My friend Whitey shot and killed the last of the original batch of introduced Mexican wolves.
Dam thing was trying for a free steak from one of his steers. He buried the wolf with the collar on.
Nobody asked Whitey or any of the other Gila land owners whether they were OK with the introduction of foreign wolves. Those land owners just shot them when they found them stalking or eating their livestock. Predation problem solved.
They continue to try to reintroduce Mexican wolves to the southwest. The Gila wilderness is no longer considered a viable environment for wolf reintroduction.
I realize in some areas of the country folks would like to see four legged predators reintroduced. I'm all good with that, these animals are an important part of our history. That's why I have lobbied for years for the reintroduction of wild Grizzly bears to urban Sacramento and legal protection for rats in developed areas of California. I'm pretty sure one or the other is on the State flag.
The urban environment is the biggest threat to wildlife. Most of the endangered and threatened species are failing due primarily to urban incursion.
There is a place and time for everything. If wolves can coexist with human populations let them roam the streets. They are amazing animals. I hope someday they can become a part of the wild environment again. I certainly wouldn't advocate killing them without cause.
Nearly 8,800 miles in two years? That's a surprising record. A female who couldn't find a mate near her home territory? Improbable but it's an interesting theory.
Heavy Pans
There is a lot to a predator finding a niche among human sprawl/footprint.
Here in the midwest and East the coyote is alleged to have domestic canine D.N.A. and Eastern wolf. (Timberwolf elsewhere probably).
They are bigger than out West.
And more importantly , they do alright in suburbs if need be.
Small game , deer, house pets (roadkills too) and more in a versatile diet. The yotes have quickly evolved (quick as in evolutionary) to fill the wolf void , but in relation to human environs as a compliment.
Having domestic D.N.A. related to ancient D.N.A. might as suggested elsewhere be key to that sudden evolution/adaptation.
Cougars sampled here are alleged to be strains from out West. They had to come from somewhere while avoiding conflict.
If they are outliers in regards to dispersal ,or have a glitched compass ;who knows.
We do have proponents of putting wolves in the cities here that seem to think they are fine in someone else's backyard.
Like that's ever going to happen...
I'm no canine enemy . Have had wolf crosses in the house and yard years ago. But there is reason to why they were reduced with prejudice ,beyond the reason of scary tales.
My biggest contention is competition for game. Secondary is my perspective of more humane kills. Then comes my own smaller breed canine pack.
) As far as the gulo goes...been chasing him since 2010 and got 4 on cam so far and haven't got one for 5 yrs now? Hard animal to cross paths with, so few and far in between even in Montana as we are also at extreme lower end of their range....
