The Wolf Preservation Blog

Who can do a Research Project?

• College and graduate students
• Teachers on sabbatical or summer/winter break
• Dog behaviorists
• Dog trainers
• Veterinarians and veterinary technicians
• Anyone who has a specific interest in canids

Wolf Park is an excellent place to conduct observational or behavioral research. We can help you design and plan your project, although we cannot help you collect and analyze data. Only interns and practicums may conduct research at Wolf Park. If you are interested in doing research with our animals outside of the internship/practicum program, please contact our managing director.

If you are accepted to either the practicum or internship program and have a research project in mind, in order to make sure that what you have planned is possible and will be approved by Wolf Park, we suggest getting our consent in advance of your arrival. Project proposals and outlines should be sent to Pat Goodmann, c/o Wolf Park, or via email (pat@wolfpark.org). After your project has been approved by Pat, she will get consent from Dr. Klinghammer as well. You are not required to do a research project. Many students simply work and study during their time here. It is a good way to learn about research in a non-threatening environment.

Most of the research at Wolf Park is observational in nature. Students in the past have studied sleeping behavior, eating behavior, howls and other vocalizations, and adult interaction with puppies, to name just a few. Many students will focus on a particular animal and observe its interactions with the other animals. Other study opportunities exist with the foxes, coyotes, and bison.

The small staff has limited time; therefore projects involving the manipulations of the animals and their environment are not permitted. Research projects should be purely based on observation of the wolves, not anything that requires human participation or interaction of any kind. Also, due to time limitations, the staff cannot be an integral part of the actual data collection. Do remember, though, the staff is always available to answer questions. Before attempting long and involved projects, especially those resulting in something important such as a Masters thesis, a visit to Wolf Park is recommended.

*Special thanks to “Wolf Park” for providing this information!  Please visit their site at http://www.wolfpark.org/index.html