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Gray Wolves – Are We Killing Man’s Best Friend?

WILDLIFE - MAMMALS

Written by Lucy Brake

Tuesday, 12 October 2010 04:04

Gray Wolves – Are We Killing Man’s Best Friend?

Gray Wolf Resting in Snow

Gray Wolf

The gray wolf is an elusive and mysterious creature, an ancestor to our very own domestic dogs. Wolves are very social animals and have strong bonds with their family unit, they tend to live and hunt together in packs.

“The gray wolf plays a vital role in the health and proper functioning of ecosystems”

(Source: The National Wildlife Federation)

About Gray Wolves

Gray wolf in forest

Wolves are meat eaters and target large hoofed mammals for food, but they are known to scavenge if they are really hungry. They generally live between eight to 12 years. Wolves used to be common all around North America but now “gray wolves inhabit mostly wild and inaccessible areas,” explains the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “in a very limited portion of their former range.”

The gray wolf is an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, which is the main legislation that gives federal protection to threatened species in the U.S., administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. “The gray wolf plays a vital role in the health and proper functioning of ecosystems” notes the National Wildlife Federation. However, today their numbers are not at ecologically sustainable levels and their ability to fulfill that role has deteriorated.

Cry of the Wolves "Wolf Spirit Pack"

“gray wolves inhabit mostly wild and inaccessible areas,”

(Source: WWF)

Wolf Pup

The two main threats to gray wolves are habitat loss and over exploitation. “Human encroachment into wolf territory,” observes the Defenders of Wildlife organization, “leads to habitat loss for wolves and their prey species.” The National Wildlife Federation explains that over exploitation is when “wolves are hunted and killed, because ranchers and farmers believed they posed threats to livestock from hunting.”

The Wolf (Defenders of Wildlife):

The gray wolf is now gradually making a comeback thanks to strong efforts for conservation and restoration of their habitats. The Yellowstone National Park is one of the best places to see a wolf in its native habitat. If you want to help protect the gray wolf from further exploitation, there are a number of ways you can get involved.

Green Tip:

Reduce the amount of plastic garbage you produce.
- Stop buying and drinking bottled water. Tons of plastic water bottles are being dumped in land fills and into the watersheds and ocean. Please filter your own water.
- Don’t release balloons or allow plastic bags to fly away - animals try to eat these items.
- Recycle plastics and other items.
- Use reusable grocery bags!

What can I do to save the Gray Wolves?

Volunteer with, or donate to, an organization that works with protecting the gray wolf.

Defenders of Wildlife is one organization that fights for the freedom of wolves. Get involved!

Adopt a wolf through a program, such as that run by the WWF.

Use non-lethal methods for protecting livestock from wolves.

Keep informed through email/blog groups.

Do not use pesticides or pollutants

Do not use pesticides or chemicals that flow into the streams and ocean. Use Integrated Pest Management techniques instead of pesticides in your garden. See the USDA's excellent backyard conservation web site for more information.

Learn and Teach!

Learn more about Canadian Wolves and teach your children about them. Be an Eco-friendly advocate. See the resources below.

Canadian Geographic: The Language of Wolves Part 1

Canadian Geographic: The Language of Wolves Part 2

Canadian Geographic: The Language of Wolves Part 3

Canadian Geographic: The Language of Wolves Part 4

Canadian Geographic: The Language of Wolves Part 5

Please learn more and help our wild Canadian Gray Wolves survive. They are a critical part of eco-systems worldwide.

Thank you for taking the time to read about Gray Wolves.

Lucy Brake: Writer & Editor

Sharon Haddox: Publishing
Writer & Editor SeaGreenNews.com
Wildlife Enthusiast & Green Advocate

Books:

Wolf DVDs:

Wolf Sounds:

Sources:

National Wildlife Federation: http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wildlife-Library/Mammals/Gray-Wolf.aspx

Defenders of Wildlife:

http://www.defenders.org/wildlife_and_habitat/wildlife/wolf,_gray.php#

US Fish and Wildlife Service:

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/wolf/aboutwolves/biologue.htm

World Wildlife Fund: http://www.worldwildlife.org/ogc/species_SKU.cfm?gid=13

National Parks Conservation Association: http://www.npca.org/wildlife_protection/wildlife_facts/graywolf.html

Photo Credits:

PhotoBucket.com

Permissions for Use: Works licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License

Special Note:

15% of all profits from SeaGreenNews.com go to non-profit organizations to help fund environmental awareness or education programs, environmental enhancement programs, saving endangered or threatened species programs and like organizations. Examples being: Sound Experience, Defenders of Wildlife, Harbor WildWatch, EarthWatch Institute, Sustainability Institute, People for Puget Sound, Pollinator Partnership and others.

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 November 2010 06:23

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