This is a lengthy rant post, talking about my thoughts and experiences with the conservation and mostly cultural depictions of the wolf. I talk a lot about persecution and specific negative depictions of the animal. This isn't exactly the most positive read, if this sort of thing isn't allowed on the subreddit then by all means delete it. I've been working 12 hour shifts and have had a lot of time alone with my thoughts and figure I'd jot them down somewhere

I find the recent move by the Bern Convention decision to downgrade the conservation status of wolves in Europe to be deeply upsetting. Wolves have had a constant uphill fight in Europe and are extinct in many parts of the continent due to hunting. What I find particularly bothersome about it is the fact the politician who pushed for it, Ursula von der Leyen, did so entirely out of a personal vendetta against the species, as her pony was killed by one in late 2022. Even other European politicians have characterized her fixation on wolves as bizarre and unusual. According to the European Commission's estimates, there are about 20,000 wolves in Europe and 0.06% of domestic sheep in the continent (about 60 million) are killed by them annually.

I'm not a farmer and don't live in proximity to wolves. I do live near a bunch of coyotes and can tell you they are a danger to small pets, and instances of predation occur. I've seen them in yards and parks which can be concerning. I can also tell you that if my dog were to be killed by a coyote, that more than likely it is my fault. I know coyotes are out there and exist in the environment, it's on me to take precautions to ensure my dog is protected and out of reach of potential predators. I understand owning a horse is much different than owning a dog, one stays outdoors while the other is typically indoors unless they are a working dog. But that leads into my next point, which is that if you're going to keep farm animals like sheep, chickens, or horses; then you should invest in sufficient protections for said farm and animals—guard animals like dogs or donkeys, fencing, light and noise scare devices, fladry—these are all effective and non-lethal predation management tools. I recognize these don't work 100% of the time and that not every farmer can afford these, but A) if your livelihood is going to depend on that farm, then it stands to reason you should do what you can to deter threats even if it costs a lot; and B) if push comes to shove—there's a stark difference between shooting a wolf that you see about to lurch at one of your animals, and instances like in Wisconsin were a wolf hunt was held and in less than three days slaughtered more than double the allotted quota. 

I was talking about this with a friend of mine, expressing my frustration and using some not so kind words to describe President Leyen. Without going into the specifics of the conversation, they basically said I was making a mountain out of a molehill. That more pressing and dire issues loom at our own doorsteps in the United States and that I was speaking from a place of privilege if I'm able to find the time to complain about what some politician in Europe thinks about wolves amid armed conflict overseas, homelessness, inflation, and other more directly pressing issues that tangibly affect me. But that doesn't diminish the validity of what I'm saying, no? I'm not overlooking or forgetting about the other stuff, I just don't see a lot of people talking about it and figure the conversation deserves some light. 

To say the conservation status of wolves is the pervasive cultural issue of the century would be a stretch at best, at this point it's largely a debate had between conservationists and those who work in or claim to represent "agricultural interests"—politicians like Lauren Boebert characterizing the reintroduction of wolves into Colorado as an action pushed by "out of touch leftists" who are unfamiliar with the experiences of rural farmers—neglecting the benefit wolves have on local ecosystems like Yellowstone by keeping wild herbivore populations in check, preventing overgrazing, thus saving crops. Fear Mongering billboards paid for by "washington residents against wolves" that use actual fairy-tale level brainrot to sell their point. Or the current situation in Europe and Ursula von der Leyen. But I think most average people who don't really care abou twolves would look at these situations and recognize the politicians are the ones making statements and acting out of personal bias and vibes, as opposed to anything based on scientific merit. But to see all of this discourse about wolves specifically in the 21st century, where livestock is safer than ever and a number of non-lethal predation management tools are available perplexes me.

The conclusion—at least to me—is natural, the aversion to wolves by some stems directly from their place in contemporary western culture as evocations of depict, danger, and malevolence. From the "big bad" that tormented fairy tale protagonists, to the supernatural horror side of things with werewolves and lycanthropy, to the metaphorical wolf of the bible that symbolizes evil, destructiveness or the dangers of straying from god, if not agents of the devil outright. Not trying to throw any shade or disrespect towards those who practice the religion, but to say it hasn't contributed to the negative image of the wolf would simply be untrue. I work at a shipping/receiving fulfillment warehouse that prints books on demand as they are ordered, and I see several picture books from nobody authors that cling onto some variant of the "big bad wolf" character, some of which have had a transparently political/religious slant.

It's always confused me how dogs are put on a pedestal but their not-so-distant wild cousins are quick to be demonized. The trope of the big bad wolf is shaped by European folktales at a period wherein wolves were competition for the same prey humans hunted, or threats to livestock. The 21st century is far beyond the survival struggles of medieval Europe, however wolves are still an easy shorthand for "dangerous," "vicious," or "savage." It perpetuates not only negative stereotypes but it also feeds into real-world harm. People grow up with these ingrained fears, and that leads to policies and attitudes that continue to hurt wolf populations as detailed above. 

Here's 10 modern medias I can think off the top of my head that serve as negative depictions of wolves -

Narnia (2008): One of the main antagonist's enforcers is a speaking quadrupedal wolf, who's killing is celebrated by the protagonist being ordained with the honorific title "wolf's bane".

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011): The main antagonist's cronies are an army of brutish wolves who serve loyally and commit to genocidal action under his command.

The Gray (2011): Referred to as "Liam Neeson vs. a pack of wolves the movie".

Rock Dog (2016): A children's movie about a Tibeten Mastiff shepherd who guards a village of sheep from hungry yet corporate suit & tie-dressed wolves who terrorize the village.

Flight Before Christmas (2008):  A Finnish Christmas movie about a young reindeer a part of "Santa's flying forces"; the main antagonist wolf pack serves as anti-christmas foils bent on eating Santa himself and the children of the world.

Squirrel and Hedgehog (2006): A North Korean propaganda children's show intended to guide and indoctrinate kids into the state ideology—the enemy American army are represented as wolves, led by a suave vixen.

Sanofi Healthcare Advert (2022): A medicine commercial that heavily draws from the "wolf in sheep's clothing" metaphor. The wolf serves as a stand-in for the flu, scaring people in a hospital before doctors harass and corner the animal, locking it in a bus that drives away.

The Long Dark (2014): A survival game that has you control a Canadian pilot who crash landed in the wilderness amid a geomagnetic storm; wolves are the primary enemy and threat to player's survival. The game features a disclaimer that the in-game wolves are aggressive because of the storm and not reflective of the real world animal.

Iron Snout (2014): A free-to-play beat-em-up fighting game where you control a stationary pig and have to defeat unending hordes of wolves. Features Happy Tree Friends style violence as increasingly absurd weapons can be turned against the attacking wolves.

Stand Alone (2025): An upcoming indie platformer/shooter wherein you play as a sheep rising up against an army of anthropomorphic wolves bent on destruction in a Max Mad Fury Road-esque post-apocalyptic world, with the goal to get as much kills and explosions on the screen as you can to progress the story.

These are just name-recognition titles I can think of off the top of my head. I'm sure if you search keywords like "sheep wolf" or "pig wolf" on the Steam storefront or Amazon book storefront you'll find countless books and games which treat and depict the wolf in equally negative ways to examples cited. Even in more popular media that seemingly has nothing to do with wolves, this characterization can still be seen. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the main character hallucinates a black wolf if they play dishonorably by killing and robbing people. In discussion of Better Call Saul the "sheep" and "wolf" metaphor is used a lot because of a line of dialogue in a flashback scene, with the "wolf" representing the deceitful and mendacious side of the main character.

I can appreciate a nuanced antagonist like the Grim Reaper from Puss in Boots 2, or even more outright villainous characters like the Sheriff of Nottingham or Jimmy Crystal who happen to be wolves. These characters aren't evil or villainous simply because they're wolves, but because they have depth and merit as characters, especially in Puss in Boots which plays around with the moral ambiguity of death rather than presenting it as a solely negative phenomenon. I don't think wolves should be exempt from villainy or anything like that, but I want a little thought and creativity put into such instances. To a point I would start to wonder how the big bad wolf trope doesn't become tired and overused even for someone who cares less about the wolf and its conservation status.

It would be short sighted of me to not acknowledge the increasing number of positive depictions of the wolf in modern storytelling. Movies like White Fang, Wolfwalkers, Balto, Alpha and Omega; games like Minecraft, Wolf Quest, Ōkami—you can argue these serve to counter some of the titles I listed above—showcasing the familial dynamics, connection to nature, loyalty, and strength of these animals. Wolves are arguably the most popular species represented in the online-based furry fandom, with memes in the community about how it's considered "vanilla" to have a wolf furry persona. These outlets are likely what sparked the interest in wolves for many reading. Yet, to me, it just doesn't feel like enough. None of the movies I mentioned are all that popular, living in obscurity behind streaming paywalls or in our collective childhood imagination. Minecraft wolves are almost revered among the game's community, but they are ultimately a minor aspect of the game and capable of turning hostile, complete with blood red eyes. The Leyens and Boeberts of the world don't point to the positive depictions of the wolf, they point to the fairy tale characterizations of it.

Storytelling casting aren't random choices—they’re reflections of deep-rooted and subconscious beliefs and biases. Contrast the common depiction of the wolf to how other apex predators are perceived. Lions often symbolize regalness and leadership with iconic characters like Mufasa or Aslan, never mind their habits of killing cubs from rival prides and maintaining power through violence. Bears are celebrated as protective and mighty symbols of the wild or as gentle giants made into plush toys for kids, despite their terrifying hunting behaviors consuming and ripping their prey apart alive. Eagles are a national symbol of freedom and courage in America despite also violently tearing into smaller animals—with their "screech" in media being taken from a different bird entirely (red tailed hawk) in order to maintain the illusion of their "majestic" image. Wolves—while also exhibiting brutal tendencies of apex predators—look out for each other, work as a family, and have an instinctive loyalty to their pack; qualities that humans usually admire yet western storytelling would indicate otherwise. This selective interpretation is at the core of what annoys me.

I recognize this isn't 100% unfounded. As mentioned above, the medieval Europeans who were responsible for the negative image of wolves had to compete against it for land, food, and livestock—a large, intelligent, social animal with large teeth and claws is hardly the encounter you want to have at the time. Lions which lived in Africa were free to be revered without the danger they posed being realized as they are not in proximity to European settlements. Eagles exist largely in the skies and have a diet which would separate them from areas of human activity. Wolves were at the wrong place at the wrong time and beared the brunt of the "fearsome predator" image—I have never seen a lion or bear used to represent a "predator" in an anti-sexual assault poster; I have seen the wolf used in that role.

I find it interesting many cultures that predate that of medieval Europe had a different outlook towards the wolf. In the Secret History of the Mongols, the Mongol people are said to be descended from a wolf and a doe and are said to be messengers of heaven, sent to punish those who disrespect the spirit masters of the land. Asena is a mythological she-wolf and foundational to the origin myth of Turkey. Wolves are a major totem to many Native American tribes including the Pawnee, Aleut, and Tlingit peoples, symbolizing guidance and protection. Even in older European societies such the Romans and Vikings, the wolf was still to be feared and viewed as a threat, yet respected and in its rightful place in nature, symbolized by figures like like Sköll, Fenrir, and Lupa; as opposed to the malevolent or evil archetype that's seen in more recent middle age European culture.

Looking beyond wolves and their conservation, and at the bigger picture issue—the existence of and pervasive nature of the big bad wolf trope in the west taps into one of the more ugly aspects of human nature in my opinion: the tendency to willingly act out of ignorance and strip something of nuance, in favor of demonization because we can't understand or control said thing. It's the same human ignorance responsible for prejudice, poor-decision making, ruined relationships, stagnation, and other horrible things. Wolves, being social and intelligent predators of the night, present a threat not only physically but symbolically. They represent a free, collective existence which can’t easily be dominated or understood according to a very human-centric set of standards. 

Wolves were here long before humans were, and rather than trying to coexist with them like civilizations and cultures in the past, the dominant narrative appears as though it's that—a desire to dominate and control nature, to bend it to our will, and for what? So we can develop more housing, parking lots, farmland, and other human-centric infrastructure we already have plenty of. There are an estimated 225,000 wolves globally and over 8,000,000,000 humans, and I'm supposed to subscribe to the notion that this animal is an existential threat terrorizing people and livestock in Europe and the United States? Get the fuck out of here.

This kind of punching down pisses me off. In 2023 a Wyoming man ran over a wolf on his snowmobile, severely injured her, and then brought her to his home and a local bar, where he taped her mouth shut while patrons took pictures and video with the bloody animal before he killed it, he was only fined $250 for it. In 2022 a woman in Montana bragged on social media bragged about killing and skinning what she thought was a wolf pup—turns out it was a Siberian husky. Whenever I see the big bad wolf trope or a derivative thereof evoked in media, all I'm reminded of are these incidents and think how short sighted the usage of the trope feels in today's contemporary day and age. It's like watching Skylar White sing happy birthday to Ted Beneke, but rather than people sharing in the collective cringe, people just accept it and in some cases defend it. It's adherence to familiar imagery, characters, and symbolism out of "nostalgia" rather than taking a step back to examine the ramifications of said storytelling.

I recognize to an extent I'm waving my fists at the clouds here, what is typing a wall of text online going to do for the wolves I'm advocating so hard for here? Not much. Neither is leaving a negative review to movies, games, or books that don't depict my favorite animal the right way—that will get laughed at by fans and developers. The best thing one can do to counter the negative cultural narrative behind wolves is to produce their own positive ones. At the moment I can't illustrate to save my life, but I'm practicing on it as I want to author graphic novels and picture books themed around wolf characters which show them in helpful, protective, and positive roles. It will take a long time before I get to a spot where I'm happy, but other than putting my own drops in the bucket creatively, it just feels bleak. It feels as though there isn't anything I can do to help the wolves.

“Diamond” Pack Confirmed Near Lassen Volcanic National Park

It’s official! A new gray wolf family pack near Lassen Volcanic National Park has been named the Diamond Pack. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the family pack likely includes four wolves, two of whom are pups.

This exciting discovery brings California’s wolf population to nine confirmed family packs. Last year alone, 30 wolf pups were born statewide—the biggest increase in a century.

We applaud the CDFW for continuing to advocate for nonlethal methods and their plans to monitor the Diamond Pack closely.

This Week in Wolf News

WildEarth Guardians and other conservation groups, have reached a settlement with the State of Montana that limits the state's wolf trapping season.

Under the settlement, wolf trapping in most of western Montana will now be restricted to January 1–February 15, aligning with the period when grizzlies are typically in their dens and less vulnerable to injury in traps. This agreement also ends the "floating season opener," which previously allowed trapping to begin as early as November.

In a recent opinion piece, wildlife biologist Erik Molvar argues that wolves are a better fit for public lands than livestock. He points out that livestock grazing on public lands accounts for only 1.6% of U.S. beef production while causing significant harm to the environment.

In the western U.S., public lands are mostly leased to ranchers, but this often leads to overgrazing, which damages ecosystems and disrupts habitat critical for fish and other species. Wolves, however, play a key role in maintaining ecological balance. For example, in Yellowstone, wolves have helped restore habitat and bring back plants and wildlife along rivers. This is a compelling argument for the importance of wolves on our landscapes, and we encourage you to check it out.

A recent editorial examines how the Trump administration’s policies affected Wisconsin’s wolves.

Under the last Trump administration, gray wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list, leaving their management to the states. In February 2021, Wisconsin held a wolf hunt that exceeded quotas by 82%, slaughtering 216 wolves in just three days. As a result, the hunt was abruptly ended.

The fallout from this hunt resulted in gray wolves being relisted under the federal Endangered Species Act in 2022—and a fun fact is that it also led to the founding of our campaign.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced they have reopened applications for the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program. This program, funded with $600,000 from the 2024-25 State Budget, compensates ranchers for confirmed or probable livestock losses caused by gray wolves.

Due to limited funding, CDFW will prioritize direct loss compensation and is not accepting applications for non-lethal deterrents or pay-for-presence compensation at this time. To view the application or apply, click here.

I got to feed some wolves for my 18th birthday today, it was such a great day

I’m not really a dog lover myself but I pretty much like dogs in general. I absolutely love wolves though and it’s no secret that dogs came from wolves or in other words, they’re domesticated wolves. But yet I see a lot of dog lovers supporting the culling of wolves and coyotes because they consider them a threat to humans and their pets. It’s funny because big dogs actually kill much more smaller pet dogs compared to wild canines like wolves. Pit bulls alone kill over 20k dogs in the US each year. And dog attacks are actually much more common than wolf attacks especially in countries with large numbers of stray dogs. Again, I’m not trying to demonise dogs I’m just trying to point out the hypocrisy of these people. They literally hate the living ancestors of their beloved pets so I don’t think they truly love dogs. They’re just narcissists that love dogs because of the affection/approval they get from them and they don’t respect them for what they really are without humans. What do you guys think?

Sorry if this post was more of a rant but I just wanted to share my opinion about this topic.

I've really been wanting to watch a wolf documentary for ages now but all the ones I find spout absolute lies. Every single one talks about pack hierarchy as the whole "Alpha" thing when that's entirely incorrect. If anyone has some decent recommendations as well as where to find them, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Over $100,000 reward offered after protected Mexican gray wolf “Hope” is found dead in Arizona

A reward of $103,500 is being offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the death of a protected Mexican gray wolf in Arizona. The wolf, nicknamed by local students "Hope," was found dead on November 7th.

Mexican gray wolves are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and Hope had been fitted with a GPS tracking collar in July after entering the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area. Efforts were underway to return her to the conservation region when her death occurred. Authorities have ruled out agency management actions as the cause.

We, along with many of our supporters and partners, have followed Hope’s journey closely. She was a symbol of resilience, and we are deeply saddened to hear of her death. We’re grateful that an investigation is underway, and if it reveals that Hope was wrongly killed, we urge authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

This Week in Wolf News

For the first time, a gray wolf pack has been confirmed in Lassen Volcanic National Park! According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, this new pack likely consists of a breeding pair and one or two pups. The unnamed pack likely came from the Lassen Pack—the state’s most established wolf population.

Gray wolves are a protected species in California, and their continued recovery is a testament to the success of California’s conservation efforts. We are excited to see these packs continue to thrive as they explore their new home!

Colorado ranchers are renewing their request for state wildlife officials to delay the release of more gray wolves currently planned for January 2025. The petition is calling for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to address conflicts between wolves and livestock producers by implementing more conflict mitigation strategies before any new wolves are released.

According to the article, the petition included asking for clearer definitions of "chronic depredation" on livestock. While we are sympathetic to livestock owners and ranchers, we believe they should focus on working with the state and utilizing the many resources that CPW has already made available to them.

Chase Melton, the Wisconsin hunter who shot and killed a gray wolf on September 21, 2024, in Oneida County, Wisconsin, will not face charges.

While investigators determined that the wolf’s behavior was unusual but not explicitly aggressive, the Oneida County District Attorney determined the hunter acted out of genuine fear for the safety of himself and his hunting companions.

This incident is not classified as a wolf attack, as no wolf attack on humans has been documented in Wisconsin in the modern era. Despite the case results, this wolf would likely still be alive if Chase and others were not out hunting.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has announced they have reopened applications for the Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program. This program, funded with $600,000 from the 2024-25 State Budget, compensates ranchers for confirmed or probable livestock losses caused by gray wolves.

Due to limited funding, CDFW will prioritize direct loss compensation and is not accepting applications for non-lethal deterrents or pay-for-presence compensation at this time. To view the application or apply, click here.

I'm heading to Yellowstone to see wolves sometime between Dec & Feb.

Does anyone have a recommendation on which tour guide to use? Or any other tips?

Thx