Wolves
The relationship between people and wolves has changed dramatically over the course of history. Many thousands of years ago, early man admired the wolf for its coordinated and graceful hunting techniques. No one can say how long it's been since a shaggy, friendly cross between a wolf and a wild dog became "man's best friend." The dog, at least, has kept its popularity since that ancient time. Somewhere along the way, the wolf lost our admiration. We became civilized -- the wolf did not. We kept herds of sheep and cattle, which the wolves found astonishingly simple to hunt. We lost much of our ability to survive as nomadic hunters -- the wolves were still masters of the uncertain wilderness outside the city walls. Did we resent the wolf's choice of prey? Or did we resent being reminded of the wilderness we had lost? Today, as we begin to understand how precious our environment is, the magnificent gray wolf remains a symbol of the wilderness habitats we strive to conserve. There is a growing wave of public support that calls for the careful study, proper management, and selective reintroduction of the wolf. Most exciting of all, the popularity of the gray wolf is more than a joyful celebration of the beast -- it's an unspoken pledge, made by millions of us, that says we will no longer take our precious natural heritage for granted, but will care for it, protect it, and conserve it for coming generations. To find out how you can help, call 1-800-822-9919 or write: National Wildlife Federation Membership Services 8925 Leesburg Pike Vienna, VA 22184
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