Purpose
This research is intended to identify and provide understanding of the physical, scenting and vocal expressions of gray wolves when confronted with different situations and circumstances that includes state of anger, danger, loneliness, intimacy, happiness and hunger.
Background
Animals just like human beings have distinct means of communicating to one another (Fromkin, Robert and Nina 25). They have been known to use body language, produce scents or odor and make sound to pass information and connect with each other. These behaviors, scents and expressions vary depending on the physical environment and the feelings of the animal.
Many animals communicate through smell. They produce hormones that trigger the release of pheromones in to the air. These pheromones have distinct smell that communicates the feelings of the animals. The smell is widely used by animals during mating.
Animals also use body language (physical expressions) to communicate. The dance, wave at each other, greets and moves their body parts to express affection and feelings. For instance, Chimpanzees greet one another (Waal 81) while elephants lock tusks to show affection.
The other common means of communication in animals is sound. Animals vary their vocal cords to produce unique sounds that are associated with a specific situation and feelings. These sounds can also be made through tapping of body parts as birds do. Many animals have been known to make frightening sound when in danger. The sound is used to call for help or tell counterparts to flee.
Questions
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when hungry?
Rationale
Grey wolves spend most of their active time walking for miles looking for food for themselves and pups in the pack. Consequently, getting food is a top priority for them. Just like other animals, wolves too have means of communicating to the members of pack about their state of hunger. This study shall be interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made by pups when feeling hungry.
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when angry?
Rationale
Animals become angry just as humans do. Wolves are known to prohibit mating of other members of the pack except between the alpha males and females. This condition has been proven to be a stressor for other older members of the pack. At times, the frustrated members may leave the pack to go and look for mates elsewhere (Bjorklund 18). This study shall be interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made by the frustrated and angry wolves that are denied opportunities to mate while still in the pack
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when in danger?
Wolves establish territories that they ruthlessly protect for their own survival. Often at times their territories are invaded by other intruding packs. The intruders pose danger to owners of the territories. Consequently, the study shall be interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made by wolves fleeing or reacting to intruding wolves.
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when in lonely?
A wolf that separates from the pack often walks for many miles in search of mates and company. In the process, the animal feels lonely as it traverses the terrain in search of new partners and family. To this end this study interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made by lonely wolf that has decided to separate from its pack
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when in need of a mate?
Gray wolves in United States mate during winter (between January and March) after spending time bonding and knowing each other (Lawrence 260). During this season, the alpha males and females sometimes move away from the pack to find a suitable place to mate. This study interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made by the alpha males and females during mating times.
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when happy?
Wolves are very playful animals that spend considerable time socializing with members of the pack. This study will be interested in indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made playing wolves.
- What physical behaviors, scents and sounds do wolves expresses when assembling members of the pack?
Alpha male wolf as the head of the pack is known to assemble members of the pack before hunting or when there is looming danger. This research will be interested indentifying the sound, scents and body expressions made alpha male wolf assemblies its members of the pack.
Hypothesis
- There are no distinct differences in sound, scents and body expressions made by three sample packs in similar situations.
Gray wolves are members of the same dog species, Canis lupus. Members of the same species of animals usually manifest similar reactions when confronted by same situation. For instance, horses rub noses to show affection. It is expected that the gray wolves samples will not show any significant difference in the sounds, scents and behavior under same conditions.
- Alpha males shall show intolerant behaviors and sounds to any member of the pack that attempts to mate
Gray wolves are strictly monogamous animals that disallow mating within the pack except between alpha male and female. Members who are not able to conform to this natural rule are driven out of the pack. It is hypothesized that the alpha males shall always be on the look to discourage any behavior that goes against the rule.
Methods
Place
The research shall be conducted at Yellowstone National Park in United States of America. This park was formed in 1872 to restore the population of gray wolves that was facing extinction during the time. Today the pack has about 95 gray wolves.
Time
The study shall be conducted for 60 days between January 15, and March 16, 2015.
Design
This study is observational research that shall employ the use of video cameras and physical observation of gray wolves in the park. It shall also involve analysis of secondary data and literature written on wolves’ odors and scents.
Sampling
Three sample packs of shall be selected for monitoring. Each pack shall have a minimum of eight members.
Variables
Three variables shall be observed, recorded and analyzed. The variables shall be sounds, physical behaviors and scents produced by the wolves.
Procedure
A letter shall be written to the management of the Yellowstone Park requesting for permission to conduct a research on wolves. Another letter shall be written to the identified Animal Research Ethics Review Board for approval of the research. Once, the approval of the research is granted by the both the park and board is granted, samples shall be identified by the help of the scientists working in the park. The alpha male and female in each pack shall be sedated on the first day of research and their neck fitted with Global Positioning System Locater Device. Three high resolution and water resistant video cameras shall be fitted next to the dens of each selected path. The wolves shall be physically observed and their sound and behavior recorded each day 3.00AM to 10 00AM and 5.00PM to 9.00PM. These times correspond with the time when the wolves are most active, dawn and dusk. The GPS locater shall give the exact location where the pack is for observation and monitoring.
Analysis
The recorded behaviors shall be qualitatively analyzed. Each recorded behavior shall be matched by situation captured in the research questions. The behaviors shall be tallied to get the dominant behaviors for that particular situation. The sounds produced by the wolves in specific situation shall also be analyzed using Raven Sound Analysis Software. It shall be described in terms of frequency range, pitch, intensity and loudness. The scents and odors produced by the wolves under different situations shall be identified and analyzed from secondary data that include research articles, scientific magazines, books and publications.
Ethical Considerations
Animal research just like research involving human subjects is supposed to be guided by ethics. In animal research the ethics border around number of animals, invasion, pain and benefits. This research does not involve taking body sample from the animals. Consequently, it is associated with no physical pain or suffering. The wolves shall be observed and monitored by the use of camera. Physical observation shall be minimized to ensure that the wolves’ normal lives are not disrupted by physical presence of scientist. In addition, the research shall produce findings that shall be very useful in understanding the wolves’ expressions. These expressions are used to improve their care.
Budget
Works Cited
Bjorklund, Ruth. Wolves. New York: Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, 2009. Print.
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman, and Nina M. Hyams. An Introduction to Language. Boston, Mass: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2011. Print.
Lawrence, R D. The North Runner. Toronto, Ont: Natural Heritage Books, 2003. Print.
Waal, F B. M. Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex Among Apes. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Print.
