Please join the Department of Integrative Biology for a scientific seminar with John Marzluff, Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Science at the University of Washington and the 2025 Robert M. Storm Distinguished Lecture speaker. John will share a lecture titled The wolf's shadow: movement ecology of ravens in Yellowstone. Prior observations and legends suggest a strong mutualistic relationship between ravens and wolves. With colleague, Mattias Loretto, we test this hypothesis by relating wolves' travels to ravens' flights. In Yellowstone National Park John's lab tagged 60 birds with state-of-the-art transmitters. The birds shared their secrets as they flew a hundred miles directly to new kills, commandeered territory, found mates, and reared young. The picture that emerged from the study was that of a highly opportunistic bird with the knowledge that allowed them to exploit wolves but not depend on them. John discusses the tenuous and evolving relationship between humans, wolves, and ravens and the challenges animals face when they wander beyond the protection a national park provides.

Accommodations for disabilities may be made by contacting 541-737-2993 or ib@oregonstate.edu.