Page 19 - Gateways_Winter2016-17

Changing the Story for

Wolves

MEXICAN GRAY WOLF I t’s almost impossible to grow up without some
misinformation about wolves. Remember your
favorite childhood fairy tales? At least one
probably featured a wolf blowing down the
houses of innocent pigs, impersonating a grandma
to gobble children, or transforming from a man
into a monster at the full moon. And if you so
much as cry their name, you’re considered to be
a liar. We think wolves need a new publicist!
Contrary to what we were taught, wolves
are not greedy, tricky, evil, or any more ravenous
than your typical predator. They are intelligent,
with complex social structures and forms of
communication. Wolves generally live and travel
in packs, and while their attacks on livestock are
a challenge that must be addressed conscientiously,
they historically have been made the villain just
for trying to keep themselves and their families
alive. They have suffered a grim conservation
story, with their population numbers plummeting
precariously close to zero. Thankfully, dedicated
organizations like the Chicago Zoological
Society are working to protect wolves and restore
their numbers.
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