Comparison of VHF and satellite telemetry for estimating sizes of wolf territories in northwest Alaska

During 1987-1991 we deployed 23 satellite transmitters (PTTs) on wolves (Ca nis lupus) in northwest Alaska, and compared seasonal and annual estimates of territory size with those calculated from VHF telemetry data. Area-obser vation curves indicated that an average of 123, 73, and 98 locations were n ecessary to describe 90% of annual, summer, and winter territories, respect ively. Estimates of annual, summer, and winter territories from PTT data av eraged 3,375; 1,040; and 3,444 km(2), respectively, whereas estimates from VHF-equipped wolves averaged 1,430; 530; and 980 km(2), respectively. Annua l and seasonal territory sizes for PTTs were not correlated with pack size or number of locations. We attributed the larger estimates of territory siz e provided by satellite telemetry to more frequent locations, greater numbe rs of locations, acquisition of locations when it was impractical to obtain VHF locations, and location error.