~Mysteries of the Grey Wolf~
*~*Endangered*~*

The strength of the pack, is the wolf; the strength of the wolf, is the pack. Without either, neither can survive.

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Illegal kill..

Why are Wolves endangered?

There are many reasons why wolves are endangered, Most people used to be afraid of wolves and thought they were dangerous to humans. Mainly because of myths and superstitions such as Little Red Ridding Hood, or The Three Little Pigs.

For a long time, people would get money for bringing in a dead wolf. This was called bounty hunting

Between 1850 and 1900 more than a million wolves were killed. In 1907 the call was given for the total extinction of the species.

People also used to poison wolves, poisoning is probably the main reason there are so few wolves left today. Traps and snares were set for wolves as well, some people even praised the death of a wolf, and money was paid for the pelts of the wolf.

Conflict and Compromise~

I belive most people only fear the wolf, because they know so little about it. There has never been a human attacked or killed by a healthy wolf. So why do people fear them? They are majestic creatures, holding the tip of natures balance together. Without the wolf, deer, elk, bison, rabbits, mice and all kinds of other species would be over populated. Hunters see Wolves as a threat to their big game, but in truth, wolves only kill what they can eat, and mainly go after the sick, week, or injured animals.
Today the wolf is starting to come back, but as its population increases so do the conflicts with humans.

There is a great emotional debate about wolf control, some want the wolf destroyed, while others think wolves should never be killed, the answer may be somewhere in the middle of these positions.

Ranchers and Farmers worry that wolves will eat their livestock - cows, sheep, pigs and so on. And the only reason such a thing would occur is due to many reasons; lack of territory, lack of prey, starvation, disease, injury. Most Ranchers and Farmers dont realize who's terf they are on, in truth, I wouldnt blame a wolf for going and killing some cow for no reason at all, afterall the Farmer is on their territory.

Today in areas where farmers and ranchers come into conflict with wolves, there is some killing of problem wolves by the federal government.

Today there is a strong anti-wolf lobby, Some judges and political leaders in these areas are feeling pressure to side with this lobby.

But without this great preditor, I believe that the delicate balance of nature would be broken. With the demise of one species, others would cave and follow as well.