WOLF, CANIS-LUPUS, PREDATION ON DUSKY CANADA GEESE, BRANTA-CANADENSIS-OCCIDENTALIS

On two occasions on the Copper River Delta, Alaska, radio-collared Wol ves (Canis lupus) were observed locating and consuming Dusky Canada Go ose (Branta canadensis occidentalis) eggs. On a third occasion, a pair of Wolves killed three geese. Non-mammalian Wolf prey on the Copper R iver Delta is abundant relative to other areas. Although geese may be less profitable than ungulate prey, there is less risk associated with their capture and the availability of such alternate prey may lead to decreased Wolf predation on Moose at this site. Wolf predation on gee se may be additive to other mortality factors or compensatory due to d isplacement of coyotes.