Why wolves?
We talk a lot about wolves. Here’s why.
The lonesome howl of a gray wolf may conjure romantic images of the American West, but the species has long been targeted for eradication. In the 1900s, gray wolves were trapped, poisoned, hunted, and otherwise largely eliminated from the Lower 48 United States. In 1960 no more than 800 remained of a wolf population that had numbered in the hundreds of thousands.1
The reintroduction of gray wolves to the wild in the 1990s — thanks to the tireless efforts of millions of Americans — is a powerful testament to America’s dedication to this often misunderstood creature and the wildness it represents.
“In wildness is the salvation of the world. Perhaps this is the hidden meaning in the howl of the wolf, long known among mountains, but seldom perceived among men.”Aldo Leopold
Why should we save America’s wolves? For their sake. For nature’s sake. And for ours.
For the Sake of Wolves
Spine-tingling howls, friendly whimpers, dominant growls — wolves’ complex social structure requires a rich language. Whether you ever hear one of those vocalizations, you know intuitively that for the wolf’s sake, we should not destroy that species.
For the Sake of Nature
The gray wolf’s return has had important environmental benefits too. For instance, trees and brush that had been overgrazed returned with the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park in the 1990s. The result: improved habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife along the park’s rivers, lakes, and streams.2
For Our Own Sake
We want and can have a world where wild wolves thrive, where we treasure and protect wildness itself. We want to know the wolf is out there howling.
The Threat to Wolves
In Wyoming, Oregon, the Great Lakes, and elsewhere in the U.S. wolves are losing vital federal protections. These majestic and ecologically important animals are being killed — or soon will be.
How You Can Help
With your support, we can end state-sponsored wolf killing in Wyoming and Oregon, stop Congressional legislation that would strip these iconic animals of federal protections, and much, much more.
Together, we can educate and activate our elected officials, the media, and nature-loving Americans everywhere in defense of America’s wolves. Together, we can also stand up for all that is wild, protect our treasured public lands, and green the way we all interact with the earth.
Donate to Help Save Wolves and Other Wildlife
Notes
1. Adrian P. Wydeven, Timothy R. van Deelen, Edward Heske, “Recovery of Gray Wolves in the Great Lakes Region of the United States,” Springer Science & Business Media, 2009.
2. “Wolf Reintroduction Changes Ecosystem,” MyYellowstonePark.com, June 21, 2011.