Wolves Beware, Dangerous Humans

The new action film “The Grey” starring Liam Neeson is getting great reviews from the LA Times, Rolling Stone and a few other places. The reviewer at Rolling Stone admits there have been no documented wolf attacks against people, then he goes on to praise the merits of the film.

The plot revolves around a group of plane wrecked oil workers who have to contend with constant attacks from what is described as a group of “rogue wolves”. Neeson plays the wolf sniper. What exactly is a “rogue wolf”?

If anyone could answer that question it would probably be wolf researchers Marco Musiani, Luigi Boitani and Paul Paquet, whose latest publication, The World of Wolves, New Perspectives On Ecology, Behaviour And Management, explodes many of the myths surrounding wolves that “The Grey” seems hell bent on perpetrating.

Since being re-introduced to Yellowstone Park in 1995 and 1996, wolves have been shown to have dramatic effects on reviving dying ecosystems within the park.



In a recent study of Yellowstone wolves, soon to be published in “Biological Conservation”, wolves have been shown to dramatically alter damaged landscapes by herds of over-grazing elk. From the AP 1/2/12:

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Scientists say in a new study that the return of gray wolves has dramatically altered the landscape in portions of Yellowstone National Park by curbing foraging elk herds that prevented new aspen, willow and cottonwood trees from taking root.

Study author William Ripple from Oregon State University said tree stands are expanding in areas where for decades dense elk populations prevented new growth.

Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and 1996 after being killed off early last century. About 100 now roam the park, and elk numbers have dropped sharply.

As fewer elk allows the trees to rebound, Ripple says they are providing new habitat for songbirds and more food for beavers.

more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/02/study-yellowstone-wolves-trees_n_1179440.html

In Alaska and other states, the aerial slaughter of wolves is permitted. In some states, wolves are protected. On the central coast of Oregon, near the town of Yachats, is the White Wolf Sanctuary where activist Lois Tulleners, has been busily at work taking care of abused, abandoned and injured Arctic white wolves for over 20 years. Lois allows visitors to get close to the wolves at her sanctuary. These are not the rogue killer wolves in a soon to be forgotten Hollywood movie, but kind, even gentle intelligent beings who let you scratch them and even lick your face..

Check out this YouTube video my wife and I recently filmed during a visit to the White Wolf Sanctuary and give serious thought to boycotting a movie that fosters a harmful stereotype of an animal worth protecting. You can also spend your money wisely by supporting Lois at the White Wolf Sanctuary.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4armmEoJ69Y


John Parulis CWA 39521