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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 by
"adopting" wolves.
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.
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 by
"adopting" wolves.
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.
| 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.
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.
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.
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.
Sincerely,
Dani Harper
Dani Harper
Dani Harper writes paranormal romance you can really sink your teeth into...