Running Head: THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON 1

The Senseless Slaughter of a Great American Icon: The Wolf Mary E. DeVault Everest University Professor: Dr. M. Rowe

THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON Abstract This paper discusses the brutal practice of aerial wolf hunting and the senseless destruction of such a great animal. It provides information that will tell you about how the wolf is an integral part of a delicate ecosystem. Both sides of a much debated topic

are reviewed: The viewpoints of a well known politician, the former Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin, as well as the position of ranchers, who have fears of wolves being reintroduced into new areas. The ranchers concerns are that their livestock could become a target for a wolf meal. Statistics in regards to wolf attacks vs. death of humans in certain areas of the world are shown. The paper argues that man can safely co-exist among the wolf and have no fear of these animals.

THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON The Senseless Slaughter of a Great American Icon: The Wolf Imagine walking through a dense forest minding your own business, when

suddenly from right above you came the most frightening sound you have ever heard. You start to run as fast as you can to escape the noise, but you are chased down from this aerial intruder and shot in the back. The pain is searing through your body like a hot knife. You try your hardest to chew at your back to get the object in your back out to hopefully relieve your pain. You then see this big bird land a few feet away from you, and someone walks up to you with a big stick-like object, (to a man it is called a rifle or shotgun) and you are then shot at point blank range. Your life blood flows from your body, and you die in agony. What I just described is exactly what happens in an aerial wolf hunt. This is one of the most cruel and unsportsmanlike ways of hunting. Shooting the wolf from a plane or helicopter does not kill the animal instantly. Instead, it is an agonizing way to die. This is not hunting; this is slaughter of the worst kind, only to obtain a trophy pelt or to collect a bounty for the animal. Aerial wolf hunting needs to be banned throughout the North American continent, due to the fact that the wolf is an integral part of the natures delicate ecosystem; therefore, just because wolves are being reintroduced into an area, ranchers should have no fear about the wolves having devastating impact on their livestock. These are just unfounded fears. Besides, wolves are more afraid of man, (and they should be) than we should ever be of them. According to Samantha Henig (2008), the former Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin supports aerial wolf hunting because aerial hunting brings better results than the traditional

THE SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON way of hunting. She makes it clear that you can cover a lot more ground and get a clear

advantage over the animal to be able to make the kill. Since 2003, Alaska has given out aerial wolf hunting licenses in certain areas where supposedly the moose and elk herds are depleted because of the wolf. They are not taking into account all the trophy hunters out there that also kill the moose and elk not only for supper but for their antlers. The practice of aerial wolf hunting was found very unsportsmanlike because it does go against the fair chase ethic, and gunmen from the air very rarely get a clean shot so they are able to kill the wolf with just one bullet. Ms. Palin suggests that wolves are the reason for the socalled low populations of moose, elk and deer, and that the culling of wolves establishes a better way for the moose, elk and deer herds to populate. She is an avid hunter, and also a known trophy hunter. So no wonder why she would approve of such things (Burke, 2010). Ms. Palin even tried to offer a $150.00 bounty for each left foreleg of a wolf brought to her (Benjamin, 2008). Alaska claims that shooting wolves from a plane or helicopter is based on science. According to Jeff Hughes, former Regional Director of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Ben Grussendorf, a current board member, they can not justify this type of a program. Most likely the cause of the decline in the wild herds is because of harsh winter, inadequate habitat, poaching, and lack of law enforcement in the area. These are the factors that have caused declines in herd members, not the wolves (Keeler L, Keeler B, 2008). Not only does Alaska want to blame the wolf for low populations of ungulate herds, but also in Yellowstone people want to blame the wolf for the low ungulate population problem. It was

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discovered that too many missed meals may have been the cause of the decline in population of elk (Study, 2009). Scott Creel, an ecology professor at Montana State, discovered for himself that other factors played a cause in the decline. These factors were drought, diminished forage, too high a hunter harvest late in the winter, and predation on elk calves by bears. He also noted that although some calves are being lost to predators, very few were being killed by wolves in their first six months of life. He managed to find this out by his radio collar studies (Study, 2009). Man just does not take the time to try to understand the way this remarkable animal operates in its environment. Without the wolf, the delicate ecosystem would be destroyed. In a 2003 article in the Science Daily, it was mentioned that just by reintroduction of wolves into the Yellowstone National Park region, that the cottonwood tree is making a comeback. Elk herds love to eat the smaller saplings of the cottonwoods that grow by the small streams and rivers in Yellowstone National Park. Since the reintroduction of the wolf, the saplings have been able to take hold and grow to be a size where the elk do not eat them anymore. The importance of this is really simple. The cottonwood trees growing near the stream or river plays a vital role in the reduction of erosion surrounding the area. According to Diane Saxe PhD of the Lake Superior News on March 18, 2010, it was noted that wolves contribute to a rich biodiversity. The wolfs presence is a good indication that other natural species are healthy. Why, you ask does this happen? The wolf plays a vital role in the natural selection of animals. E. M. Fay of the newsletter, The C.A.S.H. Courier Spring 2010 issue, wolves seek out only the weak, old, injured and sickly members of the herd, leaving only the strongest ones to regenerate the gene pool; whereas, the sportsman generally kills not for the food, but for

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the biggest antlers, (which is the hunter trophy) or for the thrill of the hunt. Keep in mind that when the sport hunters are out there doing this their aim is to kill the largest, healthiest member of the herd. This is most often the biggest male with the largest set of antlers, while the role of the wolf is completely the opposite. With the hunters type of selection, the result is a weaker gene pool for the herd. It is also well documented that the return of the wolf has a beneficial economic and recreational impact. Wolves in Yellowstone National Park, for example, were the main cause for tourists to spend $35 million dollars in 20-05, according Duffield (As cited in Licht [Link], 2010). Also it was noted by Duffield and his colleagues that 325,000 visitors saw wolves that year. Having them repopulate areas that they were currently extinct from, can result in millions of dollars of tourist revenue (Licht et. Al, 2010). Ranchers have another issue with the wolf. They fear for their livestock. Ranchers cannot legally kill wolves, but this often does not stop them from trying. Being caught and fined or jailed for their illegal kill just adds to their frustration. In Montana in 2008, a group of ranchers and conservationists worked together to solve this very problem. Wolf packs were marked and tracked, while the conservationists and naturalists stood nighttime vigils over cattle to help keep the wolf away (Smith, 2008). Sounds familiar doesnt it? King David in the Holy Bible stood vigil over flocks of sheep and goats, to keep the lion and guess what, the wolf away from the herds. So it may seem that even though opposing viewpoints of ranchers and conservationists differ, because of their love of the land and respect for nature, they can come together to solve this very issue (Smith, 2008). It may very well be that the rancher that does not want to lose his her to the wolf or other predators may very

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well have to go back to what was done in King Davids time. Stand vigil over the flocks by night. If it worked for King David it certainly can work now. The other unfounded fear of the wolf stems from nothing more the folklore and legends. The werewolf that is on a rampage throughout the village killing anyone who gets in its path brings fear and dread to the minds of people. This kind of thinking stems right on over to the poor wolf. Wolves in the wild are generally afraid of humans and will do their best to avoid contact with man (North Cascades National Park Interpretive Staff, 2004). There have only ever been two recorded fatal attacks from a wolf on a human in North America. Sarah Gilman in February 2006, did a report where by on November 8, 2005, a search party found the partially eaten body of a 22-year-old man by the name of Kenton Joel Carnegie. His body was found in the forest of northern Saskatchewan. Mr. Carnegie left his campsite and went for a walk only to never return to the surveyors camp where he was working from. Mr. Paul Paquet, and ecologist from the University of Calgary, investigated this case and found that due to the recent increase in energy development in the remote area, more and more people are leaving it littered with open garbage dumps. Four wolves who fed at the dumpsite had lost their natural fear of man. It is suspected that those wolves are the culprits. Three of the four wolves have been tragically killed, even though a bear attack has not been ruled out. Mr. Paquet also stated: To prevent wolves from becoming accustomed to humans, secure and food left in dumps or campsites. People should stay at least 100 yards from wolves and not hand feed them. Another fatal attack was published March 10, 2010 in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. A woman by the name of Candace Berner who was a 32 year-old school teacher from Slippery Rock was found in the remote woods of the Alaskan

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village Chignik Lake. It is the first recorded fatal attack by a wolf in that state. Apparently, she was on her nightly run on a rough road in the woods when some kids on an ATV passed by her. The kids came back down that road and found a bloody glove on the path. Soon, they spotted her body on the side of the road badly mauled by an animal. This was at 6:45 p.m. Monday night. Daniel Blizzard and Alaska State trooper told Mr. Berner the victims father that, she had teeth marks in her throat, and her left arm and side were pretty messed up. Trooper Blizzard was also quoted as saying, They are 99% certain that it was a wolf that attacked his daughter. Ms. Ipsen a spokeswoman for the Division of Alaska State Troopers stated, Its way too early to point your finger in one way or another, and part of that is the unlikeliness of a wolf attack. Ms. Ipsen also noted that if the death was caused by a wolf, that it will be the first one ever recorded by the law enforcement agency, which was started in 1941 (Wolf, 2010). There is also documentation that points out that even though only a handful of fatal attacks on humans by wolves were recorded in India, Europe and Russia; experts still say that in North America the odds are extraordinarily low for a fatal attack to occur. L. David Mech, a leading wolf geologist perfectly made this point clear by saying: Wolves are still not any more dangerous than they ever were. (Gilman, 2006). Here are some statistics that were reported by author John D. C. Linnell and others with him that collaborated on the project that was completed January 2002. These statistics are for a one hundred year period from 1900 2000. Rabid Wolves Europe 220 attacks 5 deaths India 77 attacks 5 deaths 1900 2000 No Rabid Wolves Europe 53 attacks 22 deaths India 426 attacks 388 deaths

SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON Russia 179 attacks 14 deaths

Russia 43 attacks 36 deaths

Wolves are not evil or menacing, they are social creatures; and the more we take time to understand them, the more we can learn how to co-exist with the wolves without hunting them down. They use a series of howls that can be heard for miles, to call the pack together for a hunt, or for protection of the pack. They use certain communications with one another, such as growls, yips, snaps of the jaw to make their point. Sometimes the can seem ruthless, by killing a weak, old or injured member of their pack. This is not ruthless to them; this is allowing for the strongest members of the pack to survive. Then the food supply will be given to the strongest members of the pack insuring a good gene pool for future wolf populations. This is survival of the fittest. This is what happens in nature. We as humans have to learn to live and let live. Remember God made them before He made man. This is their land. We are the intruders into their territory with our development into wilderness areas. As humans with a heart for compassion we need to learn to stop, and listen to the call of that great American icon, the wolf.

SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON References

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Benjamin, Mark ( September 8, 2008) Salon News Her Deadly Wolf Program Retrieved June 26, 2010 from: [Link] Burke, P (March 10, 2009) Sarah, Sarah, Sarah the Palin Blues. Rietrieved Juned 1, 2010 from [Link] Fay, E.M. (Spring 2010) The C.A.S.H. Courier Wolves and coyotes: Their Place in the Ecosystem is Recognized. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from [Link] Gilman, S (February 6, 2006) High County News First Fatal wolf Attack Recorded in North America? Retrieved June 1, 2010 from: http//[Link]/issues315/16084/print_view Groups seek order to stop bounties. (March 27, 2007). Anchorage Daily News (Anchorage, AK), p.N.A. Retrieved June 12, 2010, from General OneFile via Gale: [Link] Henig,S. (September 2, 2008) Aerial Wolf Gunning 101 What is it and why does VP nominee Sarah Palin support the practice? Retrieved June 7, 2010 from [Link] Keeler, L. , Keeler, D (2008) You Can Stop Alaskas Wolf Hunting Program! (and prevent it from spreading to other states) Retrieved June 1, 2010 from http:// [Link]

SENSELESS SLAUGHTER OF A GREAT AMERICAN ICON References Lict, D S, Millspaugh, JJ, Kunkel, K E, Kochanny, CO & Peterson, R O (February 2010) Using small populations of wolves for ecosystem restoration and stewardship. BioScience, 60 2 P.147(7). Retrieved June 12, 2010, from General OneFile via Gale: [Link] prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lirn_crevc

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Linnell, John D.C., Andersen R., Anderdone, Z., Balciauskas L., Blanco, Juan C., Boitani, L., Brainerd, S., Breitenmoser. U., Kojola, I., Liberg, O., Loe, J., Okarma, H., Pedersen, H.C., Promberger, C., Sand, H., Solberg, E., Valdmann, H., Wabakken, P., THE FEAR OF WOLVES: A review of wolf attacks on humans (January 2002), p.40 Retrieved: June 16, 2010 from [Link] North Cascades National Park Interpretive Staff (March 30, 2004) Wolves in the North Cascades: Questions and Answers. Retrieved: June 7, 2010 from: http//[Link]/archive/noca/wolf/htm Oregon State University (October 29, 2003) Wolves are Rebalancing Yellowstone Ecosystem. Science Daily. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from: [Link] Saxe, D. PhD. (March 18, 2010) Lake Superior News Living with Wolves. Retrieved June 11, 2010 from: [Link] [Link]

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Smith, C. (April 15, 2008). Wolves in Paradise. Booklist, 104, 16. p.60(1). Retrieved June 12, 2010 from General OneFile via Gale: http//[Link]/gps/[Link]?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lirn_crevc Study of falling elk population looks at food. (July 17, 2009). Billings Gazette (Billings, MT), p.N.A. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from General OneFile via Gale: [Link] prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lirn_crevc Wolf may have killed Slippery Rock Native in Alaska: Officials say fatal attacks by wolves are extremely rare. (March 11, 2010). Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, PA), p.N.A. Retrieved June 16, 2010, from General OneFile via Gale: [Link] prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lirn_crevc