Social Relationships in a Group of Captive Wolves

The social organization of a group of wolves in a large outdoorenclosure was followed through several breeding seasons. Duringthe breeding season conflicts become more frequent and the socialhierarchy obvious. The more dominant animals restrict courtshipactivities by inferior wolves of their own sex. However, apparentlyas a correlate of their position, two alpha males have shownless mating activity than other males. Mate preferences exhibitedby animals of both sexes also limit the number of matings. Thepreferences appear related to the social hierarchy existingwhen an animal matures. Cultural transmission of social statusis suggested by some changes in ranking of wolves raised inthe woods at Brookfield. Temporary removal of the original alphamale and death of the original alpha female appear to have promotedchanges in social order and an increase in actual mating combinations.The probable consanguineous nature of wolf groups and facetsof the social behavior suggest that some form of group selectioncould be operative in the wild.     

The Changing Roles of Zoological Parks in Conserving Biological Diversity

SYNOPSIS. Zoological parks are evolving institutions in respectto the conservation of biological diversity. From past functionsin recreation as menageries and in education as living museums,they are coming to discharge these functions, plus other meaningfulones in research and conservation, as internationally orientedconservation centers. Education is the primary function in conservation,but zoos have begun to make significant contributions as geneticrefuges and reservoirs, especially for large vertebrate speciesthreatened with extinction. In developing this capacity zooshave fostered investigations into several facets of small populationbiology. These have extended to simulation modelling to helppredict the outcome of various combinations of ecological, genetic,and demographic factors on the viability of populations in captivityand in the wild. Because resources of zoos are limited in respectto their enlarged functions in conservation and research, theyare encouraging development of criteria to help prioritize actionsfor conservation of biodiversity. North American, European,and Australian zoos are meanwhile assisting the developmentof technical capacities among zoo counterparts, government agencies,and protected areas in both developing and developed countriesof the world to further the conservation of biodiversity. Similarinvolvement by other biological institutions and by biologicalprofessional associations can make important contributions topolicies of nations and actions of people that determine theprospects for survival of much of the biota.