The Truth about Wolves
Fridolf, 8x10, oil, © June Rollins
Viewed as wild and deadly beasts through myth and folklore, wolves have gotten a bad rap. When observed in nature they’re highly intelligent, extremely social, and have close family bonds demonstrating displays of affection.
Yes, their size is intimidating. They are as long from nose to tail as we are tall. And if you’ve ever seen a paw print, the size of an average human hand, four inches wide by 5 inches long, you might shudder. But, they’re afraid of humans and when possible, avoid us. Fridolf, Old English origin, means “peaceful wolf.”
Wolves are known as a keystone species. If they went extinct, the food chain would crumble. Elk and deer would overpopulate and eat the cow and other livestock’s food which would lead to a shortage in beef and dairy.
Seventy years without wolves changed Yellowstone - songbirds left, elk and coyotes became overpopulated and beavers disappeared. Looks like we need that big bad wolf.
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