Journey of the Wolf
Journey with me into the life of the wolf.
For the strength of the pack is the wolf
and the strength of the wolf is the pack
~Rudyard Kipling~
Wolves are mirror images of our soul"
"A wolf, it is said, can hear a cloud pass overhead"
Imagine the pristine beauty of a natural wilderness,
a river carving its way through the walls of a deep canyon,
a forest filled only with the sounds of the wild creatures,
a quiet valley safely nestled against a solid mountianside.
On a distant rocky ledge stands a majestic wild creature,
imposing and intelligent,
Imagine this creature running free in the wilderness,
leaving troubled echoes of the past behind.
Imagine the Grey Wolf
Wolfsong:
With eyes closed and head titled upwards,
the Wolf sends forth its timeless haunting song.
On quiet nights, a single howl can be heard for over 50 square miles.
Howling serves as a long-distance communication,
reuniting pack members that have been seperated to hunt.
These lingering calls also help Wolves to define thier territory.
Neighboring packs chorus back and forth through the night,
announcing thier precense and proclaiming their land.
Human listeners remain profoundly mystified
by these ancient cries.
Wolf Lore:
Throughout Ancient history the Wolf was admired
and respected as a symbol of strength,
intelligence and courage.
Neolithic artists duplicated its image on cave walls.
Shamans sought its power.
Even Romulus and Remus, founders of
Rome, were reportedly nurtured and raised by Wolves.
Eventually, this noble legend became
the "bloodthirsty savage" of euro-American lore.
Hatred of the Wolf, which sometimes preyed upon
livestock, reached hysterical proportions.
Fear over economic loss led to the
near extermination of the Wolf from western Europe,
southern Canada and the United States.
Man's Best Friend:
Today, most authorities agree that all dogs ,are
descended from Wolves.
Controversy remains over where Wolves were first domesticated.
Some experts believe that domestication
first occured in the Near East 10,000-12,000 years ago.
Impressive in size and strength,
Wolves were easily recognized as
the largest members of the wild dog family.
From nose to tail, "man's best friend" averages 5 feet
in length, stands 2-1/2 feet high at the
shoulder and weighs up to 155 pounds or more.
Summertime:
During the summer when pups are too young to
travel, the pack establishes a small home
range of 15 square miles or less. To ensure
the safety of the pups, pack life revolves
around the den. when a hunting party leaves the den
area at sunset, a "babysitter" is always left behind to prtect the pups.
When the hunting party returns the next morning,
they'll feed the pups, then curl up near the den to rest.
One faint yip of puppy alarm is enough to awake them.
Puppyhood:
Springtime arrives on a gust of warm air.
The growing and gangly pups are eager to explore.
From spring throughtout summer,
puppyhood is a whirlwind of energetic pouncing,
chasing, dashing, eating and exploring.
These puppy pasttimes are about more
than just play and enjoyment.
In subtle ways, the rambunctious siblings
are developing their hunting skills,
establishing their rank and learning Wolf"language"
- each an important behavioral prototype for life as an adult.
Clear Communication:
Perhaps the most heartfelt appeal
of the Wolf is the expressive nature of its face.
Unlike other animals, the Wolf can express "how it feels"
through a variety of subtle facial gestures.
These gestures are amplified by the
black and white markings that outline the
Wolf's eyes, ears, lips and muzzle.
The ability to convey "feelings" like fear
or excitement ensures clear communication
between pack members and fosters a spirit of cooperation and friendliness.
Conservation:
Like every living creature,
the Wolf needs more than merely a chance at survival.
Large tracks of wilderness lands,
the freedom to roam unharmed and a natural balance
of good sources are all essential to the Wolf's survival.
And should we not want
what is in the best interest of the Wolf?
Wild animals and wild places inspire us and sustain our spirits.
Perhaps the 21st century will see new conservation initiatives,
in the spirit of giving back, rather than taking away.
Hope for the future:
Charles A. Linburgh once said," In wilderness I sense the miracle of life,
and behind it our scientific accomplishments fade to trivia."
Wilderness lands are essential the the survival
of the mysterious and elusive Wolf.
Leaving behind prior misconceptions and learning
to understand the Wolf's role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem,
will help to ensure its survival.
And so will the understanding that this symbolic creature
is synonymous with wilderness.
Without one, the other cannot exist.
Together we can make the life a the wolf a safe one,
so that they may continue in natures harmony.
All information on this page was obtained
from the National Wildlife Foundation and Windsong.
Pictures on the next few pages are by Windsong Graphics...
