01856nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007300041210006900114300001200183490000700195520131700202653001801519653001601537653002401553653001701577100001701594700002001611856004301631 2011 eng d00aUsing Stable Carbon Isotopes to Distinguish Wild from Captive Wolves0 aUsing Stable Carbon Isotopes to Distinguish Wild from Captive Wo a253-2640 v183 a

Morphological and genetic techniques for distinguishing captive vs. wild stock are often insufficient. We found differences in carbon isotope values from Canis latrans (Coyote) and Canis lupus (Wolf) eating wild vs. domestic diets. Wild canids in the Northeast have lower δ13C values because they eat prey that mainly feed on C3 plants. However, canids eating typical domestic diets have more positive δ13C values (≈+6‰) because of the Zea mays (Corn; a C4 plant) fed to domestic stock and used in dog foods. We applied this technique to hair and bone samples from eight Wolves in the northeastern USA, where no natural Wolf populations are known. Three Wolves had strongly negative δ13C values, typical of a wild-food diet, while the other five Wolves had more positive values typical of captive animals. As expected, we found no significant difference in ι15N isotope values between captive and wild animals. This new evidence suggests that, while some Wolves are escaping from captivity, at least three animals have apparently dispersed into the area. This finding adds new urgency to the preparation of conservation plans for the potential natural recovery of this endangered species in the region.

10aCanis latrans10aCanis lupus10adomesticated wolves10aδ13C values1 aKays, R., W.1 aFeranec, R., S. uhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1656/045.018.0301