National Wolf Awareness Week

Wolf Reintroduction

What exactly is it? What does it mean? Why all the controversy?

Reintroduction of wolves involves re-establishment of a population of wolves into areas where they had been previously extirpated, but this re-establishment is by artificial means. Reintroduction of wolves is only possible and can only be considered where there are large tracts of wilderness still existing. The other consideration would be this land has to have proper prey and enough of it to support the wolves in the reintroduction program.

In 1995, after many years of consideration, gray wolves were finally reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. They were also reintroduced to Idaho. The program was a success.

This has been a hot topic. Wolf reintroduction has strong advocates on both sides of the argument. Both those who support it and those who oppose it are very passionate about it. Wolf reintroduction has been considered for other places in the United States and even in various European countries. The battle concerning reintroduction has turned urban residents against those who reside in more rural areas. Of course, the rural residents tend to oppose it due to concerns for their livestock.

The good news here is that over the past several decades,there seems to be a change of attitude toward wolf reintroduction. The bad news is that those who oppose wolf reintroduction represent the majority on the issue.

We who love wolves and support their preservation and protection need to stand up and start being heard and counted so that we can Save The Wolves Now!