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The Need for Wolf Conservation

Wolf Conservation Center

February 26, 2018
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Contents
Need for Conservation pg. 3
Reasons for Endangerment pg. 3
- Historical View of Wolves
- Pests and Vermin
- Endangered Species Act
- Society’s View of Wolves
Change is Needed pg. 6
- We Need to Educate Properly
Conclusion pg. 8
References pg. 9

Figures
Figure 1: A hunter and his collection of wolf pelts pg. 4
Figure 2: Wolves, the slippery slope pg. 6
Figure 3: Wolves are deadly pg. 6
Figure 4: Yellowstone: Before and After Wolves pg. 8
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Abstract
Wolves have played an important role in our ecosystem for thousands
of years. Before the settlers arrived in North America, there were over
250,000 to 500,000 wolves roaming the area of the lower 48 states
(Wagner). Due to mass hunting and baiting of these wolves, the population
decreased dramatically until they were protected by the Endangered
Species Act in 1973. In order to fully protect the role that wolves play in our
ecosystem, however, it is necessary to increase our education about the
nature of wolves and their role within nature. Through a targeted education
campaign, children and residents will be informed about the positive
impacts that wolves have in nature and the little relative danger that they
pose to humans.

Need for Conservation

Wolf conservation and protection is an often debated topic. From the
18th century up until the late 20th century, wolves were slaughtered by the
thousands as they were viewed only as pests and vermin. Through
extensive research and natural experiments conducted over the years, it
has become apparent that wolves must be allowed to remain as a vital part
of our continent’s ecosystem in order to maintain balance.

Reasons for Endangerment

Historical View of Wolves
Native Americans created a negative view of wolves long before the
colonists even first arrived in North America, incorporating wolves as
“ferocious warriors in some traditions and thieving spirits in others” (“The
Wolf That Changed America”). Although the Native Americans began this
perception of wolves, they never were a threat to wolves due to their
superstitious fear of the animals. This negative notion surrounding wolves
continued into the early days of America as wolves and people often
avoided each other, only widening the gap and further creating a ghostly
view of wolves.
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Pests and Vermin

In the 18th and 19th centuries, American settlers were completely
dependent on their own crops and livestock for survival. The domesticated
livestock made an easy target for hungry packs of wolves. Understandably,
this only furthered the negative view of wolves. Farmers and ranchers
turned to setting traps and baiting. In Yellowstone and other areas of the
US, wolf baiters and hunters would use poisoned carcasses to entice and
kill wolves. The profession of wolf hunting and baiting was only made more
lucrative by the fashion industry making the pelts of the wolves valuable.
Such a vast quantity of wolves were killed that the population of wolves
decreased from 250,000-500,000 to only 300 within the lower 48 states
over the period of 200 years (Wagner).

Fig. 1: A hunter and his collection of wolf pelts (Chilson)

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The Protection of Wolves

The great slaughter of wolves in the 18th and 19th century caused
several species of wild wolves to be protected under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) in 1973 (NOAA Fisheries). Not only did this act protect
the lives of wolves, it also brought about several initiatives to reintroduce
wolves into their natural habitats. Through several coordinated efforts since
1973, the wolf population has gone from 300 to roughly 5,500 (Humane
Society).

Society’s View of Wolves

Although the population of wild wolves has increased, society’s
general appreciation of wolves has not. This is due to two factors. First, the
common belief is that wolves destroy natural ecosystems. Wolves are
predators, and by nature they kill other animals around them, particularly
elk or deer. Before the ESA, all wolves were exterminated from Yellowstone
National Park as a way to protect the elk and other animals within the park.
The ecosystem of the park suffered as a result of this extermination. The
elk population increased dramatically, damaging the trees and foliage of the
park, particularly the aspens. Due to lack of trees, beavers became less
common, creating excess wetland and increasing erosion. The coyotes
became the apex predator, decreasing the population of smaller animals
such as rabbits or field mice (“Infographic”). As soon as wolves were
reintroduced in 1995, the results were drastic. Elk populations decreased
slightly and they became more mobile, restoring the trees. Beavers
returned and biodiversity was restored.

Secondly, wolves are often still portrayed as vicious, aggressive

animals. An example of this is seen in the activist group started in
Washington called Washington Residents Against Wolves. This group has
pushed for strong population control of wolves. Through utilizing
propaganda via billboards and posters (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 3), they create
an inaccurate view of wild wolves. This negative publicity contributes to the
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view of wolves as undesirable, a danger to society, and needing to be

controlled.

Fig. 2: Wolves, the slippery slope

Fig. 3: Wolves are deadly

Change Is Needed
We Need to Educate Properly
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The move to heavily control the population of wolves finds its roots in
the perceptions of solves that existed before the settlers arrived in America.
Wolves are viewed as aggressive, vicious, and almost ghostly creatures to
be greatly feared. Many view them as an active threat to human life. While
wolves are effective predators and not docile creatures, they do not,
however, pose a threat to humans. Since 1900, there have been only two
recorded cases of humans being killed by wolves in North America. One of
these occurred in Canada, where a man was confirmed as being killed by
wolves. Upon further investigation, however, it was discovered that this
man had been in the regular practice of feeding the wolves, disrupting the
natural ecosystem already in place. In contrast to these two cases, there
were forty-one confirmed cases of humans being killed by dogs in 2014
alone (Lamplugh).
It is obvious that this common fear of wolves is irrational. There is
more reason to be afraid of the common household dog than wolves. It is
only when we interfere with the natural ecosystem in which wolves thrive
that we face danger. Rather than wasting money and resources seeking to
promote killing wolves, it would be better to invest in campaigns that
educate residents and children as to how to react to wolves. It is good to
avoid wolves, but not out of irrational fear. Rather, wolves should be
avoided out of a healthy respect for the role that they play in nature.

Education Campaign
This education campaign would target specific geographic areas that
contain larger concentration of wolves, mainly the northern regions of the
Midwest United States. This targeting would be done through strategically
placed billboards in addition to social media ads based off of user location.
The campaign would seek to educate adults and children about the positive
impact that wolves have on an ecosystem. In order to counteract the
negative effects of propaganda like that spread by WARAW, it is necessary
to graphically represent the truth in an impactful way (see Figure 4). As
residents become more aware of the positive impacts that wolves have on
our ecosystem and the reality that wolves do not pose a danger to humans,
they will be more eager to support the protection of wolves under ESA.
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Fig. 4: Yellowstone: Before and After Wolves (Johanningham)

Conclusion
The need for wolves within nature is one that cannot be ignored.
Wolves are smart and strong predators. The way to respond to these strong
predators is not to exterminate them, however. They must be respected
and appreciated and allowed to let live, if nature is going to be conserved.
When the natural ecosystem is tampered with, only imbalance and negative
effects result. In order to build this respect and appreciation, effort must be
made to educate people to the true nature of wolves.
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References
Chilson, John. “Book review [Sort of]: Historic Photos of Oregon.” Lost
Oregon, 7 Apr. 2010, lostoregon.org/2010/04/07/book-review-sort-of-
historic-photos-of-oregon/.

“Frequently Asked Questions about the Gray Wolf in the United

States.” The Humane Society of the United States,
m.humanesociety.org/animals/wolves/facts/faq_gray_wolf.html.

“Infographic: Wolves Keep Yellowstone in the Balance.” Earthjustice, 23

Feb. 2017, earthjustice.org/features/infographic-wolves-keep-
yellowstone-in-the-balance.

Johanningham, Taylor. “(More Than) A Spot in the Sun.” Wolf Intensive

Weekend, 10 June 2012, spotsinthesun.blogspot.com/2012/06/wolf-
intensive-weekend.html.

Lamplugh, Rick. “This Is The Number Of People Killed By 'Fearsome'

Wolves.” The Dodo, The Dodo, 20 Oct. 2015,
www.thedodo.com/how-many-people-killed-by-wolves-
1413351180.html.

NOAA Fisheries. “Endangered Species Act (ESA).” NOAA Fisheries, 8

Aug. 2013, www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/laws/esa/.

“The Wolf That Changed America.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, 27

Oct. 2014, www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/the-wolf-that-changed-america-
wolf-wars-americas-campaign-to-eradicate-the-wolf/4312/.

Wagner, Jeff. “A History of Wild Wolves in the United States.” A History of

Wild Wolves in the United States | Mission: Wolf,
www.missionwolf.org/page/wild-wolf-history/.