Wolves - Part 2
Picking up from yesterday’s blog, it is true that wolves come with some legitimate concerns from livestock owners. The question is, are there ways to mitigate these concerns that don’t involve termination of wolves en mass. The short answer is yes. So what can be done to allow livestock owners and wolves to co-exist? Options include the hiring of range riders, specialize cowboys who live with the herd during grazing season. Deterrents like tubo-fladry, acoustic devices, and foxlights can be employed to play into a wolf’s natural wariness. Livestock guardian dogs equipped with metal spiked collars to protect them from wolf bites have proven to be effective. Changes to herd management practices like carcass removal, synchronized birthing and low stress herding contribute to less wolf kills. The point is to say the the lethal option should be a last resort. To help offset the costs of these non-lethal options, grants could be provided to ranchers who employ them. The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. It’s time to try something different.
Another source of conflict is with hunters and somewhat by extension state Fish & Wildlife Management. I’m not going to argue the merits or morality of hunting. I’ve known hunters. I’ve consumed venison. Hunting has its place and I see no need to consider anything drastic like banning all hunting. I will save the issue of trophy hunting, which I’m wholeheartedly against, for another time. It is true that wolves keep the ungulate (think elk and deer) populations in check. Except for some indigenous communities, hunting is done for sport and not for sustenance. I see no need for hunters to tag multiple animals each year and with healthy ecosystems there should be enough to go around. I want to note here that there are four states that allow for wolves to be hunted: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Even though wolves are listed as endangered, the wolves in theses states are managed at the state level and therefore don’t fall under federal protections.
Lastly, I want to address the human fear of wolves that has persisted. Attacks are exceedingly rare in healthy wolves (those that don’t have rabies). Since the year 2000, there has been one fatal wolf attack in the US (2010 in Alaska). Non-fatal encounters occur 1-2 per year and generally happen with food conditioned wolves or wolves encountering domestic dogs. Statistically speaking, you’re more likely to be killed by a vending machine than a wolf.
By now, you are probably asking what my deal is with wolves that I would rant for two days about them. They are keystone species and can help “fix an ecosystem. They are exceedingly beautiful creatures that provide a bit of mystery to the wild. They provide me with a drive to photograph them in the wild. But most importantly, I love the idea of the pack. We all should have a “pack” to get through this life we have. Provide each other with comfort and strength, encouragement and drive to reach our goals and dreams. That is truly why I love wolves and you should too.
Check back tomorrow for the Photo of the Week.
Wendy
Note: There are no pictures with these posts as I have never encountered a wolf in the wild but I hope to some day.