages fish habitats. To control this crab, members of the Haíɫzaqv community set up traps containing herring and sea lion meat. But they noticed that something or someone was stealing these traps, bringing them ashore, and grabbin…
Video catches wild wolf pulling in crab trap to get to food—but is it tool use?
Many animals have been observed using tools. For example, chimps tear leaves off of branches and stick them into holes to pull out termites, and wild dingoes have been observed moving objects to stand on to get to another area. However, despite being known as fairly intelligent animals, wolves have never been observed using tools.
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