A Growing Fear of Wolves

More Wolves

In Switzerland they reintroduced wolves and they are thriving, to the point where a collection of 17 packs of wolves became a pack of 35 wolves. As the number of wolves increases so does the probability that humans will fall victim to wolves. They are thinking of reintroducing them to Ireland too.

“Wolves create a landscape of fear that keeps deer moving, it keeps deer away from the roads, it keeps deer up in the highlands where we want them, not down in our fields or in our gardens,” he says.

Reintroducing wolves also takes away the freedom of hikers, walkers and children. The more wolves are around, the more likely it is that humans will fall victim to these wolves. If they behave like foxes or cats then I have no problem. If they behave like domestic dogs we will need to walk with fog horns, pepper spray or big sticks. If wolves are reintroduced it is no longer safe to walk alone, and that is all I do.

The very argument for introducing wolves, to frighten deer, is the same argument for why they should not be reintroduced. Europe is densely populated. If we introduce predators humans will encounter them more and more regularly, and eventually people will be attacked. We don’t introduce sharks to swimming waters. Why do people think it’s okay to reintroduce wolves?

Fear of Dogs, Fear of Wolves

Dogs attack humans regularly. I have been threatened by dogs at least five to ten times during my walks. I have never been bitten but I have changed where I walk because of my fear of dogs. If dogs were not cruel, sadistic animals, I would not fear wolves. If I knew with certainty that wolves behave like foxes then I would feel safe. Foxes usually slink away, or sprint away, depending on whether they know they have been seen. If wolves behave like foxes then I am less afraid, but I still don’t want to walk in woods alone anymore.

Loss of Freedom

By reintroducing wolves we remove the freedom for people to walk alone. We also decrease the safety of children to go out alone. There was a recent petition where 25,000 or more people signed against the culling of wolves in Switzerland but the article doesn’t address the key point. Are the people who sign petitions to keep wolves, hiking alone in the woods? Are the people who want wolves around stuck in cities, where there is little to no risk of seeing wolves?

Carry an air horn, bear spray, or something to ward off nearby wolves.

And Finally

Are wolf attacks rare because wolves are rare, or are they rare because wolves, like foxes fear humans. If attacks are rare because wolves behave like foxes then I am not afraid. If attacks are rare, because wolves are rare, then I do not find this reassuring, especially with growing numbers. I am tempted to walk with pepper spray, an air horn and trekking poles.