Science before fairy tales

Wolves. The mention of the word typically evokes chilling tales of babies being stolen from their cribs at night and farm animals having their throats ripped out. Wolves. A species whose mystique is such that in our society, generation after generation is indoctrinated with the belief that anything wolfish, or having wolf qualities for that matter, is not to be trusted and generally despised.

Feared by Western society but revered by many Native cultures, few animals on this planet have been both worshipped as well as severely persecuted as wolves.

Earlier this year, the Bush administration passed the responsibility of wolf management in neighboring Idaho, Montana and Wyoming from the Federal government to state-run Fish and Wildlife. It was also decided that the grey wolf should also be removed from the Endangered Species Act. These actions did not bode well for wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area.

Soon afterward, all three states introduced management programs that would severely trim wolf populations. In particular, the Idaho legislature called for the killing of 650 wolves, reducing their population from 800 to 150.

The passing of management from Federal to state control was celebrated by many in Idaho's government, particularly Gov. Butch Otter, who is avidly anti-wolf and who has been quoted as saying that upon approval of the public wolf hunt, he would be "the first one in line to buy a ticket."

Ranchers, particularly sheep ranchers, have been the most vocal in opposition to the reintroduction of the wolves. Incidentally, many in the upper echelon of Idaho's government, including Governor Otter, are major stakeholders in the industrial ranching sector. Their claim is that wolves are wiping out massive swaths of their sheep and cattle. They also hold a grudge over having the wolves "forced" upon their state by the Federal government.

It is understandable why ranchers would want a say in the process, but before we jump to conclusions we should look at the statistics and not be clouded with emotion. Sympathy goes out to any ranchers who have lost livestock, but the reality is this: the numbers of sheep and cattle deaths attributed to wolf attacks are minuscule compared to other causes, ranking below dogs, bobcats, poison and malnutrition. The percentage of sheep deaths caused by wolves is listed at .2 percent annually while wolves were held responsible for only 24 cattle deaths last year. Further, the effects of population reduction from hunting can have unpredictable effects on wolf behavior, as studies have shown that by killing wolves randomly, you end up with no leadership in the packs, which then leads to uneducated wolves seeking easy kills (livestock).

Wolves are top-line predators, which means that the benefits far outweigh the negatives. They cull weaker members of elk and deer herds, leaving their numbers stronger and healthier in the long run.

And as for the irrational fear of wolves carrying off our young at night? Since the onset of recorded history, there have only been 27 attacks by wolves. There's actually more chance of being struck by lightning or being killed by a bee sting. Maybe we should adopt some strict bee management policies.

The fact is that our ecosystems need these animals to protect and preserve the natural order. Instead of being led by superstition (the Big Bad Wolf), we should look at the real science and the real data. Instead of letting big government, posing as the common man, lead our policy making, let's make our voices heard in saying that our planet needs these near mythical creatures back in our forests.