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| Protecting Wild Wolves Why I got involved |
For the latest news on wolves in Alaska, go to http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/wolf/alaska.html |
I write fiction about wolves and wolf-like fantasy creatures. To do so believably, I do a lot of research and also draw on my
own experiences and those of my Alaskan neighbors. I lived in northwestern Canada for thirty years and often heard the
songs of wolves at night. I've been privileged to observe a pack in the wild, and felt frustrated when another pack made off
with the geese from my farm and a neighbor's calf. So I've seen wolves from both sides, so to speak, both beauty and beast.
I still have enormous respect for the wolf.
I believe that predators are an essential part of the ecosystem. I recognize that the deer and moose need the wolves as much
as the wolves need them. A wolf pack selects the sick and the weak, leaving the stronger, smarter, healthier animals to breed.
Up until a year ago, I was unaware that wild wolves might be in any danger in my area of the world. There are lots of them
here in Alaska, even more than there were in northern Canada.
Then I read a local newspaper article about Alaskan government's sudden revival of their aerial shooting program. In
subsequent study of this issue, I have not been satisfied that the government has adequately researched the alleged problem
of wolf overpopulation. Plus, the government has disregarded the enormous public outcry against the aerial hunt.
I am not against hunting for food or defense, including defense of livelihood when necessary, but to me, the aerial shooting
program smacks of indiscriminate slaughter.
This presented a difficult decision for me. I've seldom given my support to conservation groups, because I've often felt they
did little but wring their hands, write impassioned letters and collect money. I watched Defenders of Wildlife in action on the
Alaska wolf issue and was impressed enough to find out more. I haven't been disappointed. Out of the many groups I've
looked at, this one seems to take real action to prevent and resolve conflict between humans and predators. I'm now a
supporter of this organization.
I'm hoping that the combined efforts of wildlife groups and the residents of Alaska will be successful in persuading the state
government to reconsider its present policy of wolf management through extermination. I'm hoping there will be experienced
and knowledgeable people appointed to the Alaska Board of Game. And I'm hoping that genuine studies will be undertaken
and reliable data gathered upon which to base government decisions in the future.
Most of all I hope for a day when wolves are no longer "managed" by political whim. In fact, I'd rather they weren't
"managed" at all, but left alone to be what they are: a natural part of the wild world.
own experiences and those of my Alaskan neighbors. I lived in northwestern Canada for thirty years and often heard the
songs of wolves at night. I've been privileged to observe a pack in the wild, and felt frustrated when another pack made off
with the geese from my farm and a neighbor's calf. So I've seen wolves from both sides, so to speak, both beauty and beast.
I still have enormous respect for the wolf.
I believe that predators are an essential part of the ecosystem. I recognize that the deer and moose need the wolves as much
as the wolves need them. A wolf pack selects the sick and the weak, leaving the stronger, smarter, healthier animals to breed.
Up until a year ago, I was unaware that wild wolves might be in any danger in my area of the world. There are lots of them
here in Alaska, even more than there were in northern Canada.
Then I read a local newspaper article about Alaskan government's sudden revival of their aerial shooting program. In
subsequent study of this issue, I have not been satisfied that the government has adequately researched the alleged problem
of wolf overpopulation. Plus, the government has disregarded the enormous public outcry against the aerial hunt.
I am not against hunting for food or defense, including defense of livelihood when necessary, but to me, the aerial shooting
program smacks of indiscriminate slaughter.
This presented a difficult decision for me. I've seldom given my support to conservation groups, because I've often felt they
did little but wring their hands, write impassioned letters and collect money. I watched Defenders of Wildlife in action on the
Alaska wolf issue and was impressed enough to find out more. I haven't been disappointed. Out of the many groups I've
looked at, this one seems to take real action to prevent and resolve conflict between humans and predators. I'm now a
supporter of this organization.
I'm hoping that the combined efforts of wildlife groups and the residents of Alaska will be successful in persuading the state
government to reconsider its present policy of wolf management through extermination. I'm hoping there will be experienced
and knowledgeable people appointed to the Alaska Board of Game. And I'm hoping that genuine studies will be undertaken
and reliable data gathered upon which to base government decisions in the future.
Most of all I hope for a day when wolves are no longer "managed" by political whim. In fact, I'd rather they weren't
"managed" at all, but left alone to be what they are: a natural part of the wild world.
Defenders of Wildlife helped pioneer the use of economic incentives to promote protection of endangered species on
private lands. Experts credit The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust, which pays livestock owners for
losses to wolf predation, as the most important factor contributing to the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone
National Park and the Northern Rockies.
In addition, Defenders of Wildlife created The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund using
innovative approaches to prevent conflict between imperiled predators and humans before they occur.
private lands. Experts credit The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust, which pays livestock owners for
losses to wolf predation, as the most important factor contributing to the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone
National Park and the Northern Rockies.
In addition, Defenders of Wildlife created The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund using
innovative approaches to prevent conflict between imperiled predators and humans before they occur.
| Click the Defenders Icon above to see recent news on wolves in Alaska and other places. |
Defenders of Wildlife has been a leader in wolf conservation since wolves first appeared
on the federal endangered species list. In recent years, Defenders helped restore wolves to the
Northern Rockies and played key roles in the reintroduction of gray wolves to the Southwest and
red wolves to the Southeast.
These events involved species or subspecies that, in the contiguous 48 states, were extinct or
nearly so in the wild. Restoration of these animals represents a major step in correcting earlier
errors in public policy and in repairing ecological imbalances. Read Defenders' award-winning
publication, Places for Wolves, for a look at a realistic plan for wolf recovery in the lower 48
states.
on the federal endangered species list. In recent years, Defenders helped restore wolves to the
Northern Rockies and played key roles in the reintroduction of gray wolves to the Southwest and
red wolves to the Southeast.
These events involved species or subspecies that, in the contiguous 48 states, were extinct or
nearly so in the wild. Restoration of these animals represents a major step in correcting earlier
errors in public policy and in repairing ecological imbalances. Read Defenders' award-winning
publication, Places for Wolves, for a look at a realistic plan for wolf recovery in the lower 48
states.
Sincerely,
Dani Harper
Dani Harper
