This wolf is recognized as a subspecies of Canis lupus in the taxonomic authorityMammal Species of the World. The subspecies was first written of by Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson in 1829. He chose to give it the name occidentalis in reference to its geographic location rather than label it by its color, as it was too variable to warrant such. According to one source, phylogenetic analyses of North American gray wolves show that there are three clades corresponding to C. l. occidentalis, C. l. nubilus and C. l. baileyi, each one representing a separate invasion into North America from distinct Eurasian ancestors. C. l. occidentalis, the most northwestern subspecies, is descended from the last gray wolves to colonize North America. It likely crossed into North America through the Bering land bridge after the last ice age, displacing C. l. nubilus populations as it advanced, a process which has continued until present times. Along with C. l. nubilus, C. l. occidentalis is the most widespread member of the five gray wolf subspecies in North America, with at least six different synonyms.
Description
Northwestern wolves are one of the largest subspecies of wolves. In British Columbia, Canada, five adult females averaged and ten adult males averaged, with a weight range for all adults of. In Yellowstone National Park, adult females were reported to average and adult males averaged reportedly, with a mean adult body mass in winter of. More recent studies have reported the average range of height and weight in the north-west of the United States, both sexes were between tall at the shoulder. Here the weight of males was reported at between, while the females were reported at. Based on known reported adult average body masses, this would make the northwestern wolf the largest-bodied wolf subspecies. In comparison, the mean adult weights of its two nearest rivals in size, the Eurasian wolf and the Interior Alaskan wolf, was reported as and, respectively. Sir John Richardson described the northwestern wolf as having a more robust build than the Eurasian wolf, with a larger, rounder head and a thicker, more obtuse muzzle. Its ears are also shorter, and its fur bushier.
Reintroduction
In Yellowstone National Park, artificially relocated northwestern wolves have been well-documented feeding on elk. They usually stampede the herd using pack teamwork to separate the younger elk from the adults. They also will charge young calves separated from their parents. Winter-weakened or sick elk also play an important part of Yellowstone wolf diets and it is estimated that over 50 percent of winter-weakened or sick elk in Yellowstone are killed by wolves. Of these, about 12 percent of carcasses were scavenged by other predators, including ravens, bald eagles, black bears, grizzly bears, and coyotes. In the same national park, wolves also prey on bison, though such attacks usually involve sick animals or calves, as bison can easily kill wolves with their hooves. They are present in Canadian or British safari parks including Longleat, Woburn, and Parc Omega.
