Wolf

Back in the 1980s we went to see a movie called, "Never Cry Wolf."  It was kind of an educational movie, mixed in with some adventure and a big shot of humor.

The scientist wanted to embed himself with the wolves for a set period of time.  He was dropped off in no man's land, and then waited for a helicopter drop to bring his temporary home and the supplies he needed for his work.

The scientist's idea as he waited to have a little more contact with the wolves was to urinate all over his territory, kind of like he'd seen them do.  For this purpose, he drank a lot of tea, went about his business, and was rewarded with some reaction from the wolves who began to see him more like another, albeit strange, animal.  He could get in closer and observe better.

He ate what the wolves ate and that was pretty funny but gross.  During the nice warm summer he got rid of most of his clothes.  He found that wolves dine on mice mostly and are really good at finding them.  He watched them raise their young. 

He happened to be on an open stretch of land when a herd of buffalo ran by and it was a near miracle that he wasn't trampled.

He debunked the savage image of the wolf, at least in his own mind.  But we all know that any hungry animal is likely to be quite savage in order to survive.  What got wolves in trouble as the west was settled was that they just couldn't leave the chickens, calves, and lambs alone.

So this morning, I see that a roaming female gray wolf that had made its way hundreds of miles from her home, a tagged animal, was shot and killed by a hunter that mistook her for a coyote.  The first wolf that had come to the area in 70 years!  How sad really.  It's the kind of story that makes me realize that the animals have a lot of enemies to confront.  Not only hunger or the need to find a mate, but certainly people who don't do them any favors. 

So this wolf's life has ended.  The hunter could get jail time.  He doesn't get the pelt.  No one should.  Early settlers killed the bison off.  The desire for a beaver fur hat almost did that species in.  There's nothing wrong with hunting for our need, but not to the point of extinguishing an entire species for it. 

That is just being boorish and hoggish, note the comparison to other animals. 

Like hunting sharks only for their fins.  Disgusting.

I'm not writing a very uplifting story today, am I?  I'll try harder tomorrow, Saturday, a day when we are probably going to get a little more snow.  The schools are in session today == all the class valentine's day parties are going to be held.  I hope every child comes home with a ton of valentines and a feeling that his or her classmates like them a lot!

Take care.  Talk to you tomorrow then.