Stop the hunt: Wolves are not monsters

By Gail Demeraski

With Halloween around the corner, discussions surrounding monsters and ghouls have become widespread once more. Among these monsters is the werewolf, a lycanthrope infamously known for having an insatiable thirst for blood. The origins of the myth are hard to identify, but references can be found throughout both Greek mythology and Nordic folklore. 

Outside of myths, the title “werewolf” has been given to serial killers and pedophiles as early as The Middle Ages. These “werewolves” were often executed alongside those associated with witchcraft according to an article published on the History Channel’s website. It was believed that the only way to alleviate the curse was by burning at the stake. 

Unfortunately, the scary reputation transcends the myths, and has warped the perception of real wolves.

Luckily, public opinion of wolves has shifted in recent years, with a study from 2020 showing tolerance in Montana has risen by 50% since 2017, according to Flathead Beacon, a Montana-based news organization. They claim that those directly affected, such as hunters, farmers or those who have had wolves reintroduced to their area tend to be the least tolerant of them. These negative biases cause deadly consequences for wolves.

In 2022, Montana passed hunting legislation that targeted wolves specifically, giving hunters the ability to trap and kill up to about 40% of the state’s population. Montana was not the only state to pass wolf hunting legislation. Idaho faced similar scrutiny in 2021 for allowing the legal hunting of around 90% of the state’s 1,500 wolves. The rules surrounding hunting methods such as shooting, strangulation traps and baiting from private areas have also been broadened following this legislation. The justification for this legislation is that gray wolves are no longer classified as an endangered species and it would not cause state populations to fall into critical levels. 

However, many, including myself, believe the legislation relies on old statistics and misconceptions about the relationships wolves have with both humans and the environment. 

The reintroduction of wolves to the western United States in 1995 proved to restore balance to their respective ecosystems. One of the impacts is the population control of ungulates, or hoofed mammals such as deer, moose and elk. When the population is out of control, ungulates tend to overgraze, causing a loss of biodiversity, soil degradation and lower fertilization. 

With reintroduction of wolves, ungulates now have to remain vigilant and keep on the move, which allows for regrowth in overgrazed lands. 

The hunting of ungulates by wolves has also allowed for other species to thrive. In Yellowstone and parts of Idaho, specifically, wolves have restored balance to the environment and food chain. They have directly caused beaver populations to thrive, as well as other wildflower, tree, insect, scavenger and trout populations, according to Living with Wolves, a nonprofit whose goal is to educate the public on wolves. With the regrowth of these populations, biodiversity has thrived and many different species, both animal and plant, are experiencing positive changes.  

Another common misunderstanding is the threat that wolves pose to humans. Wolves are predators, but are uninterested in human affairs more often than not. According to the International Wolf Center, there have been 489 reported wolf attacks worldwide between 2002 and 2020. Of those 489 attacks, 26 were fatal and 380 were due to rabies. Of the total number of cases, only 13% were predatory attacks. When you observe these numbers in relation to the global population of humans, the number is so small it is nearly impossible to calculate. Even though public opinion has drastically shifted in favor of wolves in recent years, there is still legislation, and distaste associated with them, unlike other predators. I believe we should be focusing our efforts on educating and changing the rhetoric surrounding them by keeping up to date with new studies and research surrounding wolves. Understanding the relationship wolves have with both humans and the environment is imperative, as they are more beneficial than harmful to their ecosystems and human well-being.

It is time for us to stop treating wolves like scary Halloween monsters and start advocating for their continued protection.

Gail Demeraski is a senior graphic design major