When will people learn that they do not run nature? Obviously some people can never accept that we share, and do not own, this world. That is why I am saddened by and angry at those who propose anti-wolf legislation. I can’t believe that they think destroying one of North America ‘s most beautiful, and ecologically important, animals is okay.

Once common across all of North America, the gray wolf is now only present in nine states and Canada . Almost brought to the brink of extinction in the 1930s by habitat encroachment and poachers, the wolf population in North America managed to persevere, and started to thrive again by the 1950s with help from wildlife conservationists. Today, wolves are still endangered although they are slowly returning to former habitats.

However, there are some in the United States who wish to see the wolf “problem” taken care of and want to make sure their populations are managed due to the killing of livestock, big game, and their danger to man. Their ugly solution to controlling the wolf is implementing anti-wolf legislation in their states, which would allow people to hunt down and kill wolves with state-approved methods.

Legislation aimed at managing wolf populations is cruel and ignores scientific evidence that shows wolves rarely pose any danger to man. Killing wolves also affects the delicate ecological balance of some habitats.

Defenders of Wildlife, an organization dedicated to saving and protecting threatened and endangered species, strongly support restoring wolf populations and reintroducing wolves to their former habitats. They provide scientifically supported reasons on their website why the wolf should be fully restored in North America .

One of their arguments for restoring and ensuring protection of wolf populations is how the wolf is an ecological necessity. A study supporting this argument was conducted by scientists in Yellowstone National Park , where they found that wolves played a major role in creating greater biodiversity in the park’s ecosystem.

Reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and 1996, wolves helped solve ecological problems that only a predatory animal could. Over long periods of time, elk herds in the park damaged wetlands and meadows by overgrazing. As the elks changed their grazing behaviors due to the wolves, these delicate lands were able to regenerate, allowing more suitable habitats for fish, birds, and beavers, and allowing the regrowth of vegetation and trees.

Another positive ecological effect of bringing back the wolf to Yellowstone was a 50 percent decrease in the population of coyotes in some areas of the park. This decrease allowed for an increase in the populations of the red fox and pronghorn.

Ed Bangs, a wolf recovery coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Yellowstone , was interviewed by Nova of PBS about his work to ensure wolf recovery and protection. During a talk about the issue of wolf attacks on livestock he explained how wolves do much less damage than they are accused of. He said that his research showed that wolves normally kill less than .01 percent of the livestock available to them. That is hardly the work of an out-of-control predator.

Bangs also said that is a compensation programs set up by wildlife organizations to help livestock producers who have lost their animals to wolves. He stated that his research strongly supports the fact that wolves are overall positive ecological factors in their environments and that they are an important predator that greatly influences the behavior of other animals.

Despite numerous studies, there are those who would still prefer to just kill wolves instead of learning more about the majestic animal. One of the more ugly examples is wolf management in Alaska , where hunters are given the right to ruthlessly murder these noble creatures.

Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska , enacted and supported an extensive wolf management program that allowed hunters to shoot down at wolves from airplanes and helicopters. Hunters could also land the aircrafts after chasing around the wolves and shoot them at point blank range as they lay collapsed from exhaustion. She even went as far as to offer a $150 bounty for the severed forelegs of wolves, as proof of participating in the hunting program. This is just one sickening example of the lengths a state will go to eradicate the wolf.

Alaska has continued to be criticized by scientists, animal rights activists, and research organizations for condoning such irresponsible and grotesque behavior. However, Alaska ‘s state officials aren’t the only ones. Several other leaders of states that hold significant wolf populations propose resolutions against wolf reintroduction and recovery that undermines the federal power of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which protects wolves in the states in which they live.

Thankfully, gone are the days in which settlers and ranchers killed the wolf unmercifully with full consent from the government. Today, anti-wolf legislation has to go up against an army of animal rights activists and conservationists. Since the 1950s and 1960s, most Americans have approached the wolf with understanding, rather than animosity, and there are many who are dedicated to ensuring the long-term survival of many native animals, including wolves.

Modern day defenders of wolves are, in a way, very similar to the original people of North America , who had the utmost respect towards the wolf. Native Americans considered the wolf their brother and understood that all living things had a specific role to play in life. They realized the importance of nature and believed that every living thing held a deep spirituality that affected others, unlike the ignorant and misguided view of modern wolf killers.

Currently, the wolf seems to have an optimistic future in North America thanks to the amazing work of conservationists and activists. The cruel and disgusting attitude of those who want to kill wolves for sport or profit is not what the majority of America feels about this beautiful creature. My hope is that wildlife supporters continue to stand up to human ignorance and hate towards nature, and educate those who still believe the misconceptions about the wolf.

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For more information on Defenders of Wildlife, visit them online at www.defenders.org.