Basic Myths and Facts
Myth: Wolf attacks on pet dogs indicate wolves don’t fear us.
Fact: Most of the dogs killed by wolves were either roaming freely or left in a yard overnight. An unattended dog is perceived
by a wolf as another canine competitor within the pack's territory, which has nothing to do with how wolves perceive humans. Pet
owners need to understand this very basic element of wolf behavior and be responsible for protecting their animals.
Myth: Wolves are dangerous to humans.
Fact: You stand a better chance of getting hit by a meteorite than killed by a wolf. Although
wolves are large, powerful animals that could kill humans, they do not. According to wolf
expert Dr. L. David Mech, there is no documented case of a healthy wild wolf killing a
human in North America. By comparison, more than 20 people are killed and 3 million
attacked each year by man's best friend, the domestic dog.
Myth: Most people in the U.S. oppose wolf restoration.
Fact: Numerous polls taken throughout the United States consistently demonstrate that more
people support wolf recovery than oppose it. In fact, in 1998, a poll undertaken by the
National Wildlife Federation demonstrated that 76 percent of Americans support wolf
restoration efforts.
Myth: Wolves will spread disease.
Fact: The incidence of rabies in wolves is extremely low, and has typically been limited to
arctic environments. While wolves can contract rabies, they tend not to, and those that do die
quickly rather than passing the disease along to humans or other wildlife.
Myths and Facts on Recovery of Timbers Wolves in New York
Myth: Wolves will eliminate or substantially reduce prey species.
Fact: Wolves and large grazing animals lived side-by-side for tens of thousands of years
before the first settlers arrived. Food availability and weather regulate wolf populations. When
their prey is scarce, wolves suffer too. They breed less frequently, have fewer litters, and
may even starve to death. Wolves often enhance prey populations by culling weak and sick
animals from the gene pool, leaving only the strongest animals to reproduce.
Myth: The presence of wolves would impact coyote control.
Fact: The presence of wolves in the Northeast would not impact coyote control. If wolves
are reintroduced, hunting and trapping of coyotes would not be restricted. In fact, wolves
could actually help control coyotes. Wolf biologist Dr. David Mech estimates that each wolf
pack will displace an estimated 50 coyotes, decreasing their adverse impacts on domestic
livestock and prey species.
Myths and Facts on Recovery of the Mexican Wolf
Myth: The Endangered Species Act prevents the control of wolves that prey on livestock.
Fact: Both "endangered" wolves and "threatened" wolves are routinely controlled when they prey on
livestock by the United States Department of Agriculture's Animal Damage Control units. Wolves
reintroduced into Arizona and New Mexico would be subject to similar controls.
Myth: Reintroduced wolves will spread disease.
Fact: All reintroduced wolves have been checked for disease and vaccinated. Wolves can contract rabies,
but domestic dogs pose a far greater disease transmittal threat to humans.
Myth: The wolf restoration plans for the Southwest do not take the needs of local citizens
into consideration.
Fact: Over 75 public hearings, meetings, and open houses were held to allow for public
input. The plan was specifically tailored to meet the stated needs of local citizens based on
the public comment process.
Please, if you have any Myths and Facts you would like me to post e-mail nevapaws@hotmail.com
