This paper discusses wolf predation research in Riding Mountain National Park in 1978-79. Research was unique and involved tracking of two small wolf packs (3 and 5 members), unusually deep snow cover and high prey densities. Results showed that elk were the favorite prey of both packs despite the fact that moose outnumbered elk populations. White-tailed deer and moose were also preyed upon, but at much lower numbers. Surplus killing was identified in late winter, with carcass use being incomplete. Wolves also tended to stay at kills for a shorter time than other previous documented cases.

Under present circumstances, the authors indicate that wolf predation is beneficial within the ecosystem management concept presently applied in Canadian National Parks. They help contribute to diversity by their own presence as well as providing carrion to scavengers. The authors note that the ability of small wolf packs to kill elk has important management implications. For one, questioning the effectiveness of reducing predation on elk by reducing pack size. They feel it is doubtful that larger packs would have substantially increased kill rates above that observed in the study area.