Coexistence of wolves and humans


"If the wolf is to survive, the wolf haters must be outnumbered. They must be outshouted, out financed, outvoted. Their narrow and biased attitude must be outweighed by an attitude based on an understanding of natural processes. Finally, their hate must be outdone by a love for the whole of nature, for the unspoiled wilderness, and for the wolf as a beautiful, interesting, and integral part of both." L. David Mech, The Wolf, 1970

 

The future of the wolf ultimately hinges on people's acceptance of its return. Through history there has been a reversal and a return in the attitude towards wolves in our culture. The issue now is which view will dominate. The biology associated with the return of the wolf has been and still is being studied, and now it seems that local sentiments of fear or inconvenience present the greatest threat to wolf survival in the United States. The wolf, as a large carnivore and a keystone species, plays a significant role as an indicator of changing attitudes towards wildlife and nature (Kellert et al., 1996). This attitude is important for all realms of conservation biology.

Wolves and livestock

Can the land support the return of the wolf?

Is there any future for the reintroduced wolf?

Conflicting views

 

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