wolves are the most misunderstood and persecuted animal in all of North
persecuted animal in all of North
persecuted animal in all of North America so we created an environment
America so we created an environment
America so we created an environment where a pack of wolves could open up
where a pack of wolves could open up
where a pack of wolves could open up their lives to us and we set out to
their lives to us and we set out to
their lives to us and we set out to capture their intimate behavior to
capture their intimate behavior to
capture their intimate behavior to dispel myths and show a side of wolves
dispel myths and show a side of wolves
dispel myths and show a side of wolves it is often overlooked
this idea of mine documenting wolves
this idea of mine documenting wolves wasn’t supposed to turn out like this
wasn’t supposed to turn out like this
wasn’t supposed to turn out like this when I took my first steps towards
when I took my first steps towards
when I took my first steps towards making a film about the gray wolf I
making a film about the gray wolf I
making a film about the gray wolf I imagined that this Kris Matic animal
imagined that this Kris Matic animal
imagined that this Kris Matic animal would be just another subject in a
would be just another subject in a
would be just another subject in a lifelong career of wildlife filmmaking
lifelong career of wildlife filmmaking
lifelong career of wildlife filmmaking even as the project unfolded Jamie and I
even as the project unfolded Jamie and I
even as the project unfolded Jamie and I look forward to future work documenting
look forward to future work documenting
look forward to future work documenting other animals of North America and
other animals of North America and
other animals of North America and beyond but something changed we became
beyond but something changed we became
beyond but something changed we became spokespeople for this misunderstood
spokespeople for this misunderstood
spokespeople for this misunderstood animal so in the beginning this was just
animal so in the beginning this was just
animal so in the beginning this was just an idea for film a one-hour documentary
an idea for film a one-hour documentary
an idea for film a one-hour documentary for television but as a subject for
for television but as a subject for
for television but as a subject for filming the Wolves gave us so much more
filming the Wolves gave us so much more
filming the Wolves gave us so much more this is because few other species
this is because few other species
this is because few other species exhibit such a wide variety of
exhibit such a wide variety of
exhibit such a wide variety of appearances and personalities and such
appearances and personalities and such
appearances and personalities and such an expressive vocabulary of both body
an expressive vocabulary of both body
an expressive vocabulary of both body language and vocalizations the most
language and vocalizations the most
language and vocalizations the most misunderstood and persecuted animal in
misunderstood and persecuted animal in
misunderstood and persecuted animal in all of North America can tell a pretty
all of North America can tell a pretty
all of North America can tell a pretty good story on its own we were privileged
good story on its own we were privileged
good story on its own we were privileged to be accepted as observers this is how
to be accepted as observers this is how
to be accepted as observers this is how it all came about
it all came about
it all came about our life with Wolves began over 20 years
our life with Wolves began over 20 years
our life with Wolves began over 20 years ago when we started to build a large
ago when we started to build a large
ago when we started to build a large enclosure in a remote area of Idaho’s
enclosure in a remote area of Idaho’s
enclosure in a remote area of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains now there been other
Sawtooth Mountains now there been other
Sawtooth Mountains now there been other studies on Loubs and there have been
studies on Loubs and there have been
studies on Loubs and there have been other films but none had taken such a
other films but none had taken such a
other films but none had taken such a long and intimate look at the social
long and intimate look at the social
long and intimate look at the social structure of a pack wolves you see are
structure of a pack wolves you see are
structure of a pack wolves you see are very elusive they’re extremely afraid of
very elusive they’re extremely afraid of
very elusive they’re extremely afraid of people and because of this and the fact
people and because of this and the fact
people and because of this and the fact that they are so intelligent it is
that they are so intelligent it is
that they are so intelligent it is almost impossible to observe the social
almost impossible to observe the social
almost impossible to observe the social behavior of wolves in the wild for
behavior of wolves in the wild for
behavior of wolves in the wild for example if a wolf senses that it’s being
example if a wolf senses that it’s being
example if a wolf senses that it’s being watched it’ll alter its behavior and
watched it’ll alter its behavior and
watched it’ll alter its behavior and most likely depart knowing that wolves
most likely depart knowing that wolves
most likely depart knowing that wolves were so sensitive and knowing that they
were so sensitive and knowing that they
were so sensitive and knowing that they were also protected as an endangered
were also protected as an endangered
were also protected as an endangered species we decided to approach this
species we decided to approach this
species we decided to approach this project in a unique and unobtrusive way
project in a unique and unobtrusive way
project in a unique and unobtrusive way a woman in Montana had inherited a pack
a woman in Montana had inherited a pack
a woman in Montana had inherited a pack of wolves that she got from the US Navy
of wolves that she got from the US Navy
of wolves that she got from the US Navy they were experimenting with him
they were experimenting with him
they were experimenting with him tranquilizer drugs and after the project
tranquilizer drugs and after the project
tranquilizer drugs and after the project they were going to euthanize him so she
they were going to euthanize him so she
they were going to euthanize him so she took the Wolves he’s seen a film I had
took the Wolves he’s seen a film I had
took the Wolves he’s seen a film I had produced about Cougars and thought that
produced about Cougars and thought that
produced about Cougars and thought that I could do some good for wolves so she
I could do some good for wolves so she
I could do some good for wolves so she contacted us we raised these wolves as
contacted us we raised these wolves as
contacted us we raised these wolves as pups bottle feeding them from the moment
pups bottle feeding them from the moment
pups bottle feeding them from the moment they opened their eyes so that would
they opened their eyes so that would
they opened their eyes so that would trust us completely and regardless
trust us completely and regardless
trust us completely and regardless without fear the enclosure which was on
without fear the enclosure which was on
without fear the enclosure which was on the edge of wilderness with the largest
the edge of wilderness with the largest
the edge of wilderness with the largest of its kind and offered a wonderful
of its kind and offered a wonderful
of its kind and offered a wonderful mixture of subalpine terrain for six
mixture of subalpine terrain for six
mixture of subalpine terrain for six years we live there with them in a
years we live there with them in a
years we live there with them in a tented camp within their territory we
tented camp within their territory we
tented camp within their territory we became a trusted and familiar presence
became a trusted and familiar presence
became a trusted and familiar presence in their lives and because of this we
in their lives and because of this we
in their lives and because of this we were able to observe them without
were able to observe them without
were able to observe them without changing the way they were we let the
changing the way they were we let the
changing the way they were we let the Wolves approach us if they wanted to if
Wolves approach us if they wanted to if
Wolves approach us if they wanted to if they chose to ignore us we didn’t pursue
they chose to ignore us we didn’t pursue
they chose to ignore us we didn’t pursue they would often make contact by
they would often make contact by
they would often make contact by sniffing and even licking us for a
sniffing and even licking us for a
sniffing and even licking us for a moment or two as we entered their
moment or two as we entered their
moment or two as we entered their territory but we didn’t initiate the
territory but we didn’t initiate the
territory but we didn’t initiate the contact wolves greet each other in the
contact wolves greet each other in the
contact wolves greet each other in the luckily the same way here Jamie joins
luckily the same way here Jamie joins
luckily the same way here Jamie joins the yearlings in a howl the bonds we
the yearlings in a howl the bonds we
the yearlings in a howl the bonds we formed through these wolves as pups
formed through these wolves as pups
formed through these wolves as pups would last throughout their lives Wolf’s
would last throughout their lives Wolf’s
would last throughout their lives Wolf’s camp was a forever evolving project and
camp was a forever evolving project and
camp was a forever evolving project and our resources were decidedly limited he
our resources were decidedly limited he
our resources were decidedly limited he came from a woodstove shower water from
came from a woodstove shower water from
came from a woodstove shower water from a nearby creek and melted snow and light
a nearby creek and melted snow and light
a nearby creek and melted snow and light and cooking flame came from candles oil
and cooking flame came from candles oil
and cooking flame came from candles oil and propane so here under the looming
and propane so here under the looming
and propane so here under the looming peaks of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains with
peaks of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains with
peaks of Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains with a special use permit from the u.s.
a special use permit from the u.s.
a special use permit from the u.s. Forest Service we created an environment
Forest Service we created an environment
Forest Service we created an environment where a pack of wolves could open up
where a pack of wolves could open up
where a pack of wolves could open up their lives to us and accept us as just
their lives to us and accept us as just
their lives to us and accept us as just another part of their world we call them
another part of their world we call them
another part of their world we call them the Sawtooth pack and we set out to
the Sawtooth pack and we set out to
the Sawtooth pack and we set out to capture their intimate behavior to
capture their intimate behavior to
capture their intimate behavior to dispel myths and show a side of wolves
dispel myths and show a side of wolves
dispel myths and show a side of wolves it is often overlooked a wolf pack is a
it is often overlooked a wolf pack is a
it is often overlooked a wolf pack is a complex social unit an extended family
complex social unit an extended family
complex social unit an extended family of parents siblings aunts and uncles
of parents siblings aunts and uncles
of parents siblings aunts and uncles they’re older wolves that need to be
they’re older wolves that need to be
they’re older wolves that need to be cared for pups that need to be educated
cared for pups that need to be educated
cared for pups that need to be educated and young adults that are just beginning
and young adults that are just beginning
and young adults that are just beginning to assert themselves all constantly
to assert themselves all constantly
to assert themselves all constantly altering the dynamics of the pack now
altering the dynamics of the pack now
altering the dynamics of the pack now the job of maintaining order within the
the job of maintaining order within the
the job of maintaining order within the packs Falls largely to the alphas Kamat
packs Falls largely to the alphas Kamat
packs Falls largely to the alphas Kamat the alpha male of the Sawtooth pack bore
the alpha male of the Sawtooth pack bore
the alpha male of the Sawtooth pack bore the responsibility for the welfare of
the responsibility for the welfare of
the responsibility for the welfare of the entire pack acting as its
the entire pack acting as its
the entire pack acting as its decision-maker and alert for any signs
decision-maker and alert for any signs
decision-maker and alert for any signs of danger Chinook the alpha female was
of danger Chinook the alpha female was
of danger Chinook the alpha female was the dominant female of the pack now
the dominant female of the pack now
the dominant female of the pack now alphas are the leaders of the pack they
alphas are the leaders of the pack they
alphas are the leaders of the pack they maintain stability they’re the most
maintain stability they’re the most
maintain stability they’re the most vigilant and the first to respond to
vigilant and the first to respond to
vigilant and the first to respond to potential threats to their family late
potential threats to their family late
potential threats to their family late winter is the breeding season when the
winter is the breeding season when the
winter is the breeding season when the alpha male and female mate and unlike
alpha male and female mate and unlike
alpha male and female mate and unlike their domestic dog cousins it occurs
their domestic dog cousins it occurs
their domestic dog cousins it occurs only once a year and on very rare
only once a year and on very rare
only once a year and on very rare occasions if the conditions are right
occasions if the conditions are right
occasions if the conditions are right and there’s an abundant amount of prey
and there’s an abundant amount of prey
and there’s an abundant amount of prey others in the pack may be allowed to
others in the pack may be allowed to
others in the pack may be allowed to breed however in difficult times when
breed however in difficult times when
breed however in difficult times when prey is scarce it’s possible for no
prey is scarce it’s possible for no
prey is scarce it’s possible for no breeding to take place at all howling is
breeding to take place at all howling is
breeding to take place at all howling is something that increases during the
something that increases during the
something that increases during the breeding season in the sawtooth pack a
breeding season in the sawtooth pack a
breeding season in the sawtooth pack a Hal would begin with a long mournful
Hal would begin with a long mournful
Hal would begin with a long mournful sound usually from the alpha male
sound usually from the alpha male
sound usually from the alpha male everything else in the forest would fall
everything else in the forest would fall
everything else in the forest would fall silent as other members of the pack
silent as other members of the pack
silent as other members of the pack joined in in a course that would swell
joined in in a course that would swell
joined in in a course that would swell to a fabulous soulful frenzy pups are
to a fabulous soulful frenzy pups are
to a fabulous soulful frenzy pups are born as winter gives way to spring in a
born as winter gives way to spring in a
born as winter gives way to spring in a litter averaging of four to six they’re
litter averaging of four to six they’re
litter averaging of four to six they’re born blind and toothless barely able to
born blind and toothless barely able to
born blind and toothless barely able to crawl nestled safe in the den their
crawl nestled safe in the den their
crawl nestled safe in the den their mother has dug and often this is the
mother has dug and often this is the
mother has dug and often this is the same den the pack is used for
same den the pack is used for
same den the pack is used for generations pups just seemed to idolize
generations pups just seemed to idolize
generations pups just seemed to idolize the adult wolves in just about every way
the adult wolves in just about every way
the adult wolves in just about every way they walk exactly where the adults walk
they walk exactly where the adults walk
they walk exactly where the adults walk they sniff whatever flour the adults
they sniff whatever flour the adults
they sniff whatever flour the adults sniff chew whatever bone they chew on
sniff chew whatever bone they chew on
sniff chew whatever bone they chew on and mimic their every move in this
and mimic their every move in this
and mimic their every move in this manner knowledge is passed down from
manner knowledge is passed down from
manner knowledge is passed down from older wolves to younger wolves as they
older wolves to younger wolves as they
older wolves to younger wolves as they assimilate into the adult hierarchy now
assimilate into the adult hierarchy now
assimilate into the adult hierarchy now the order within a Wolf Pack hierarchy
the order within a Wolf Pack hierarchy
the order within a Wolf Pack hierarchy is constantly reinforced by displays of
is constantly reinforced by displays of
is constantly reinforced by displays of dominance and Submission in a complex
dominance and Submission in a complex
dominance and Submission in a complex language of different forms of
language of different forms of
language of different forms of communication vocalizations such as
communication vocalizations such as
communication vocalizations such as growls barks yips and whines are equally
growls barks yips and whines are equally
growls barks yips and whines are equally as important as the non verbal body
as important as the non verbal body
as important as the non verbal body language of baring teeth and warning of
language of baring teeth and warning of
language of baring teeth and warning of pending aggression or the tucking of a
pending aggression or the tucking of a
pending aggression or the tucking of a tail in submission those are just a few
tail in submission those are just a few
tail in submission those are just a few examples of the broad array of
examples of the broad array of
examples of the broad array of communications that wolves employ to
communications that wolves employ to
communications that wolves employ to express and maintain their status but
express and maintain their status but
express and maintain their status but sadly it’s this body language that is
sadly it’s this body language that is
sadly it’s this body language that is far too often misunderstood as being
far too often misunderstood as being
far too often misunderstood as being vicious and evil but really it’s only a
vicious and evil but really it’s only a
vicious and evil but really it’s only a language this is motsi the beta wolf the
language this is motsi the beta wolf the
language this is motsi the beta wolf the peacemaker and puppy sitter or guardian
peacemaker and puppy sitter or guardian
peacemaker and puppy sitter or guardian he was extremely crying natured he had
he was extremely crying natured he had
he was extremely crying natured he had very protective of the pups and highly
very protective of the pups and highly
very protective of the pups and highly respected by all the wolves in mid rank
respected by all the wolves in mid rank
respected by all the wolves in mid rank now the lowest-ranking wolf in the pack
now the lowest-ranking wolf in the pack
now the lowest-ranking wolf in the pack is known as the Omega
is known as the Omega
is known as the Omega in the Sawtooth pack lakota held this
in the Sawtooth pack lakota held this
in the Sawtooth pack lakota held this position for many years now the Omega
position for many years now the Omega
position for many years now the Omega must constantly submit to his fellow
must constantly submit to his fellow
must constantly submit to his fellow pack members as he’s often dominated by
pack members as he’s often dominated by
pack members as he’s often dominated by them and treated as a scapegoat Lakota
them and treated as a scapegoat Lakota
them and treated as a scapegoat Lakota was most often harassed by Amani a
was most often harassed by Amani a
was most often harassed by Amani a mid-ranking pack member a bit of a bully
mid-ranking pack member a bit of a bully
mid-ranking pack member a bit of a bully group house could be risky times real
group house could be risky times real
group house could be risky times real ACOTA
ACOTA
ACOTA here in the center he always kept his
here in the center he always kept his
here in the center he always kept his tail tucked his shoulders hunched his
tail tucked his shoulders hunched his
tail tucked his shoulders hunched his head low his ears back as he tried to
head low his ears back as he tried to
head low his ears back as he tried to make himself as inconspicuous as
make himself as inconspicuous as
make himself as inconspicuous as possible but interestingly the Omega was
possible but interestingly the Omega was
possible but interestingly the Omega was the instigator of play and by using play
the instigator of play and by using play
the instigator of play and by using play it helped alleviate pack tension
it helped alleviate pack tension
it helped alleviate pack tension thus filling a very important role to
thus filling a very important role to
thus filling a very important role to play within the family group no other
play within the family group no other
play within the family group no other position requires so much diplomacy and
position requires so much diplomacy and
position requires so much diplomacy and appeasement the better omegas ability is
appeasement the better omegas ability is
appeasement the better omegas ability is to coax the others into setting aside
to coax the others into setting aside
to coax the others into setting aside their pack hierarchy for a while the
their pack hierarchy for a while the
their pack hierarchy for a while the better his or her life will be this is
better his or her life will be this is
better his or her life will be this is why Aachen one of the mid-ranking path
why Aachen one of the mid-ranking path
why Aachen one of the mid-ranking path members now the majority of wolves that
members now the majority of wolves that
members now the majority of wolves that make up a pack are neither leader nor
make up a pack are neither leader nor
make up a pack are neither leader nor underdog most of these mid ranking
underdog most of these mid ranking
underdog most of these mid ranking wolves filling this vague area below the
wolves filling this vague area below the
wolves filling this vague area below the beta and above the Omega the social
beta and above the Omega the social
beta and above the Omega the social position of these wolves is more
position of these wolves is more
position of these wolves is more difficult to determine through
difficult to determine through
difficult to determine through observation because it’s rather fluid
observation because it’s rather fluid
observation because it’s rather fluid every wolf in the pack knows its place
every wolf in the pack knows its place
every wolf in the pack knows its place and the place of all the other wolves
and the place of all the other wolves
and the place of all the other wolves without the stability of the family the
without the stability of the family the
without the stability of the family the pack falls apart the darker side of
pack falls apart the darker side of
pack falls apart the darker side of wolves has always appeared in folklore
wolves has always appeared in folklore
wolves has always appeared in folklore fable and even in modern literature and
fable and even in modern literature and
fable and even in modern literature and films misunderstanding breeds fear and
films misunderstanding breeds fear and
films misunderstanding breeds fear and fear can breed hatred European settlers
fear can breed hatred European settlers
fear can breed hatred European settlers brought an image of a savage deceitful
brought an image of a savage deceitful
brought an image of a savage deceitful sinister creature to the new world and
sinister creature to the new world and
sinister creature to the new world and the myths grew and grew tales like
the myths grew and grew tales like
the myths grew and grew tales like Little Red Riding Hood were passed down
Little Red Riding Hood were passed down
Little Red Riding Hood were passed down through generations
through generations
through generations fueling terror without even being aware
fueling terror without even being aware
fueling terror without even being aware of it generations of parents have
of it generations of parents have
of it generations of parents have offered the prime example of the big
offered the prime example of the big
offered the prime example of the big bad wolf in singsong fashion to their
bad wolf in singsong fashion to their
bad wolf in singsong fashion to their children this 1933 sheet music of Walt
children this 1933 sheet music of Walt
children this 1933 sheet music of Walt Disney’s Three Little Pigs reminds us of
Disney’s Three Little Pigs reminds us of
Disney’s Three Little Pigs reminds us of the lovable carefree piglets and the
the lovable carefree piglets and the
the lovable carefree piglets and the ravenous wolf lurking in the shadows
ravenous wolf lurking in the shadows
ravenous wolf lurking in the shadows today this these fairy tales are
today this these fairy tales are
today this these fairy tales are modernized to depict a crafty predator
modernized to depict a crafty predator
modernized to depict a crafty predator that kills for the sheer joy of it
that kills for the sheer joy of it
that kills for the sheer joy of it because we are unconsciously programmed
because we are unconsciously programmed
because we are unconsciously programmed to fear the wolf we consider it a
to fear the wolf we consider it a
to fear the wolf we consider it a dangerous animal many people still
dangerous animal many people still
dangerous animal many people still believe that wolves pose a serious
believe that wolves pose a serious
believe that wolves pose a serious threat to human life
threat to human life
threat to human life despite volumes of evidence to the
despite volumes of evidence to the
despite volumes of evidence to the contrary
contrary
contrary wolves are generally afraid of people
wolves are generally afraid of people
wolves are generally afraid of people and they avoid them along with all wild
and they avoid them along with all wild
and they avoid them along with all wild animals such as moose bears Cougars
animals such as moose bears Cougars
animals such as moose bears Cougars wolves can be dangerous but these events
wolves can be dangerous but these events
wolves can be dangerous but these events are exceedingly rare for example over
are exceedingly rare for example over
are exceedingly rare for example over the past 100 years there have been only
the past 100 years there have been only
the past 100 years there have been only two cases or a wolf reportedly killed a
two cases or a wolf reportedly killed a
two cases or a wolf reportedly killed a human being in North America wolves are
human being in North America wolves are
human being in North America wolves are not a threat humans we recognize the
not a threat humans we recognize the
not a threat humans we recognize the face
face
face a broad mask the tapers gracefully into
a broad mask the tapers gracefully into
a broad mask the tapers gracefully into a long muzzle we’ve looked into their
a long muzzle we’ve looked into their
a long muzzle we’ve looked into their eyes bright with curiosity we understand
eyes bright with curiosity we understand
eyes bright with curiosity we understand the message they convey through posture
the message they convey through posture
the message they convey through posture the alertness seen in an expression or
the alertness seen in an expression or
the alertness seen in an expression or the playfulness of a bell the confidence
the playfulness of a bell the confidence
the playfulness of a bell the confidence or fear betrayed by the animals tail we
or fear betrayed by the animals tail we
or fear betrayed by the animals tail we can be forgiven for thinking we already
can be forgiven for thinking we already
can be forgiven for thinking we already know the wolf for in many ways we
know the wolf for in many ways we
know the wolf for in many ways we already do genetics leaves little doubt
already do genetics leaves little doubt
already do genetics leaves little doubt that domestic dogs our canine companions
that domestic dogs our canine companions
that domestic dogs our canine companions are descended directly from wolves the
are descended directly from wolves the
are descended directly from wolves the DNA of any dog is almost exactly the
DNA of any dog is almost exactly the
DNA of any dog is almost exactly the same as that of the wolf you can see a
same as that of the wolf you can see a
same as that of the wolf you can see a lot of your dog in the wolf and a lot of
lot of your dog in the wolf and a lot of
lot of your dog in the wolf and a lot of your wolf and the dog they’re both
your wolf and the dog they’re both
your wolf and the dog they’re both social animals and just like elephants
social animals and just like elephants
social animals and just like elephants gorillas and whales they educate their
gorillas and whales they educate their
gorillas and whales they educate their young take care of their injured and
young take care of their injured and
young take care of their injured and live in family groups in a wolf pack
live in family groups in a wolf pack
live in family groups in a wolf pack each wolf devotes itself completely to
each wolf devotes itself completely to
each wolf devotes itself completely to the pups that are born to the Alpha pair
the pups that are born to the Alpha pair
the pups that are born to the Alpha pair making sure that the pups grow up to be
making sure that the pups grow up to be
making sure that the pups grow up to be strong and beneficial additions to the
strong and beneficial additions to the
strong and beneficial additions to the pack only a deeply social and
pack only a deeply social and
pack only a deeply social and family-oriented animal would demonstrate
family-oriented animal would demonstrate
family-oriented animal would demonstrate such devotion to another’s offspring in
such devotion to another’s offspring in
such devotion to another’s offspring in the Sawtooth pack two wolves were
the Sawtooth pack two wolves were
the Sawtooth pack two wolves were especially close motsi the beta wolf on
especially close motsi the beta wolf on
especially close motsi the beta wolf on the left and Lakota the Omega often hung
the left and Lakota the Omega often hung
the left and Lakota the Omega often hung out together apart from the rest of the
out together apart from the rest of the
out together apart from the rest of the pack motsi genuinely seemed to enjoy
pack motsi genuinely seemed to enjoy
pack motsi genuinely seemed to enjoy Lakotas company and Lakota normally
Lakotas company and Lakota normally
Lakotas company and Lakota normally shunned or picked upon by the rest of
shunned or picked upon by the rest of
shunned or picked upon by the rest of the pack appeared grateful to have matzi
the pack appeared grateful to have matzi
the pack appeared grateful to have matzi as a friend
as a friend
as a friend Lakota here in the center receives a
Lakota here in the center receives a
Lakota here in the center receives a reassuring glance from motsi and at
reassuring glance from motsi and at
reassuring glance from motsi and at times motsi would use his size and
times motsi would use his size and
times motsi would use his size and status to prevent conflicts and often
status to prevent conflicts and often
status to prevent conflicts and often Lakota would look to motsi to make sure
Lakota would look to motsi to make sure
Lakota would look to motsi to make sure that things didn’t get too out of hand
that things didn’t get too out of hand
that things didn’t get too out of hand occasionally the pack would become
occasionally the pack would become
occasionally the pack would become aggressive with the Omega and these
aggressive with the Omega and these
aggressive with the Omega and these assaults and Lakota would concern the
assaults and Lakota would concern the
assaults and Lakota would concern the beta wolf and frequently motsi would
beta wolf and frequently motsi would
beta wolf and frequently motsi would actually body check the aggressors to
actually body check the aggressors to
actually body check the aggressors to stop the fighting in this case however
stop the fighting in this case however
stop the fighting in this case however Lakota sank to the ground worm crawled
Lakota sank to the ground worm crawled
Lakota sank to the ground worm crawled his way out of the frenzy with motsi
his way out of the frenzy with motsi
his way out of the frenzy with motsi Lakota was free to do things that he
Lakota was free to do things that he
Lakota was free to do things that he wouldn’t dare do around the other wolves
wouldn’t dare do around the other wolves
wouldn’t dare do around the other wolves he never would have jumped on another
he never would have jumped on another
he never would have jumped on another mid-ranking wolves back to instigate
mid-ranking wolves back to instigate
mid-ranking wolves back to instigate play no wolf in the pack would have
play no wolf in the pack would have
play no wolf in the pack would have stood for that sort of audacity from an
stood for that sort of audacity from an
stood for that sort of audacity from an Omega motsi on the other hand would just
Omega motsi on the other hand would just
Omega motsi on the other hand would just let it pass not only did these two will
let it pass not only did these two will
let it pass not only did these two will sleep side by side but when motsi went
sleep side by side but when motsi went
sleep side by side but when motsi went exploring Lakota often followed one of
exploring Lakota often followed one of
exploring Lakota often followed one of the happiest observations that we
the happiest observations that we
the happiest observations that we experience in all of our time with the
experience in all of our time with the
experience in all of our time with the pack was the sight of seeing these two
pack was the sight of seeing these two
pack was the sight of seeing these two wolves frolicking together and the look
wolves frolicking together and the look
wolves frolicking together and the look of absolute pure joy on the face of
of absolute pure joy on the face of
of absolute pure joy on the face of Lakota freed for a moment from all of
Lakota freed for a moment from all of
Lakota freed for a moment from all of his burdens wolves are not only social
his burdens wolves are not only social
his burdens wolves are not only social animals living together as families they
animals living together as families they
animals living together as families they are also a keystone species in that they
are also a keystone species in that they
are also a keystone species in that they help manage and bring stability
help manage and bring stability
help manage and bring stability two ecosystems in the 1920s wolves were
two ecosystems in the 1920s wolves were
two ecosystems in the 1920s wolves were nearly completely eradicated from the
nearly completely eradicated from the
nearly completely eradicated from the American West and then realizing that
American West and then realizing that
American West and then realizing that the wolf was almost extinct in
the wolf was almost extinct in
the wolf was almost extinct in ecosystems were falling out of balance
ecosystems were falling out of balance
ecosystems were falling out of balance the US government captured wolves in
the US government captured wolves in
the US government captured wolves in Canada and reintroduced them to
Canada and reintroduced them to
Canada and reintroduced them to Yellowstone National Park in central
Yellowstone National Park in central
Yellowstone National Park in central Idaho since reintroduction there have
Idaho since reintroduction there have
Idaho since reintroduction there have been many improvements to ecosystems
been many improvements to ecosystems
been many improvements to ecosystems reported by various scientific studies
reported by various scientific studies
reported by various scientific studies for example while the Wolves were absent
for example while the Wolves were absent
for example while the Wolves were absent for those seventy years or so elk having
for those seventy years or so elk having
for those seventy years or so elk having few predators to prey upon them would
few predators to prey upon them would
few predators to prey upon them would linger in the riparian areas along the
linger in the riparian areas along the
linger in the riparian areas along the rivers and streams browsing on and
rivers and streams browsing on and
rivers and streams browsing on and suppressing the new growth of Willow
suppressing the new growth of Willow
suppressing the new growth of Willow Aspen and cottonwood trees today the
Aspen and cottonwood trees today the
Aspen and cottonwood trees today the fear of wolves has redistributed the elk
fear of wolves has redistributed the elk
fear of wolves has redistributed the elk they now prefer higher ground in other
they now prefer higher ground in other
they now prefer higher ground in other places where they feel safer from wolves
places where they feel safer from wolves
places where they feel safer from wolves meanwhile back along the rivers and
meanwhile back along the rivers and
meanwhile back along the rivers and streams since the elk moved on the
streams since the elk moved on the
streams since the elk moved on the vegetation has bounced back until
vegetation has bounced back until
vegetation has bounced back until recently because the elk would eat all
recently because the elk would eat all
recently because the elk would eat all the young saplings the only cottonwood
the young saplings the only cottonwood
the young saplings the only cottonwood trees in the entire park were no younger
trees in the entire park were no younger
trees in the entire park were no younger than 70 years of age trees now stabilize
than 70 years of age trees now stabilize
than 70 years of age trees now stabilize the banks and provide shade and lowers
the banks and provide shade and lowers
the banks and provide shade and lowers the temperature of the water making the
the temperature of the water making the
the temperature of the water making the habitat better for trout resulting in
habitat better for trout resulting in
habitat better for trout resulting in more and bigger fish in Yellowstone the
more and bigger fish in Yellowstone the
more and bigger fish in Yellowstone the remains of a kill left behind by the
remains of a kill left behind by the
remains of a kill left behind by the Wolves provides needed food for other
Wolves provides needed food for other
Wolves provides needed food for other animals scavengers such as grizzly bears
animals scavengers such as grizzly bears
animals scavengers such as grizzly bears Wolverines black bears and golden and
Wolverines black bears and golden and
Wolverines black bears and golden and bald eagles just to name a very few in
bald eagles just to name a very few in
bald eagles just to name a very few in Yellowstone the overpopulation of
Yellowstone the overpopulation of
Yellowstone the overpopulation of coyotes has fallen by half the Wolves
coyotes has fallen by half the Wolves
coyotes has fallen by half the Wolves either killed them or chase them away
either killed them or chase them away
either killed them or chase them away this has increased the number of rodents
this has increased the number of rodents
this has increased the number of rodents rabbits hares pocket gophers field mice
rabbits hares pocket gophers field mice
rabbits hares pocket gophers field mice animals that provide food for struggling
animals that provide food for struggling
animals that provide food for struggling birds of praise owls hawks and eagles
birds of praise owls hawks and eagles
birds of praise owls hawks and eagles are now doing much better the drop in
are now doing much better the drop in
are now doing much better the drop in the coyote population is also benefited
the coyote population is also benefited
the coyote population is also benefited pronghorn antelope you see coyote
pronghorn antelope you see coyote
pronghorn antelope you see coyote specialize in feeding and young
specialize in feeding and young
specialize in feeding and young the lobe fawns and their mothers as they
the lobe fawns and their mothers as they
the lobe fawns and their mothers as they try to protect their offsprings will do
try to protect their offsprings will do
try to protect their offsprings will do not on top of all these ecological and
not on top of all these ecological and
not on top of all these ecological and environmental improvements having wolves
environmental improvements having wolves
environmental improvements having wolves back in the park draws 150,000 new
back in the park draws 150,000 new
back in the park draws 150,000 new visitors to Yellowstone each year people
visitors to Yellowstone each year people
visitors to Yellowstone each year people that come to the park just to see wolves
that come to the park just to see wolves
that come to the park just to see wolves this is an increase of 35 million
this is an increase of 35 million
this is an increase of 35 million dollars annually to the local economy so
dollars annually to the local economy so
dollars annually to the local economy so now I’d like to bring you up to date on
now I’d like to bring you up to date on
now I’d like to bring you up to date on what’s currently happening with wolves
what’s currently happening with wolves
what’s currently happening with wolves in 2011
in 2011
in 2011 wolves were taken off the endangered
wolves were taken off the endangered
wolves were taken off the endangered species list for the first time ever an
species list for the first time ever an
species list for the first time ever an animal was removed from the list of
animal was removed from the list of
animal was removed from the list of endangered species by lawmakers not
endangered species by lawmakers not
endangered species by lawmakers not biologists the US Congress turned over
biologists the US Congress turned over
biologists the US Congress turned over management of wolves from the federal
management of wolves from the federal
management of wolves from the federal government to state governments now
government to state governments now
government to state governments now after wolves were so carefully restored
after wolves were so carefully restored
after wolves were so carefully restored they’re quickly being killed again of
they’re quickly being killed again of
they’re quickly being killed again of the 1,700 wolves in the West hunters and
the 1,700 wolves in the West hunters and
the 1,700 wolves in the West hunters and trappers have killed almost a thousand
trappers have killed almost a thousand
trappers have killed almost a thousand in just the past 17 months the states of
in just the past 17 months the states of
in just the past 17 months the states of Idaho Wyoming and Montana are determined
Idaho Wyoming and Montana are determined
Idaho Wyoming and Montana are determined to reduce this recovering population of
to reduce this recovering population of
to reduce this recovering population of wolves to a handful of individuals
wolves to a handful of individuals
wolves to a handful of individuals scattered throughout the vast American
scattered throughout the vast American
scattered throughout the vast American West the Idaho Legislature has now
West the Idaho Legislature has now
West the Idaho Legislature has now allowed trappers to use the carcasses of
allowed trappers to use the carcasses of
allowed trappers to use the carcasses of wolves and even dead wolf pups to bait
wolves and even dead wolf pups to bait
wolves and even dead wolf pups to bait traps to bring in more wolves making the
traps to bring in more wolves making the
traps to bring in more wolves making the quota of 16 wolves if you both hunt and
quota of 16 wolves if you both hunt and
quota of 16 wolves if you both hunt and trap even easier to obtain using their
trap even easier to obtain using their
trap even easier to obtain using their social bonds against them it’s just
social bonds against them it’s just
social bonds against them it’s just using what wolves really have that makes
using what wolves really have that makes
using what wolves really have that makes them wonderful wolves Montana currently
them wonderful wolves Montana currently
them wonderful wolves Montana currently has a bill in the works that not only
has a bill in the works that not only
has a bill in the works that not only prevents a buffer zone around
prevents a buffer zone around
prevents a buffer zone around Yellowstone National Park but allows the
Yellowstone National Park but allows the
Yellowstone National Park but allows the use of silencers on rifles to hunt
use of silencers on rifles to hunt
use of silencers on rifles to hunt wolves
wolves
wolves this isn’t about hunters putting a mount
this isn’t about hunters putting a mount
this isn’t about hunters putting a mount on their wall or a rug on their floor
on their wall or a rug on their floor
on their wall or a rug on their floor the problem is that several Fish and
the problem is that several Fish and
the problem is that several Fish and Game agencies are enabling those who
Game agencies are enabling those who
Game agencies are enabling those who hate wolves to do maximum damage
hate wolves to do maximum damage
hate wolves to do maximum damage and they’re validating their hate
and they’re validating their hate
and they’re validating their hate through ink through an anger through
through ink through an anger through
through ink through an anger through this policy allowing a single individual
this policy allowing a single individual
this policy allowing a single individual to kill 16 wolves in a season allowing
to kill 16 wolves in a season allowing
to kill 16 wolves in a season allowing the use of dead wolves to lure their
the use of dead wolves to lure their
the use of dead wolves to lure their family members to a trap allowing the
family members to a trap allowing the
family members to a trap allowing the use of silencers so the loud bang does
use of silencers so the loud bang does
use of silencers so the loud bang does not scare off the rest of the pack all
not scare off the rest of the pack all
not scare off the rest of the pack all of these things send a message the
of these things send a message the
of these things send a message the message is it’s okay to hate wolves and
message is it’s okay to hate wolves and
message is it’s okay to hate wolves and please kill lots of them this agenda is
please kill lots of them this agenda is
please kill lots of them this agenda is not shared by the majority of Americans
not shared by the majority of Americans
not shared by the majority of Americans nor is it shared by the majority of
nor is it shared by the majority of
nor is it shared by the majority of residents in those states driven by a
residents in those states driven by a
residents in those states driven by a minority of hunters who kill wolves out
minority of hunters who kill wolves out
minority of hunters who kill wolves out of anger and hatred and by some
of anger and hatred and by some
of anger and hatred and by some agricultural interests this agenda is
agricultural interests this agenda is
agricultural interests this agenda is based on two false claims that wolves
based on two false claims that wolves
based on two false claims that wolves will kill all the deer and elk that
will kill all the deer and elk that
will kill all the deer and elk that hunter’s prize and they will destroy the
hunter’s prize and they will destroy the
hunter’s prize and they will destroy the livelihood of ranchers by eating all
livelihood of ranchers by eating all
livelihood of ranchers by eating all their livestock to the contrary these
their livestock to the contrary these
their livestock to the contrary these claims are just not true
claims are just not true
claims are just not true elk and deer populations in Idaho
elk and deer populations in Idaho
elk and deer populations in Idaho Montana and Wyoming where wolves do
Montana and Wyoming where wolves do
Montana and Wyoming where wolves do mostly live are either stable or
mostly live are either stable or
mostly live are either stable or increasing and where conflicts with
increasing and where conflicts with
increasing and where conflicts with livestock do exist effective solutions
livestock do exist effective solutions
livestock do exist effective solutions are available birthing Corral’s with
are available birthing Corral’s with
are available birthing Corral’s with electrified fencing the use of guard
electrified fencing the use of guard
electrified fencing the use of guard dogs and rage riders who keep a vigilant
dogs and rage riders who keep a vigilant
dogs and rage riders who keep a vigilant watch over the cattle and sheep are just
watch over the cattle and sheep are just
watch over the cattle and sheep are just a very few examples of things that
a very few examples of things that
a very few examples of things that really do work an unfortunate
really do work an unfortunate
really do work an unfortunate consequence of ranching on the open
consequence of ranching on the open
consequence of ranching on the open range is that livestock frequently die
range is that livestock frequently die
range is that livestock frequently die by any number of natural causes
by any number of natural causes
by any number of natural causes especially weather exposure disease and
especially weather exposure disease and
especially weather exposure disease and birthing complications livestock losses
birthing complications livestock losses
birthing complications livestock losses to wolves had terms have turned out to
to wolves had terms have turned out to
to wolves had terms have turned out to be far less than ever predicted less
be far less than ever predicted less
be far less than ever predicted less than 2% of all livestock deaths are
than 2% of all livestock deaths are
than 2% of all livestock deaths are attributed to wolves and ranchers are
attributed to wolves and ranchers are
attributed to wolves and ranchers are compensated by any loss caused by a wolf
compensated by any loss caused by a wolf
compensated by any loss caused by a wolf a growing number of ranchers are
a growing number of ranchers are
a growing number of ranchers are embracing innovative suggestions and
embracing innovative suggestions and
embracing innovative suggestions and solutions including the removal of dead
solutions including the removal of dead
solutions including the removal of dead livestock which have died of natural
livestock which have died of natural
livestock which have died of natural instead of leaving the remains behind on
instead of leaving the remains behind on
instead of leaving the remains behind on the open range for carnivores to feed on
the open range for carnivores to feed on
the open range for carnivores to feed on this helps to reduce the learning of bad
this helps to reduce the learning of bad
this helps to reduce the learning of bad habits not only in wolves but in other
habits not only in wolves but in other
habits not only in wolves but in other predators as well so to put the
predators as well so to put the
predators as well so to put the population of recovering wolves into
population of recovering wolves into
population of recovering wolves into perspective
perspective
perspective Idaho is home to 2,500 mountain lions
Idaho is home to 2,500 mountain lions
Idaho is home to 2,500 mountain lions 20,000 black bears 50,000 coyotes and
20,000 black bears 50,000 coyotes and
20,000 black bears 50,000 coyotes and 103 thousand elk and over a year ago
103 thousand elk and over a year ago
103 thousand elk and over a year ago before the killing began Idaho was home
before the killing began Idaho was home
before the killing began Idaho was home to only a thousand wolves which has now
to only a thousand wolves which has now
to only a thousand wolves which has now been reduced by half we feel that the
been reduced by half we feel that the
been reduced by half we feel that the most important observation that we
most important observation that we
most important observation that we experienced while living with the
experienced while living with the
experienced while living with the Sawtooth pack was to see how these
Sawtooth pack was to see how these
Sawtooth pack was to see how these wolves cared for one another an example
wolves cared for one another an example
wolves cared for one another an example of this behavior revealed itself in the
of this behavior revealed itself in the
of this behavior revealed itself in the very first year of the project with a
very first year of the project with a
very first year of the project with a dark female Omega wolf that we had named
dark female Omega wolf that we had named
dark female Omega wolf that we had named maitake maitake is the word for shadow
maitake maitake is the word for shadow
maitake maitake is the word for shadow in the Blackfoot language and like all
in the Blackfoot language and like all
in the Blackfoot language and like all Omega wolves
Omega wolves
Omega wolves she was the focus of pack aggression
she was the focus of pack aggression
she was the focus of pack aggression forced to eat last
forced to eat last
forced to eat last and often picked upon as a result of her
and often picked upon as a result of her
and often picked upon as a result of her omega status maitake would often go off
omega status maitake would often go off
omega status maitake would often go off and be alone in a remote area of the
and be alone in a remote area of the
and be alone in a remote area of the territory and it was during the time
territory and it was during the time
territory and it was during the time like this that a mountain lion climbed
like this that a mountain lion climbed
like this that a mountain lion climbed over the fence and killed maitake now
over the fence and killed maitake now
over the fence and killed maitake now the story I’d like to share with you is
the story I’d like to share with you is
the story I’d like to share with you is not how maitake died but rather how the
not how maitake died but rather how the
not how maitake died but rather how the pack reacted to her death for the
pack reacted to her death for the
pack reacted to her death for the remainder of that spring and well into
remainder of that spring and well into
remainder of that spring and well into the following summer their behavior
the following summer their behavior
the following summer their behavior changed and they appeared depressed
changed and they appeared depressed
changed and they appeared depressed hanging their heads they drifted about
hanging their heads they drifted about
hanging their heads they drifted about their home in a listless manner
their home in a listless manner
their home in a listless manner now this Jamie had mentioned earlier we
now this Jamie had mentioned earlier we
now this Jamie had mentioned earlier we have observed that normally Omega wolves
have observed that normally Omega wolves
have observed that normally Omega wolves instigate play in an effort to diffuse
instigate play in an effort to diffuse
instigate play in an effort to diffuse pack tension maitake was good at this
pack tension maitake was good at this
pack tension maitake was good at this and when she died the other wolves lost
and when she died the other wolves lost
and when she died the other wolves lost the spirit to play another indication of
the spirit to play another indication of
the spirit to play another indication of their change behavior is the way they
their change behavior is the way they
their change behavior is the way they howled howling is an exciting time for
howled howling is an exciting time for
howled howling is an exciting time for they rally together to celebrate the
they rally together to celebrate the
they rally together to celebrate the Solidarity of their family singing
Solidarity of their family singing
Solidarity of their family singing together as a group the hall was
together as a group the hall was
together as a group the hall was punctuated with lively hips and lines
punctuated with lively hips and lines
punctuated with lively hips and lines after manutaki died their howling
after manutaki died their howling
after manutaki died their howling changed for a time no longer a gathering
changed for a time no longer a gathering
changed for a time no longer a gathering together it would howl separately and
together it would howl separately and
together it would howl separately and with very little energy their
with very little energy their
with very little energy their vocalizations had a mournful searching
vocalizations had a mournful searching
vocalizations had a mournful searching quality to them as if they expected
quality to them as if they expected
quality to them as if they expected maitake to return these change behaviors
maitake to return these change behaviors
maitake to return these change behaviors continued for well over six weeks during
continued for well over six weeks during
continued for well over six weeks during the time with spent with the Sawtooth
the time with spent with the Sawtooth
the time with spent with the Sawtooth pact we watch as the Wolves built their
pact we watch as the Wolves built their
pact we watch as the Wolves built their own society chose their own leader and
own society chose their own leader and
own society chose their own leader and settled their differences we’ve
settled their differences we’ve
settled their differences we’ve witnessed both physical and vocal
witnessed both physical and vocal
witnessed both physical and vocal interactions camaraderie the reaction to
interactions camaraderie the reaction to
interactions camaraderie the reaction to death of a pack member the digging of a
death of a pack member the digging of a
death of a pack member the digging of a den and birth and raising a pups we even
den and birth and raising a pups we even
den and birth and raising a pups we even experienced and saw sympathy guilt
experienced and saw sympathy guilt
experienced and saw sympathy guilt sadness and joy new falling snow always
sadness and joy new falling snow always
sadness and joy new falling snow always put the wolves in a playful mood the
put the wolves in a playful mood the
put the wolves in a playful mood the focus of our project was to examine the
focus of our project was to examine the
focus of our project was to examine the individual relationships that the Wolves
individual relationships that the Wolves
individual relationships that the Wolves had with one another and it was here
had with one another and it was here
had with one another and it was here that the more subtle signs of pact unity
that the more subtle signs of pact unity
that the more subtle signs of pact unity revealed themselves rarely to two wolves
revealed themselves rarely to two wolves
revealed themselves rarely to two wolves pass each other without rubbing
pass each other without rubbing
pass each other without rubbing shoulders or exchanging a brief lick
shoulders or exchanging a brief lick
shoulders or exchanging a brief lick often Jamie and I would see the pack
often Jamie and I would see the pack
often Jamie and I would see the pack lying together curled up amongst to each
lying together curled up amongst to each
lying together curled up amongst to each other the head of one wolf draped over
other the head of one wolf draped over
other the head of one wolf draped over the shoulder of another in a gesture
the shoulder of another in a gesture
the shoulder of another in a gesture that was both assertive yet affectionate
that was both assertive yet affectionate
that was both assertive yet affectionate more than anything else this is the
more than anything else this is the
more than anything else this is the behavior we hope to reveal in our books
behavior we hope to reveal in our books
behavior we hope to reveal in our books films and presentations it is a side of
films and presentations it is a side of
films and presentations it is a side of wolves that people understand the least
wolves that people understand the least
wolves that people understand the least we really appreciate you all coming
we really appreciate you all coming
we really appreciate you all coming tonight thank you
”
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