In 1993, I was at a major crossroads in my life, when one October day, my spiritual awakening came. It happened at a small wolf sanctuary and education center in Ipswich, Massachusetts. It happened the first time I looked into the eyes of the Alpha wolf and heard him lead a group howl. His voice told me, "I am your brother; learn from me and understand how to care for this world around us." So began a journey of learning my connection to all things on my Mother Earth, and opening myself up to the wisdom of the universe. With the knowledge comes a responsibility to share what I know, and to put my feelings into positive action -- to "walk my talk" as it were.
I learned that after living here in peace for thousands of years, wolves were nearly wiped out in the lower 48 states, in less than 100 years, by a white race hungry for land "free of vermin" (much as they tried to do to our Indian brothers and sisters). As the tide of destruction began to turn, I learned of the wolf re-introduction programs, and gladly began my small contribution to correct a wrong done. I learned of the brutal and outrageous wolf hunts in Alaska, and have participated in letter-writing campaigns to gain political support for new protections, as well as to urge individuals and groups to boycott or cancel any trips to the "Last Frontier" until the killing has stopped.
I have told everyone I know about my wolf brothers. I have sponsored ambassador wolves through the Wolf Education & Resouce Center for several years, so that they may continue the work of educating the public, and I sponsor wild wolves today. I cooperate with my fellow Spiritmates of the Wolf to combat ignorance of this misunderstood animal, and to physically, vocally and financially protect them from those who would silence the howls forever. In this spirit, I am proud and happy to announce the recent opening of the Wolfhawk Wolf Center, which works to rescue injured and abused wolves, and to bring ambassador wolves to schools, in order to educate future generations about the true lives of our brothers. Please visit them when you are finished here; they can really use your support! (They also happen to have a gorgeous website, and some really great wolf-puppy pictures!!!)
For the wolf, it is an uphill struggle. In Wisconsin, the Department of Natural Resources is considering reclassification of wolves from endangered to a "threatened" species, despite the fact that there are only about 145 wild wolves in the state, and an optimum population for "delisted" or "theatened" status is 300-500 wolves.
On the wolf re-introduction front, the gray wolf is standing at the edge of an abyss. On December 12, 1997, after taking THREE YEARS to reach a decision in a lawsuit filed by the Idaho Farm Bureau, a Wyoming federal district judge has ruled that the wolf reintroductions in Yellowstone and Idaho were ILLEGAL because they came on top of an existing population of wolves (estimated at between 4-12 wolves...quite a population explosion, hmm?). He also ordered that all reintroduced wolves and their pups "be removed" from central Idaho and Yellowstone. He has stayed the order pending an appeal before the 10th Circuit Court. However, if the appeal fails, all the wolves will likely be DESTROYED, as Canada, their nation of origin, will not take them back!
The re-introduction of the rare Mexican wolf is undergoing a critical struggle. Three small packs were released into the wild on March 30th, and have been struggling in the face of natural losses and the unfriendly response of local residents. Recently, the Hawk's Nest pack gave birth to a new litter of pups, which are believed to have perished. Biologists tracking this pack have found no puppy fur, scat or bones, and report that the adult pack members are once again on the move. This in itself is ominous, as a pack will not travel with young pups, nor venture too far from a den site. Of the other two groups released, several wolves have been killed in a variety of mishaps and another female had to be returned to captivity because it was feared her pups would not survive.
Our neighbors to the north blind themselves to the lessons of destruction that could be learned from our past mistakes in the U.S. The Canadian government continues to sanction and grant permits for the killing of wolves, and big-game hunting outfits are prospering, while dealing out death to wolves and other large animals such as caribou, white tailed deer, moose and mountain goats. Around the world, it is not all that different. In Russia, thousands of wolves are being killed because of purported threats to domestic stock. The wolf has become extinct in many areas of Europe, and only manages to hang on in very isolated areas of the southern regions (Portugal and Spain).
It seems for every step made toward progress, the world takes two steps back. Instead of learning from the depredations to our environment, we attempt to come closer to wiping out the wolf (and many other species) every day.
In too many cases, this is caused by ignorance, and too many centuries of belief in negative ancient myths. Only through education can we break the attitudes down and maintain the tenuous progress we have made.
In his natural environment, the wolf is at the top of the food chain. The wolf has few natural enemies, other than man. While there do exist a few "lone wolves" in nature, they are essentially highly social animals who live in packs. Most lone wolves are young males striking out on their own, who will eventually meet up with other wolves and form a new pack. In the wolf society, pack hierarchy is that of a close-knit family, with each member having a specific position in the group, and specific duties. The alpha male and female are the leaders, and the only ones to have puppies. The number of puppies born to the alpha pair in any given year is determined by the environment. If survival is tough, weather is bad, and food is scarce, a small litter is born. In good times, there will be more pups in a litter.
Contrary to the information dealt by the ranching and hunting groups, the preferred meal for a wolf pack is elk, moose, and caribou. There are a lot of hungry mouths to feed in a pack, and they need a big meal. When wolves make a kill, they waste nothing. Everything is eaten, or buried in the snow to make a meal the next day, or brought home to the pups to be regurgitated.
Wolves have developed a highly complex social structure and very tight family bonds. Wolves communicate through a wide variety of facial and body postures, as well as growls, snarls, yips and howls. Once the hierarchy of a wolf pack is established, the members rarely fight. Survival of the pack is dependent upon each wolf knowing its place and performing its assigned duties, whether it is leading a hunt or staying at the den and caring for the pups. Wolves play, and mourn the death of a fellow pack member. As discovered by wolf researchers, when a pack member dies, all wolf play stops for a varied length of time. The wolves are listless, and seek physical comfort from one another.
Our Native American brothers have respected and revered the wolf for many generations, because of their close family connections, their ability to survive in good seasons and bad, for the fact that they waste nothing. The highest honor in Native culture is to be a member of a "wolf clan," which teaches all the wisdom of wolf behavior.
Public awareness of the beauty, nobility and critical nature of the wolf is changing. In many of these situations, there has been a public outcry to protect our four-legged brothers.
In the case of the Yellowstone and Idaho wolves, Interior Secretary Bruce Babitt has voiced support for the appeal, but the struggle is far from won. Our brothers still need all the help we can give, particularly in the face of foes like the Idaho Farm Bureau, international big-game hunting outfits, and the fearful and uninformed. The North American Wolf Association page link below displays a cold-blooded analysis by the Idaho Bureau of their assumed "victory" against the wolves, which although highly sickening, should be read by EVERYONE concerned with the protection of our brothers.
Many of us who have seen the wolf, heard his hauntingly lovely cry, and looked into his eyes have realized how necessary it is to save him from a repeat of past brutalities. Many today spend their lives working to tell people, through one form or another, about this animal's beauty, nobility, and rightful place in the chain of nature. Noted wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg has tracked the wolf for years, and photos like his "Wolf Harmony" illustrate the powerful loving bonds of love and loyalty between family members.
In 1991, wildlife cinematographer Jim Dutcher began a six year odyssey in Idaho, raising, studying and chronicling the lives of the Sawtooth Pack, resulting in a book by the same name and two World of Discovery videos (both beautiful and highly educational works which further dispel the myths). The many individuals at the centers like the WERC, Wolf Park, Wolf Hollow and the International Wolf Center devote their lives to educating future generations about the personalities, behaviors, play, communications and family bonds of the wolf family. Today, the Nez Perce tribe has taken over the responsibility, and given the Sawtooth Pack a new home on their tribal lands.
Right now, in many places on earth, our Brother Wolf has a sword hanging over his head, and human society is the group wielding that sword. Will these incredible animals once again suffer through the agonies inflicted on him early in this century? One of the links below carries a page with photos of the horrors inflicted on the wolf to exterminate him; today, we all need to work to prevent a re-occurence!!
Public outcry is all to the good, but words alone will not win the wolf his space in the wild. Action is necessary by each and every individual who cares about the future of wild species on the planet. We don't have to be helpless; there is much that YOU can do today. Fill out one of the online petitions to stop the removal of the wolves from Yellowstone and Idaho! Write letters to your representatives in Washington! Sponsor an ambassador wolf (or one of our friends in the wild)! Make your money talk for you, and boycott states and regions which participate in wolf hunts. Use your tourism dollars to support ecological groups, or join one of the larger conservation groups, such as Defenders of Wildlife, the National Wildlife Federation, or the World Wildlife Fund. Take your children to wolf sanctuaries, and teach them the real facts about wolves. Tell your friends what you have learned here, and encourage them to learn and take action as well. Don't let the howl of the wolf disappear from the wild!! Once he's gone, we can NEVER get him back, so PLEASE HELP NOW!
It has been determined that wolves born today are genetically programmed to RUN from the scent of man....are we really surprised??? Let's work to change that for future generations.....Please visit the sites below, and do what you can....Mitakuye oyasin (we are ALL related)!
I am honored to have received these awards from my sister Wolfsong. She has one of the most beautiful sites on the web....click on either award to visit her. Thank you, Wolfsong, for these treasured gifts!
I hope you will also visit Rowan Red Wolf, a friend and fellow sister working for the wolf: Thank you for the banner, Rowan (hugggs...)
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Places to Learn, Enjoy and Take Action
Defenders of Wildlife
The Wolf Education & Resource Center
North American Wolf Association
Hummingbird's Lodge
Morningstar's Home Page
The Cave of The Bear
The Longhouse
WolfSong
Running Deer's Wolf Den
Travel on to More of My Animal Protection Pages!
Just for Fun, Some of my Photography