what are ghost wolves?
|
Our research story began when we investigated the "strange looking" coyotes reported by a curious citizen (Ron Wooten). His beautiful photographs showed canids that did not resemble typical coyotes; rather, they exhibited some red wolf features. This is surprising as red wolves were declared extinct in the wild by the US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) in 1980. The Gulf Coast Canine Project Team quickly formed to study two genetic samples of Galveston's very mysterious coyotes. Our research started to reveal why these animals were indeed a curiosity! The coyotes living in and around Galveston Island carry surprisingly high amounts of red wolf genetic ancestry. These animals carry both an incredible history in their DNA but also could be a life-saver for the critically endangered red wolf.
The red wolf is a canid that is larger than a typical coyote and exhibits distinct behaviors, vocalizations, and physical features. Historical records show a large range of the species from southern Texas to the Pennsylvania and the southern reaches of the Great Lakes. By the mid-1900s, the United States saw a crash in gray wolves and red wolves due to a few centuries of bounty programs that targeted these species for elimination. The last red wolves seen in the wild by the 1970s resided in the counties along the Gulf Coast of eastern Texas and southwestern Louisiana. The FWS developed a plan to help prevent the extinction of the red wolf by capturing "the last" 14 red wolves from the wild and moved them into a captive facility at the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington. The job of these last 14 red wolves was to reproduce and save the species. Once these wolves were removed from the wild in 1977, the FWS then declared them extinct in the wild by 1980. Over time, this captive population has grown from 14 animals to ~250 wolves. A new population of red wolves was founded in North Carolina in 1980 by the release of 8 wolves (4 males, 4 females). That population has grown over the years to around 150 wolves at its largest size. Today, sadly, only a few remain in the wild. Interestingly, as the red wolf species was declining in the wild, the last wolves reproduced with local coyotes. These interbreeding events resulted in the red wolves passing their genes into the coyote populations. Over time, red wolf genes have persisted in the genome of coyotes living in the Gulf Coast regions of Texas and Louisiana. Because these coyotes carry genes from the pre-extinct-in-the-wild red wolves, that has earned them the name of "Ghost wolf", or Canis spiritus as a scientific suggestion to declare their unique evolutionary history and relation to other canines. Galveston Island has a thriving population of ghost wolves that are easy to observe on a daily basis. This is not possible anywhere else! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Check out the ghost wolves on the documentary series Chasing The Tide and a teaser clip (courtesy, Chrissy and Jay Kleberg)! |
|
|
|
|
CoexistenceFor communities that share their space with coyotes, there are many ways in which conflicts can be avoided or reduced with these local fuzzy residents. Lethal control (e.g., poison, snares, shooting) often can be indiscriminate (killing off target animals) and results in a “rebound effect” for coyotes, or a surge in their reproductive rates paired with a disrupted social hierarchy. This effect means that more females will produce pups who will then grow up in a weakened family group. When social hierarchy is altered, there is a breakdown of learning and cultural transmission. The younger individuals rely upon the mature, experienced older adults for knowledge on how to coexist in an urbanized landscape.
|
|
Without these sage coyotes, inexperienced animals may encounter more negative interactions within their dominated habitat. Hence, non-lethal programs are more effective and affordable for human communities to coexist with coyotes. Although relocation of coyotes can be considered a non-lethal strategy, coyotes removed from an area will quickly be replaced by transient ones looking for a vacant home range. If the root causes of human-coyote conflicts have not been addressed, incoming coyotes may quickly become nuisance coyotes as well. It is far better to have well-behaved resident coyotes who will hold territories and keep transients at bay then to risk having to deal with newcomers who do not know the “rules.”
Case study of the mobility of Galveston's ghost wolves
A yearling male coyote (weighing 28 lbs) was captured and collared by Josh Henderson (Exec Director, Galveston Island Humane Society) on Galveston City's East Beach. The collars we use contain a global positioning system (GSP) device that will "ping" or record the collar's location every 4 hours. We were able to track this male's location for the next 472 days following his release (image on the lower left). The yellow dots indicate every location pinged by his GPS collar. While wearing his collar, this coyote traveled a total of 2,095 miles from East Beach to Port O'Connor (118 miles away). Although clearly on the move, this coyote spent a substantial amount of time in Galveston neighborhoods and seemed to especially be partial for coastal habitat spaces that consist of scrub brush, salt flats, and sand dunes (image on the lower right). This male also spent time just across the inter-coastal waterway on the mainland, seemingly using vehicular bridges but also possibly swimming when possible to travel between the Island and mainland Texas several times. His travel patterns suggest to us that he is likely a transient looking for a vacant territory for him to take ownership. He has shown a truly remarkable journey.
A yearling male coyote (weighing 28 lbs) was captured and collared by Josh Henderson (Exec Director, Galveston Island Humane Society) on Galveston City's East Beach. The collars we use contain a global positioning system (GSP) device that will "ping" or record the collar's location every 4 hours. We were able to track this male's location for the next 472 days following his release (image on the lower left). The yellow dots indicate every location pinged by his GPS collar. While wearing his collar, this coyote traveled a total of 2,095 miles from East Beach to Port O'Connor (118 miles away). Although clearly on the move, this coyote spent a substantial amount of time in Galveston neighborhoods and seemed to especially be partial for coastal habitat spaces that consist of scrub brush, salt flats, and sand dunes (image on the lower right). This male also spent time just across the inter-coastal waterway on the mainland, seemingly using vehicular bridges but also possibly swimming when possible to travel between the Island and mainland Texas several times. His travel patterns suggest to us that he is likely a transient looking for a vacant territory for him to take ownership. He has shown a truly remarkable journey.
Case study of a resident Galveston ghost wolf
In contrast to the wanderlust of a yearling male, this male coyote has traveled the Island (image on the lower left). But we also captured his lifestyle after he found a vacant spot of lovely habitat where he settled down into his own territory in Jamacia Beach. He still may venture out for a day trip across the Island, he returns to his little spot among the matrix of beach homes and roads on the west end. This male spends most of his time in just 6 squire miles of coastal habitat or large open fields and enjoys the salt marsh on the bay side of the Island. He does frequent the beach side dunes and can sometimes be seen traveling through the neighborhood. The valuable natural space in this area provides all the seclusion, safety, and sustenance to allow him to thrive. From his GPS pinged locations (blue dots, image on the lower right), it is easy to see how he navigates in-between buildings, homes, roads, and other human changes to his landscape. Yet, he is spending the majority of his time on the periphery of a developed neighborhood. This amount of data truly displays what a resident coyote's lifestyle is, how they find and use optimal habitat, which clearly define their home territory.
In contrast to the wanderlust of a yearling male, this male coyote has traveled the Island (image on the lower left). But we also captured his lifestyle after he found a vacant spot of lovely habitat where he settled down into his own territory in Jamacia Beach. He still may venture out for a day trip across the Island, he returns to his little spot among the matrix of beach homes and roads on the west end. This male spends most of his time in just 6 squire miles of coastal habitat or large open fields and enjoys the salt marsh on the bay side of the Island. He does frequent the beach side dunes and can sometimes be seen traveling through the neighborhood. The valuable natural space in this area provides all the seclusion, safety, and sustenance to allow him to thrive. From his GPS pinged locations (blue dots, image on the lower right), it is easy to see how he navigates in-between buildings, homes, roads, and other human changes to his landscape. Yet, he is spending the majority of his time on the periphery of a developed neighborhood. This amount of data truly displays what a resident coyote's lifestyle is, how they find and use optimal habitat, which clearly define their home territory.
See a ghost wolf or a fancy coyote? Please report it!
Please use the City of Galveston's online form to submit a sighting of a canid.
Please use the City of Galveston's online form to submit a sighting of a canid.
June 2024
send your comment to the texas general land office (glo) for dune protection
Dear Friends and Galveston ghost wolf supporters:
Those of us concerned with protecting Galveston’s unique wildlife habitat (including our beaches) have an opportunity to make our voices heard by sending an email (or letter) in response to this call to action. Jeffrey Hill, respected Galveston conservation leader and former Planning Commissioner, has provided guidance for individual responses below. The City of Galveston’s proposed amended Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan has been placed, by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), in the Texas Register for a 30-day public review and comment period which ends on July 8, 2024.
Our position is OPPOSED to the “Variance for Use of Reinforced Concrete within 200 feet of the Line of Vegetation” (31 TAC §15.36)
It is critical that we come together, take a stand, and defend the fragile ecosystems on our beaches. To have your voice heard and advocate for these ecosystems and habitat, please EMAIL CONTACT (BEFORE JULY 8): [email protected]
Our opposition is based on reasons including:
Thank you!
Dr. Bridgett vonHoldt, Associate Professor @ Princeton University and Co-Director of the Gulf Coast Canine Project
Those of us concerned with protecting Galveston’s unique wildlife habitat (including our beaches) have an opportunity to make our voices heard by sending an email (or letter) in response to this call to action. Jeffrey Hill, respected Galveston conservation leader and former Planning Commissioner, has provided guidance for individual responses below. The City of Galveston’s proposed amended Dune Protection and Beach Access Plan has been placed, by the Texas General Land Office (GLO), in the Texas Register for a 30-day public review and comment period which ends on July 8, 2024.
Our position is OPPOSED to the “Variance for Use of Reinforced Concrete within 200 feet of the Line of Vegetation” (31 TAC §15.36)
It is critical that we come together, take a stand, and defend the fragile ecosystems on our beaches. To have your voice heard and advocate for these ecosystems and habitat, please EMAIL CONTACT (BEFORE JULY 8): [email protected]
Our opposition is based on reasons including:
- The area where this variance is proposed (Tiara development on the West End) is THE FASTEST ERODING BEACHFRONT ON GALVESTON ISLAND. Adding reinforced concrete to this fragile area further threatens this beach.
- The GLO is required to protect the public beach from erosion and from adverse effects on public access by regulating beachfront construction. A storm could easily wash tons of reinforced concrete onto the public beach and threaten public access and safety.
- Allowing reinforced concrete within 200 feet of vegetation would be permitting one more large complex structure to be built on this highly sensitive and eroding beach. This is not an equitable use of a public beach and actually puts it in peril. (Tiara could soon be followed by Solarus)
- This stretch of beach is important habitat for Galveston’s genetically unique ghost wolves, along with other area wildlife. Allowing variances such as this further threaten wildlife access to this habitat.
Thank you!
Dr. Bridgett vonHoldt, Associate Professor @ Princeton University and Co-Director of the Gulf Coast Canine Project
April 2024
the ten-story west end solarus project vote at city council was deferred
The West End Solarus Project (Planning Case 23P-091) was on the City Council meeting agenda for April 25th, a public hearing. A review on this planning case is that the Planning Commission previously voted unanimously to NOT recommend this case for approval citing building height should comply with LDR standards, as should offsetting Community Benefits provided by the project. The developer made some changes after that previous defeat and a revised plan was to be heard by Council on April 25th. As stated, some changes were made since Planning Commission review. However, the PUD still contains ELEVEN deviations, including a floor area ratio that is almost double that allowed without the PUD (2.92 vs 1.5 allowed). The building height is now 145.91’ vs. a max of 105’ from grade allowable - therefore it does not comply with the standards that Planning Commission wanted to see. The developer was “promising” community benefits such as donations to charities in our city, you will note that the ordinance still relieves him of ALL requirements to do so. In other words, he asked city leaders to trust that his HOA will have sufficient funds and will make these donations out of the goodness of their hearts, not because they are required to. This means that the two MAJOR reasons Planning Commission cited for their rejection still exist.
The City Council meeting outcome: Councilmen said if it went up for vote tonight it would have failed. The room was packed. The developer thought they had a chance with City Council after Planning Commission unanimously rejected it, but the big turnout turned the tide!! The developer can still come back later but they were clearly not happy with this outcome. Marie Robb (Solarus is in her district) gave passionate plea to just vote it down tonight, but Council voted to defer. Thanks to all who sent email, submitted comments, and showed up in person to share your voice!!
The City Council meeting outcome: Councilmen said if it went up for vote tonight it would have failed. The room was packed. The developer thought they had a chance with City Council after Planning Commission unanimously rejected it, but the big turnout turned the tide!! The developer can still come back later but they were clearly not happy with this outcome. Marie Robb (Solarus is in her district) gave passionate plea to just vote it down tonight, but Council voted to defer. Thanks to all who sent email, submitted comments, and showed up in person to share your voice!!
Help save the habitat on galveston
|
We want to encourage anyone who also wants to donate to Artist Boat to consider their "Be One In A Million" funding program. Help Artist Boat raise $10 million dollars in the next two years to protect and finish the purchase of 1,400 acres of precious wetlands and endangered coastal prairies on the Texas coast (image on the right). To date, Artist Boat has spent $17.7 million dollars (started in 2008) with all land purchased in parcels at ~100 acres in size. They have saved 898 acres of the 1,400 acre target to date and are working on their next acquisition of 140 acres. The Anchor Bay Peninsula will be developed into 52 houses, displacing 697 species of wildlife unless Artist Boat can raise enough money to purchase the land for permanent protection. Every ten dollars donated leverages $10 in Conservation Grants.
|
|
March 2024
Paving Paradise continues: west end and solaris' development with multiple exceptions -- speak out at the planning commission meeting |
|
Galveston’s habitat and wildlife that thrive on the island str facing yet another development proposal for high density plans. This time, another large-scale beachfront planned unit development (PUD) condo project is in the works for the West End (between the Tiara project and the existing Seascape development), to the west of the terminus of the Seawall. It is on a vulnerable piece of land, subject to extreme erosion. Please review the details of the staff report for the proposed PUD (23P-091) that was recently presented at Galveston Island’s Planning Commission. Since, a few changes had been made to the report (see Memo for those edits).
The developer is from Montgomery Co. and has asked for TWELVE deviations (e.g., legal exceptions) for their PUD, including a building plan for a structure that would be up to eleven floors—a height increase to 149.5 ft from 105 ft, increasing the floor-to-area ratio (FAR) from 1.5 to 2.94, and eliminating all Open Space. This landowner has every right to develop his land. He should simply have to do so within the parameters of the Zoning designation of the land as he purchased it. As the project stands, it would NOT be able to receive a Beachfront Construction Certificate from the City of Galveston’s Coastal Resources Division (noted on page one of the staff report) due to the use of reinforced concrete. However, despite all of this, staff still recommended approval with conditions.
Numerous Seascape residents showed up to speak against the project at the previous Planning Commission meeting. Ultimately, the developer suggested that he would agree to a deferral to meet with the neighboring residents (however, this does NOT include the general public’s concerns). The case was deferred to the March 5th, 2024 Planning Commission meeting at 330pm CT.
The Planning Commission meeting audio/video and transcript is available. In it you will see that the developer condescendingly “patted Galveston residents on the heads” to say he knows that “change is scary,” but he will help everyone get through this. Please come in person if you can to use your 3 minutes to speak out against this PUD if you are able to attend the meeting. If you cannot attend, you may use their online form to submit your a 500-character comment (use drop-down menu to select PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, AND REFERENCE CASE 23P-091.) Or you can email your comment and include "RE: Case 23P-091" in the subject line.
Thank you for your history of concern for the well-being of Galveston Island and the safety of all our populations—both human and wildlife. Although many of us on Team Ghost Wolf are not residents of the Island, Galveston is close to our hearts and we would love to see Galveston be the national leader to display their deep value for this significant habitat that serves as a legacy for all future generations to see natural spaces and biodiversity; not pavement.
The developer is from Montgomery Co. and has asked for TWELVE deviations (e.g., legal exceptions) for their PUD, including a building plan for a structure that would be up to eleven floors—a height increase to 149.5 ft from 105 ft, increasing the floor-to-area ratio (FAR) from 1.5 to 2.94, and eliminating all Open Space. This landowner has every right to develop his land. He should simply have to do so within the parameters of the Zoning designation of the land as he purchased it. As the project stands, it would NOT be able to receive a Beachfront Construction Certificate from the City of Galveston’s Coastal Resources Division (noted on page one of the staff report) due to the use of reinforced concrete. However, despite all of this, staff still recommended approval with conditions.
Numerous Seascape residents showed up to speak against the project at the previous Planning Commission meeting. Ultimately, the developer suggested that he would agree to a deferral to meet with the neighboring residents (however, this does NOT include the general public’s concerns). The case was deferred to the March 5th, 2024 Planning Commission meeting at 330pm CT.
The Planning Commission meeting audio/video and transcript is available. In it you will see that the developer condescendingly “patted Galveston residents on the heads” to say he knows that “change is scary,” but he will help everyone get through this. Please come in person if you can to use your 3 minutes to speak out against this PUD if you are able to attend the meeting. If you cannot attend, you may use their online form to submit your a 500-character comment (use drop-down menu to select PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING, AND REFERENCE CASE 23P-091.) Or you can email your comment and include "RE: Case 23P-091" in the subject line.
Thank you for your history of concern for the well-being of Galveston Island and the safety of all our populations—both human and wildlife. Although many of us on Team Ghost Wolf are not residents of the Island, Galveston is close to our hearts and we would love to see Galveston be the national leader to display their deep value for this significant habitat that serves as a legacy for all future generations to see natural spaces and biodiversity; not pavement.
October 2023
Paving Paradise: East Beach Pack's Home to become a Margaritaville on the EAst end of Galveston Island
|
Since our initial discovery in 2018 of red wolf ancestry in the unique Gulf Coast canids on Galveston Island, TX, known locally as Ghost Wolves, our commitment to this study system has only deepened. Our focus has been particularly on the East Beach Pack, a distinctive family group thriving on the island's east end.
In October 2023, we learned of a critical threat to the Galveston Island Ghost Wolves. The core habitat of the East Beach pack is slated for development into a sprawling 60-acre Margaritaville resort, a project that stands as one of the largest in eastern Galveston. This development raises serious concerns about the ecological impact on the island's unique Ghost Wolves and the broader environmental health. In response, we have aligned with Team Ghost Wolf, a coalition of passionate local and national conservation leaders. Our mission is clear: to advocate for environmentally conscious development. We've engaged with local leadership and the developers, proposing innovative solutions like wildlife-friendly design features and wildlife corridors. These discussions are pivotal in ensuring that development in the region progresses hand-in-hand with the needs of its native wildlife. We invite you to delve deeper into this crucial issue. Our public notes from meetings with the mayor and development team offer detailed insights. Moreover, we encourage your active participation. Your voice matters in this dialogue for sustainable growth. By sending a letter to local politicians and developers, using our template letters available in the meeting notes or the links, you can make a significant impact. Join us in this endeavor to balance development with the preservation of our unique biodiversity, ensuring that the Ghost Wolves and other wildlife continue to thrive alongside us. Your support is not just about saving a species; it's about preserving the harmony of our ecosystem for future generations. |
| |||||||||
citizen science
*COMING SOON* We are currently developing a SCAT TRACK program for citizen scientists to help identify and collection coyote poop! This science is bigger than Team Ghost Wolf and we are constructing information packets with instructions and supplies to help any person, classroom, professional, or other scientists donate a canid scat samples for us to explore the genetic identity and level of "ghosty-ness". We are excited about actionable science!
