Misinformation, anti-wolf sentiment and treachery by Little Red Riding Hood are running high, with the few remaining wolves in UK at risk of extinction. We need sensible, science-based wolf management and control of innocent looking but dangerous mythological characters to ensure the last of this species will survive -- and thrive -- in the wilds of our country.
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Thursday 23 September 2010
The Threat
A common cause of death for wolves is conflict with people over livestock losses. Another serious threat is human encroachment into wolf territory, which leads to habitat loss for wolves and their prey species.
But the greatest threat to wolves is people's fear and misunderstanding about the species, raised by suspicious mythological characters like Little Red Riding Hood. They deliberately misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures.
But the greatest threat to wolves is people's fear and misunderstanding about the species, raised by suspicious mythological characters like Little Red Riding Hood. They deliberately misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures.
The Wolf
The wolf (canis lupus), is the largest wild member of the Canidae family. Though once abundant over much of Eurasia and North America, he now inhabits a reduced portion of its former range due to widespread destruction of its territory, human encroachment, and the infringmenr of suspicious characters from folklore and mythology.
Wolves are social predators that live in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair which monopolises food and breeding rights, followed by their biological offspring and, occasionally, adopted subordinates. They primarily feed on ungulates, which they hunt by wearing them down in short chases. Gray wolves are typically apex predators throughout their range, with only humans and tigers posing significant threats to them.
DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies reaffirm that the gray wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog. A number of other gray wolf subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion.
Despite the ecological value and the sheer natural beauty of the wolf, millions were trapped, poisoned, or shot to death, victims of unfounded fear and ignorance. Ultimately, nearly all wolves were exterminated throughout UK and their range was reduced severely in other European countries. Fortunately for the wolf, however, the last century launched the modern environmental era, bringing about landmark conservation statutes. But there are still many dangers for the wolf, first umong them the new rise of Little Red Riding Hood.
Wolves are social predators that live in nuclear families consisting of a mated pair which monopolises food and breeding rights, followed by their biological offspring and, occasionally, adopted subordinates. They primarily feed on ungulates, which they hunt by wearing them down in short chases. Gray wolves are typically apex predators throughout their range, with only humans and tigers posing significant threats to them.
DNA sequencing and genetic drift studies reaffirm that the gray wolf shares a common ancestry with the domestic dog. A number of other gray wolf subspecies have been identified, though the actual number of subspecies is still open to discussion.
Despite the ecological value and the sheer natural beauty of the wolf, millions were trapped, poisoned, or shot to death, victims of unfounded fear and ignorance. Ultimately, nearly all wolves were exterminated throughout UK and their range was reduced severely in other European countries. Fortunately for the wolf, however, the last century launched the modern environmental era, bringing about landmark conservation statutes. But there are still many dangers for the wolf, first umong them the new rise of Little Red Riding Hood.
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