In order to better understand why wolves have become such a nuisance to many Americans, I believe it would be beneficial to take a more intensive look at their habitat and living conditions. By doing so, we can find out how the wolf and human population overlaps in such a way one might consider exterminating some of the wolves. Because the most populous wolf in Alaska is the gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf, I will focus specifically on them.
The habitat of wolves includes most of the northern hemisphere and is becoming larger as they become more adapted to different climates. Generally, wolves are known to mainly inhabit forests, arctic tundra, and prairie. Known for being predatory animals, wolves are often feared and many seek to kill them off in areas where humans are especially predominant. Wolves are extremely well adapted and can quickly adapt to new environments whose temperatures can be as far varied as -70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It is for this reason they have adapted to almost every environment except extremely cold environments and desert. Wolves have actually been intentionally killed out in a lot of areas where people have made wolves unwelcome, usually because they do not understand the the place of the wolf in the local ecosystems and food chains.
In the lower fourty eight states there are approximately 2,500 wolves and in Alaska there is estimated to be anywhere from 7,000 to 11,000 wolves. So, while they are not endangered in Alaska, due to years of preservation, they are having some trouble maintaing their ground in the rest of the United States. Also, with the recent extermination of wolves, the wolves are unable to control the populations of their prey by killing the weakest in each group, which strengthens the overall dynamics of the group. While this may not have an immediate effect, as the weaker prey are allowed to breed, who knows what this will do for the overall population.
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I'm Andrew. The argument behind this post is that humans believe that wolves are dangerous and when they live near humans they are a threat. When wolves are concentrated near human habitats many people will kill wolves. The molestation of the species in many areas is affecting natural selection because the wolves are not able to control how their group evolves. Typically they willl kill off the weakest in the group in order to keep further generations strong; however, with humans doing the killing there is no way to select. This is a good point when discussing how wolves are affected by humans. Is this being controlled right now or is the government interfering in this??
In the last paragraph you said there are about 2,500 wolves in Alaska and between 7,000 and 11,000 in the U.S. Since wolves have become a feared predator to humans and we started killing them, how has that affected the numbers previous to their extermination in Alaska and throughout the country? What would be an estimated number that declares a species extinct? If there are only around 10,000 wolves in the United States, that is about 200 wolves per state. It seems like a low number already? Or am I completely wrong and that is a really high number for a species? I think that we should really restrict the shooting of these beautiful animals because that is how populations in the food chain become over abundant, which then causes an imbalance in the ecosystem that can eventually affect us. I think it is ironic how we kill these animals we fear who wander in to "our" areas when really this is their land too and we are pushing them out of it as our population increases and homes, industrial and commercial buildings, roads, and all are being built constantly. We need to learn how to share with these predators in order to sustain a balanced ecosystem.
In your past paragraph you mentioned some pretty big numbers but why is there such a major difference? Why is the number of wolves in one state so much more than in the other lower 48?
I would also like to comment on the fact that you mentioned the wolves habitat as a specific location, is it possible that the areas where these shootings and extermination of wolves is in areas that are not natural homes for wolves? You have to remember that there are becoming more and more visible signs of global warming and that may be a factor to why wolves could be found in other locations.
Lastly, I support your efforts to help protect these animals but if wolves are being found near human habitats then it is most likely that they will be killed due to safey issues. But can the government step in and do something about this or have they begun to do something about this?
This post is very interesting and does a good job explaining the distribution of the wolf population throughout the United States. I am curious to know why humans feel the need to control the wolf population? I understand that people feel threatened by wolves because they are predatory animals, however, what evidence is there to back up this statement? Are there statistics on wolf attacks in parts of the United States? It doesn't seem very logical. People need to be exposed to the research on habitats and role of the wolf in the food chain before they start exterminating these animals. They may be causing more damage than they are aware of.
My concern with this topic is how, if exterminated, would this keep the ecosystem in order. Throwing off one group in that food cycle can severe alter and affect all the other species. You have to be sure that you are considering the area as a whole and how it would interact, including differences in the other animals that effect or are effected by this. Its all a giant connection we have to worry about...it would take a lot of time to evaluate what properly needs to be done...its a complicated situation
(In response to Andrew) Currently, it has been the decision of Alaskan officials to allow the aerial shooting of wolves by those with a license, which is extremely hard to regulate. Many wolves are being killed aerially by people who do not have the right to do so.
(In response to Krista) I think you got your facts a little confused. There are actually 7,00 to 11,000 wolves in Alaska and 2,500 wolves in the lower 48 states. In order for a species to be extinct there has to be none left (that we know of) and classifying an animal as endangered is a very long process and a lot of research has to be done before it is put on the list. You are right about it being a very small number for such a large area, though (when considering the lower 48 states).
(In response to fashionable tree hugger) From the research I have done, there is such a major difference in the numbers because Alaska provides the ideal environment for wolves. From the prey they have around them to the climate, it is just an area where the wolves are able to thrive. Also from my research, the habitat of wolves can be so far spread that I don't think they could be out of their natural habitat in Alaska. Lastly, if you are curious about the threat of wolves to humans, please read my most recent post. In the last 100 years there has not been a healthy wolf that has killed a human (not including rabid wolves).
(In response to Erin) I am very glad you asked these questions, which I have answered in my most recent post. Hopefully you will find it interesting and factual.
(In response to Kristy) If wolves were eliminated or their population was seriously depleted, their prey populations would grow out of control. This was actually proven when just a few decades ago wolves were in short supply and the moose and caribou populations became very high. And you are definitely right... this is a VERY complicating situation and I am trying to shed light on it.
Oh, and also to fashionable tree hugger... I love that you brought up the subject of global warming. I will definitely have to use some of that research on a future post! Thanks!
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