Here's why:
* Diet: Timber wolves are primarily carnivores and their diet consists of large ungulates like elk, deer, moose, and caribou. They rarely prey on smaller animals like rabbits or rodents.
* Survival Instinct: Humans are far too large and dangerous for a wolf to consider as prey. A wolf would be more likely to avoid humans than to attack them.
* Pack Behavior: Wolves live in packs and their primary focus is on survival and finding food for their pack. They are not known to attack humans unless they feel threatened or cornered.
* Fear of Humans: Wolves are generally afraid of humans. They have learned to avoid humans due to their history of being hunted and persecuted.
However, there are rare instances of wolves attacking humans:
* Rabies: Wolves suffering from rabies can become aggressive and unpredictable, potentially attacking humans.
* Cornered or Threatened: If a wolf feels cornered or threatened, it may attack in self-defense.
* Human Error: Occasionally, humans may accidentally provoke wolves, leading to an attack.
Overall, the risk of a timber wolf attacking a human is extremely low. It's important to be aware of your surroundings and respect wildlife, but there is no need to fear wolves as a regular threat to human life.