Wolves in the Wild

I am concerned about unattributed information in “Call of the Wild” (March 21). The article states that “nine children have been killed by wolves and wolf hybrids since 1986.” The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has been documenting canid-caused deaths in the U.S. since 1986. Out of their numerous statistics, several deaths were caused by wolf hybrids but only one by a purebred, captive wolf. It is important to point out that the fatalities mentioned were caused by captive animals, not wild wolves.

According to wolf biologist Dr. L. David Mech and others, there is no documented case of a healthy, wild wolf killing a human in the United States. In fact, wild wolves prefer to avoid human contact. However, wolves in captivity may behave differently than their wild counterparts. In a confined area with no escape, wolves can be territorial and attack to establish territory and/or social rank. These attacks can be fatal, especially to children who are small and vulnerable.

Defenders of Wildlife strongly discourages the keeping of wild animals as pets, including wolves and wolf hybrids. Humans place themselves in jeopardy by living with wildlife as pets, and the animals almost invariably suffer, as well. On the other hand, wolves in the wild pose less threat to human safety than do falling meteorites.

NINA FASCIONE, Program Associate

Species Conservation Division

Defenders of Wildlife, Washington