Gray Wolf Research Paper

The Extraordinary Canis Lupus The Canis lupus, more commonly known as the Gray Wolf, is one of the most famous species of species of wolf. Once common in North America, the Gray Wolf has had an extraordinary history within the United States. Persecuted in the early 1960s, the Canis lupus was nearly driven to extinction. Now once again on the rise due to conservative efforts, the future of the Gray Wolf remains to be seen.

The Gray wolf currently inhabits Yellowstone National Park, northeast Oregon, Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, and northern Idaho. The Gray wolf Wolves are very versatile creatures and are able to survive in tundras, woodlands, grasslands, forests, and deserts. Males weigh between 70-145

The United States’s war on wolves ended in the 1960s. By the 1970s, wolf sightings had become rare and awareness for the advocation of the species began to grow. Coincidentally, in 1973 the Endangered Species Act was passed. Just a mere year after, the wolves were declared as a protected species under the act. Efforts to restore wolf populations began to take full flight. In 1986, the first wolves to return into the United States, crossed from Canada and were dubbed “The Magic Pack.” The Gray wolves continued to grow in the United States on their own throughout the 1990s, growing around the Great Lakes and soon spreading into northern Wisconsin. They also began to be spotted in Washington State. In 1995 and 1996, Gray Wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park and also the Frank Church Wilderness of Idaho. Now, in the present, the Gray Wolf population has grown from 300 to over 4,000 wolves spread across Yellowstone National Park, northeast Oregon, Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, and northern Idaho

Mission:Wolf, a wolf sanctuary in Colorado runs multiple programs. “Experiential Education” is a program run by the sanctuary allows schools, colleges, volunteer camps, and other groups to schedule trips to the sanctuary where they can help with certain projects, such as making new fences, planting trees, or cutting meat for the wolves. In previous years, the sanctuary also held an a “ Traveling Ambassador Wolf Program.” Representatives of the park would travel on tours with the captive born wolves that people could meet at events, acting as “ambassadors” for their species. However, it is currently suspended until Fall 2017 (Wagner). The World Wide Fund for Nature offers a program called “Adoption” for many animals. The Gray Wolf is among the animals offered. By paying for an “adoption kit” the money goes towards the conservation of the animals and also include special bonuses, such as plush toys and gift bags