BC sea wolves' crab-trap trick hints at tool use
B.C. sea wolves caught on camera using buoys and lines to pull submerged crab traps ashore, extracting bait with surprising dexterity.
Why it matters
- First evidence of tool-like behavior in wild wolves
By the numbers
- 2 wolves observed performing the behavior
- Study began in 2023; first footage captured within a day
The big picture
- Behavior suggests complex cognition and social learning among wolves
- Researchers speculate wolves learned incrementally, starting with traps exposed at low tide
What they're saying
- "It just adds yet another element to the package that wolves are incredibly intelligent," says Marc Bekoff, a professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology (CBC).
- Some commenters question if the behavior qualifies as "tool use," suggesting it may be more about problem-solving.
Caveats
- Limited to observational data; no controlled experiments
What’s next
- Ongoing 24/7 camera monitoring to track wolf behavior and prevent trap damage