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Wolves Exhibit Clever Behavior Using Crab Traps in BC

11/22/2025

25 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A British Columbia study shows wild wolves using crab traps to access bait, with trail-camera footage of a wolf pulling a buoy and trap line.
Researchers initially monitored traps for damage and were surprised by this behavior.
The study suggests the behavior has been repeated, indicating wolves' cognitive abilities.
Yet rope pulling alone does not count as tool use, since it lacks incentive orientation.

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Story summary

A British Columbia study shows wild wolves using crab traps to access bait, with trail-camera footage of a wolf pulling a buoy and trap line.
Researchers initially monitored traps for damage and were surprised by this behavior.
The study suggests the behavior has been repeated, indicating wolves' cognitive abilities.
Yet rope pulling alone does not count as tool use, since it lacks incentive orientation.