Gray Wolves Returned to Endangered Species List
Wolves are once again protected in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States. On Tuesday, October 14th, 2008, a court victory for environmentalists returned gray wolves to the endangered species list.
“The northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf is returned to the list of endangered and threatened species, with each of its component populations having the same status under the Endangered Species Act” said Federal Judge Donald Molly, in a written ruling handed down in Missoula, Montana. Twelve groups had challenged the United States Government’s decision in February 2008 to delist the gray wolf in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
Passionate in their commitment to protect wolves, the challengers refuted claims that the reintroduction of gray wolves had been a success. It was feared that delisting the species would lead to hunting of wolves, sanctioned by the authority of the individual states.
Before the early settlers arrived, gray wolves ranged across most of the continental United States. As the settlers moved in and encroached on the wilderness, the once massive herds of bison, elk and deer were scattered or annihilated. Natural predators, the carnivorous wolves began to attack domestic livestock and the settlers retaliated. US government agencies and ranchers paid a generous bounty on the pelts of wolves trapped or shot by hunters. Ironically, wildlife studies have shown that wolves have minimal negative impact on deer and elk populations, since they feed primarily on sick, weak or disabled individuals.
From Wolves to Dogs
Following is a possible scenario for how our modern day dogs came to be such a part of our human existence.
Some scientists say it began over 10,000 years ago. Somewhere, someplace an early human found a litter of wolf puppies she simply couldn’t pass up. In the litter was one cute wolf puppy with those proverbial “puppy dog eyes”. Home she went with the 4 week old pup.
Upon returning to camp, the others said she should take it back. It had been tried before with no success. Wolves were wild and could not be raised by humans. It would bite the babies when it got older. It would, in fact, bite the hand that fed it. But she kept the puppy.
Skip ahead a few months and things were far different than predicted. The pup was growing into a full grown wolf but was very social. It seemed to appreciate and relish the attention and never bit the children. Quite the contrary, it spent countless hours playing chase, tug of war, and hide and go seek with the human kids. This wolf pup was different to say the least.
From Wolf to Dog
“If humans were as varied as dogs we would range in height up to 22 feet tall and in weight more than 1,000 pounds” (courtesy National Geographic Channel). The dog is the most varied species of mammal due solely to the influence of man.
It is generally accepted knowledge that the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is the first domesticated animal and was developed from the grey wolf (Canis lupus). A domesticated animal is one that is not just tamed: but whose behavior, looks, and breeding habits have been permanently altered due to man’s influence. The domesticated animal is dependent upon man for survival.
Based on archeological evidence, the dog has been a working, hunting and companion animal for over 30,000 years. Although archeology has given us approximate dates for the early relationship between dog and man. Genetic research (DNA analysis) has provided additional clues for the transition from wolf to dog.
It is possible that the genetic changes or offshoots may have occurred as long as 135,000 years ago. Recent evidence from DNA analysis indicates that dog first originated in the middle east rather than the far east indicated by archeological evidence. Furthermore, based on genetic similarities it is now thought that there are four distinct branches based on geography from the common wolf ancestor.