SPECIES Eastern Timber Wolf
TAXONOMY Canis lupus lycaon 
STATUS Not Specifically Listed; Gray Wolf listed at Least Concern (RedList)

The Eastern Timber Wolf was the first subspecies of the Gray Wolf to be recognised in the United States. It once roamed across the continent, and was found in all habitats. Its success was due to being one of nature’s most sophisticated social orders. 

The wolf pack will have as many as 15 members consisting of both leaders and followers. One breeding pair will take the leadership role and remain the only pair to produce offspring. The lead male and female will stand tall and with tails up to express their dominant role to the other members of the pack.

Wolves were a leading threat to domesticated livestock safety. Man went to extreme efforts to eradicate the species, and by the early 1900s almost succeeded.  

Wolves are highly intelligent and will not breed when food sources are scarce. Although there are remaining Eastern Timber Wolves existing today in isolated and protected regions, there is minimal repopulation activity due to urbanisation and the restricted geography. 

This piece forms part of a themed collection that is focused on threatened species in North America. Through the expansion of European settlement, many species have been exposed to disease, poisoned, displaced, hunted, or eradicated. Raising awareness remains as the most significant challenge in the effort to reduce these possible outcomes. These represent the absence of the existence of wildlife in their natural environments.

This series has specifically utilised heat, flame, and soot to achieve the varying golden browns and charcoal greys present in the finished artwork.

Updated 20 February 2020