Sea Wolf Caught On Camera Pulling In Crab Traps in Canada

A clever wolf has stunned wildlife researchers with an incredible adaptation – raiding crab traps set out by fishermen. The discovery is thought to be the first possible tool use of wolves ever recorded. The wolf in question is part of a population of sea wolves that hunt along the coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada.

Wildlife researchers and members of the Heiltsuk First Nation were wondering why crab traps were being damaged and raided so they set up video cameras to to find out and made the remarkable discovery.

The day after cameras were set up they captured a sea wolf swimming out to the buoy, grabbing it and swimming back to shore. The wolf then pulled the line to haul the crab trap onto land after which the animal ate the sardine bait inside.

The researchers are now eager to study other wolves along the coast to see if they are repeating the behavior. They did catch another wolf raiding crab traps but it wasn’t clear if those traps had been placed in the water. One thing is for sure, the wolves are far smarter at fishing than originally thought.

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