The Reasons for the Endangerment of the Gray Wolf

The gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf, is the largest of the 41 species from the dog family Canidae. The gray wolf is a predator. It will hunt and eat any mammal or bird that it can catch. Hoofed animals seem to be a favorite of gray wolf, including livestock. Because of this, human intervention is one of the main reasons for it being endangered. On August 5, 2010, a federal judge restored their endangered status so that they could rebuild their status in the wild.

  1. Human Interaction

    • One of the biggest reasons why the gray wolf is on the endangered species list is because of human intervention. Though it is rare for the wolf to approach private property, they have been known to kill livestock. Normally this occurs when food is scarce. Because of this, many farmers will shoot to kill any wolf that approaches their property. The wolf enjoys large prey, and will seek out lambs, sheep, goats or any other hoofed animal it can take down, drag away and eat.

    Destruction of Habitat

    • Oftentimes we don't think about the consequences of developing new communities, shopping centers and parks. When we destroy natural areas, we sometimes drive animals -- including gray wolves -- out of their natural habitat and drive off their prey. Because of their status on the endangered species list, their habitat is now protected from such harm.

    Preditors

    • The gray wolf only has one natural enemy, the bear. Bears do not seek out a wolf simply to attack it. The interaction between bear and wolf happens when there is food or dead prey. Sometimes a wolf will try to steel prey from a bear. When this happens it usually results in the wolf being severely injured or killed.

    Restoration

    • The restoration of the gray wolf is hopeful. Their reproduction rate is fairly high. The gray wolf mates during January and February. With a gestation of only 63 days, a female wolf can give birth to a litter of four to seven pups. Though they are born blind and defenseless, the pack cares for the pups until they mature at about 10 months of age. With the help of captive breeding programs and national parks there are hopes of bringing the species back to more stable populations, says Defenders of Wildlife.

    Protection

    • The population of the gray wolf has declined from over 2 million to just under 200,000 around the world. The gray wolf was one of the first species places in the endangered species list in 1973. As of 2010, their range had been reduced to only portions of Canada and the United States. States like Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Wisconsin and Wyoming actively participate in breeding programs in hopes of bringing this species back from the brink of extinction. In 1995 Yellowstone National Park reintroduced the gray wolf to its park.