The Greenland wolf, aka grønlandsulv, is a subspecies of the grey wolf that hails from Greenland and Ellesmere Island, Canada. These beautiful wolves face the threats of low population density (existing in very low numbers); climate change, that can bring about both increased summer temperatures and brutally cold winters; habitat loss and destruction, at the hands of residential and commercial developments; and persecution by humans, in the form of hunting, trapping, and poisoning. Due to these challenges, these wolves are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Their population trend is also listed as decreasing.
First the Stats…
Scientific name: Canis lupus orion
Weight: Up to 57+ lbs.
Length: Up to 5.1 feet
Height: Up to 31 inches, at the shoulders
Lifespan: Up to 20 years
Now on to the Facts!
1.) Upwards of 90% of these wolf’s range falls within the boundaries of the Northeast Greenland National Park.
2.) British zoologist Reginald Innes Pocock first described the Greenland wolf in 1935.
3.) Back in 2021, the entire genome sequence of these wolves was mapped to aid in further research.
4.) The average pack size is just 3 individuals.
5.) Caribous, musk oxen, and Arctic hares are all on the menu.
But wait, there’s more on the Greenland wolf!
6.) Wolves have been completely protected in Greenland since 1988.
7.) Unfortunately, as expected from such a minuscule population, genetics have proved that these wolves are very inbred.
Did you know…?
The Greenland population of these wolves is estimated to be only 55+/-! In Canada, there are approximately 200 individuals remaining, to date.
8.) Females undergo up to a 63 day gestation (pregnancy) that yields up to 3 pups.
9.) Sadly, in eastern Greenland between by 1899 – 1939, a small population of an estimated 38 wolves were poisoned to extinction.
10.) In 1979, a wolf pair had arrived into the historical wolf range and by 2011 they had re-established a population of 23 wolves through single and pairs of wolves following military dog-sled patrols from the northeast over distances of up to 350 miles to eastern Greenland.
Now a Short Greenland Wolf Video!
This video talks about wolves in general.
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Some source material acquired from: Wikipedia & IUCN
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