Selection of gray wolf (Canis lupus) homesites on the central coast of British Columbia

From spring to early fall, gray wolves (Canis lupus) use homesites for reproduction and rearing pups. The environmental features selected during the reproductive period of gray wolves on the central coast of British Columbia have not yet been researched. Environmental variables were summarized within two and four kilometers, and within the watersheds of homesite presence and absence sites using Geographic Information Systems. Logistic regression and Akaike's Information Criterion found that at each scale wolves selected deer and salmon availability, lower percent road cover, and forest stands with lower variation in complexity and age. Prediction of homesite occurrence in unknown areas showed the proportion of area decreased as predicted homesite probability increased. Less than half of known homesites are within protected areas. Results from this research can assist in planning for protection of coastal wolves and increase understanding of how wolves select features to meet their reproductive requirements.