Wolf Conservation Center Blog

It’s unconscionable and truly disappointing that our modern-day storytellers continue to vilify wolves, thereby perpetuating the myth that they are ferocious predators who actively stalk and viciously hunt humans. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, over the last hundred years in the U.S., there have been no documented human deaths attributed to wild wolves. The wolf scenes in Del Toro’s Frankenstein, which aren’t depicted in Mary Shelley’s original novel, are used as a fear-mongering tactic. These scenes are wholly unnecessary and add nothing to the story. Instead, they reinforce fears and animosity toward this remarkable keystone species, ultimately setting back the crucial efforts of those of us who work tirelessly to promote wolf recovery and conservation. I know this firsthand because it’s been the focus of my life for over twenty-five years. Such depictions are nothing new; wolves have the worst P.R. on the planet. For thousands…

In a classroom in Martinsburg, West Virginia, home of the Berkeley Heights Elementary School Badgers, the sounds of curiosity and excitement fill the air. Mrs. Kelly Gray’s Roots and Shoots students sit as a group, planning their next adventure and learning about the world around them – a world that includes wolves. With the walls of the classroom decorated like a safari, and with Mrs. Gray brining her creativity and passion, the students could be anywhere in the world. Where did they choose to be? The Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York. The Roots and Shoots program, founded by Dr. Jane Goodall, empowers youth to make the world a better place, and with Mrs. Gray at their side, the students have done just that. As a group, they explored the world around them, with curiosity and awe, and in doing so, learned of the plight of wolves. Wolves…