Wild Dog Foundation post: THEY ARE NOT MESO PREDATORS

 

www.wilddog.org

"A recent paper was published calling for "apex" predators to manage and limit the range of supposed "meso" predators, typically using wild canids as the preferred example (we NEVER see this in the cat family, the only other carnivore branch with diverse sizes and niches)

"The canids have the convenient "whipping" boys as smaller wolf-like canids are versatile and adaptable, and have increased in range despite rampant "over " management and limitless hunting and trapping , some inaccurately believe it is because of the eradication of sexier "apex" carnivores (mostly that of the Gray wolf, of which we are an ardent supporter of ) , when in reality, it is because of a vacant niche needing to be filled or the ability through high reproductive rates when persecuted , these smaller "wolves" counter any hunting campaign because of evolving with hyper predation.

"Let us explore why such damning descriptions are levied  to what should be celebrated in the fact that nature recovers, or admiration in species that have the ability to counter human altered environments.


"Are these species deemed "meso" predators based on size and weight?  That would be ironic because here in North America the supposedly endangered Canada Lynx ( a specialist) and the largest mustelid the wolverine ( a generalist) are both smaller then most of the largest male coyotes , at least in weights.

"Even in Africa, an "apex " predator the caracal and serval, two highly specialized felids, are deemed "apex" when they are not much bigger then many jackals , both male and female (ironically the Golden jackal in Africa is now considered , a wolf).

"Is it ecological niches? Or the vital role they play in the ecosystem that leads to this damning description? Clearly here in North America from our many years of advocacy, "common" carnivores are viewed with animosity from the conservation community and not valued , but solely in whether they should be managed or limited in the presence of fancied species.

"We could agree that a specialized predator like the Canada Lynx is apex in the fact that they have a specific role in affecting their respective ecosystems , but they are LIMITED.

"The generalist smaller wolves , have a far more wider and important influence on an ecosystem whether positive or negative .

"ALL smaller wolf-like canids have the ability to prey on ungulates , in most cases juveniles but also if conditions are right, adults. There are many examples currently of such.

"That being the case they should QUALIFY as "APEX" predators  because while they have little impact on ungulates , they can in some instances at isolated environments , exert an influence.

"Then we get into a very grey area now. In the past  it was falsely believed that Spotted hyenas, one of the MOST important apex predators on the African landscape , lived off of the laurels of the lion, scavenging their kills and having no significant ecological role in regulating ungulates.

"Now we know that is false , hyenas are even more essential then lions in much of Africa, and it some landscapes, it is the lion who scavenges off of hyena kills.

"Then what of this example , one of the few veritable examples where another carnivore SEVERELY restricts the distribution of a competitor, that of African wild dogs and lions.
Lions are very negative for wild dog conservation, here is a clear example where the presence of lions severely restricts the dogs, so much so that the dogs will exist in poor habitats in order to avoid the cats.

"So are wild dog meso predators in the wake of lions? Since some conservationist dont value meso predators, do we allow the extinction of the critically endangered wild dog?

"Studies have shown that while larger carnivores are antagonistic towards coyote and jackal, these smaller wolves do NOT avoid areas frequented by competitors.

"Coyotes, though killed by Gray wolves, did not avoid wolf kills or the areas frequented by wolves. Jackals , often killed by leopards, did not avoid habitats just because  the presence of leopards

"The limited scope of parallel distribution of wolf and jackal in Europe shows only which species is being over hunted at that time period and the quick recolonization of a competitor .
Both wolf and jackal are starting to recolonize (wolves) or colonize (jackal) many of the same areas , though in limited numbers, NOT showing displacement , but sympatry and partitioning .

"The Wild Dog Foundation STRONGLY opposes the term meso predator , it connotes irrelevance, lack of importance  or having no important ecological value or essential role.

"That is shameful, especially nowadays as we have come so far in our understanding of carnivore roles, and as we should restore larger carnivores to every available ecosystem  , we should not be condemning others because we feel they are not "preferred".

"Sadly we will be alienated for this believe too as has already taken place , but we stand with the species we represent and will not retract in their name , we fight for them."