|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Myth and legend surround the Wolf. From the 'villain' in fairytales to eerie mythical creatures like the werewollf, the wolf is mostly portayed in a negative light. While many large predators produce a sense of wariness, no animal is more misunderstood and has sparked more contoversy than the Wolf. It is the only animal on which humans declared war. Yet the Wolf survived some of the most intensive and prolonged extermination practices in history, these campaigns based on fiction rather than fact. Ironically, the Grey Wolf is the ancestor of the much loved domestic dog. Once the most widespread mammal, apart from humans, outside the tropics, there are now only two remaining Wolf species. The Grey Wolf and the endangered Red Wolf of southeastern US.
The Wolf's very existence is a moving tribute to the remarkable adaptability and intelligence of the species which has survived in the wild despite the fierce odds endured against human naivety and persecution.
Human tolerance of Wolves has many barriers, but knowledge gained from scientific studies has, fortunately, moderated the Wolf's reputation as a villain. Many countries are now investigating ways to reintroduce and aid recovery of Wolf populations.
|
|
|
