Howling to be Heard: An Introduction to Wolves
One winter afternoon in 2009 I was driving on a state highway through central Wisconsin on my way back to school in Southeastern Minnesota. Fresh snow blanketed the beautiful hardwood forests in the surrounding area as I cruised along at 60 mph. Suddenly, about a quarter mile ahead, a large animal slowly crossed the highway. I had lived in the Midwest for 23 years and until that moment I had never seen any animal like this cross a road. This was not a deer, bear, or a raccoon. It was too big to be a domestic dog. Having no idea what it was I slowed my Buick down to 10mph, scanning the forest alongside the highway. As I neared the point where the animal had crossed I saw, standing at the edge of the forest, methodically and majestically, a massive timber wolf.
I immediately stopped my car to admire the spectacular creature. There it stood about 50 feet from my vehicle. I had never seen an animal so beautiful, so majestic, and so wild. It was as if the spirit of the wild was summoning me to the forest. As I stared into its yellow eyes, and it back at me, I made a connection with a species that has captivated me ever since.
Wolves are a fascinating species that has simultaneously fascinated and unnerved the human imagination since the dawn of time. For thousands of years we lived side by side these intriguing animals. Throughout our history we formed myths, legends, symbols, and opinions around wolves. The wolf has been a symbol in mythology since the dawn of western civilization. Throughout its existence no species has undergone more study, persecution, and government regulation than the wolf.
Since that day in college my keen interest in wolves has only grown. I studied their history, I learned about their survival techniques and behaviors, and I was saddened when I first discovered that many people demonize the wolf. To some, wolves represent the spirit of the wilderness while to others they are bloodthirsty killers. In reality, wolves are wild animals that serve a vital role. Through their behavior and adaptations they keep their ecosystem healthy and maintain a balance among native species.
In my exploration of the world of wolves and I found that wherever wolves travel, controversy travels with them. Whether you love them or hate them, support their recovery efforts or think they hold no place in the world, this series of weekly blogs will provide you with some fascinating information you may not have known about the relative of man’s best friend. In the upcoming weeks I will explore the history of wolves, their role in ecosystems as keystone species, and the wolf/human relationship. If you are a wolf supporter or if you would just like to know a little more about this enthralling animal, check my weekly blog post and I’m sure you will learn some valuable information. So join me each week and take a trip on this fascinating journey into the intriguing world of wolves.