Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
tends a specified distance below the surface of the ground. This latter precaution is to keep the hybrid
from digging its way out.
It's not only the very young or the infirm who have problems with wolf-dog hybrids, either. Wolf ex-
pert Elizabeth Duman put it this way: “Very simply stated, any animal that is very much wolf is going
to exhibit enough wolf behavioral traits to warrant special handling.” This dictum is borne out nearly
every day, as thousands of people who loved the idea of a wolfish pet find that they can't handle its
wolfish behavior.
Some are bitten, though usually not seriously harmed, while others can't control the animals that are
ruining their homes. As a result of these and other problems, humane societies, organizations dealing
specifically with wolves, and similar groups are inundated with problem hybrids, most of which have
to be euthanized. Even though some wolf-dog hybrids are, and remain, sweet-tempered and biddable,
the majority of them cause problems. Don't acquire one!
Despite the controversy surrounding wolf reintroduction, it clearly is feasible and, many experts
would say, desirable in a few places in the United States. Two conditions must be met, however. First,
there must be a large, uninhabited area: there are simply too many problems connected with wolves in
proximity to humans, their livestock, and their pets to attempt reintroduction in settled areas. Second,
wolves that begin preying on domestic animals will often have to be killed. Trapping these individu-
als and moving them to new locations fails most of the time. Although many wolf lovers bitterly cri-
ticize any killing of wolves (the wolf-as-sainted-predator syndrome), those who value this great pred-
ator for what it is and are deeply committed to its survival recognize the necessity of this step. As L.
David Mech, who has done so much to further wolf survival, summarizes it, “It is unfortunate that some
wolves will have to be killed. However, this should be regarded as the necessary price for allowing
wolves to live elsewhere.”
With attitudes toward wolves rapidly shifting toward the Good Guy image, even if they sometimes
become sloppily and irrationally sentimental, it seems likely that we'll see more wolves, at least in cer-
tain parts of the United States. The real key to the future of this fascinating great predator is habitat
preservation. Take away the wild areas, and wolves will vanish. Preserve large blocks of wilderness,
and wolves will thrive.
