Read this leaflet from an environmental group to learn about this feared animal.
Where do they live?
Wolves live in the northern hemisphere, on three continents: Europe, Asia and North America. They are very adaptable: they can live in forests, on open plains, or in the snows of the Arctic.
What are they like?
They resemble big dogs, with long legs, a wide head and thick fur. In fact, all of our domestic dogs probably came from wolves many years ago. Wolves are about 1.5 to 2 metres long, and are about three quarters of a metre in height. So long as a wolf gets enough food, it will weigh about 40-50 kilograms.
What do they eat?
Although wolves usually prey on small mammals such as mice, rabbits and deer, they also hunt together to kill larger animals such as moose. When they kill a big animal, they gorge themselves, and then may not eat again for up to two weeks. If they are very hungry, they eat berries and seeds.
What is their family life like?
Wolves live in groups, which are called packs, with about six to eight wolves in a pack. Only one pair of wolves will bear cubs, but all of the members of the pack will help feed and protect the cubs.
Are they dangerous to people?
Since in many stories and films wolves attack people, it is natural that people should think they are fierce and dangerous. However, the truth is different. There is no proof that a wild wolf has ever harmed a human being. Indeed, usually wolves run away when they see people.
Are they in danger from people?
Yes, very much so. Wherever people have spread in the world, they have killed wolves, usually to protect their own livestock such as sheep and cattle. As a result, the numbers of wolves have been greatly reduced. They are extinct in many countries. In Britain, for example, wolves became extinct around 1650. Similarly, there used to be thousands of wolves in America, but now there are fewer than 2,000.
What is being done to help them?
About 20 or 30 years ago, people started to realize that wolves were threatened with extinction, and they slowly began initiating programmes to protect them. In many European countries, wolves are now protected by law. In Germany, for instance, where there are now very few wolves, a campaign has started to save them. It has several objectives. One is to better publicize the truth about wolves so people will not hate and kill them. Another aim is to preserve natural habitats for the wolves to live in. This has the advantage of helping many other forms of wildlife, as well. A third objective is to work out practical ways in which both people and wolves can live together. In a modern world, wolves cannot manage on their own without human support. Unless we help them in positive ways, they will disappear forever.
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