Coexisting with Wolves
The gray wolf, a keystone predator, is an integral link in the food chain of the ecosystems to which it belongs. Though the gray wolf is the ancestor of the domestic dog, there has been a tragic history of human/wolf conflict. Wolves almost never attack humans and do not generally pose a problem for livestock; however, because they have been known to attack domesticated animals, wolves have been hunted relentlessly and were nearly hunted to extinction in the lower 48 states. Some populations survived; some populations have returned to the Great Lakes region, the northern Rockies, and the southwestern U.S.; but the species still faces persecution.
The gray wolf was placed on the endangered species list under the Endangered Species Act in 1973 as a response to perilously low population levels. They remained listed until 2011 when their protection began to be eroded as specific populations were delisted. In 2021, all gray wolves lost protection under the Act, resulting in nationwide outcry. Thanks to concerted efforts by non-profits and members of the public, gray wolves are protected again except for the populations in the Northern Rockies.