A Cry in the Night - Wolves

               Auntie and I stepped out on the porch one warm, starry spring night. A gentle breeze rifled our hair and the aroma of May Flowers was on the air. I pulled my sweater around me a little more snuggly as we stared up at the glittering heavens. It was our hope to spot the bright, flickering speck of light that marked the Space Station arching across the sky on one of its nightly revolutions around our planet.

               There were no cars on the road, and evening lights glittered from distant farm-houses. The incessant chirrup, chirrup of frogs could be heard from the nearby pond on the neighbor’s land. Otherwise, it was quiet and peaceful. The perfect countryside evening.

               All at once it was everywhere! An almost unearthly gargle followed by a sky-splitting high pitched eerie howwwlllll!!!!!! I jumped high and moved a little closer to Auntie before I realized what I was hearing. Then there was another, a few more, and soon a whole crowd of them, all crying out to the sky, the moon, the world and the ages!

               We stood very quiet and still for a moment as we listened respectfully to the cries of our four legged neighbors somewhere in the depths of the dark, shady woods across the way.

               Let us hope we’re not the last generation to have the pleasure of experiencing such a thrilling moment.

               This week, the government in the Canadian province of British Columbia agreed to and legalized a wolf cull. The plan is to slaughter nearly 200 wolves by sending out hunters in helicopters. The animals won’t even stand a chance! People across the continent are, understandably, very perturbed. Petitions have been signed, conservation organizations are throwing energy and money into putting this to a stop, and, generally, people are expressing a very justified outrage. Most sensible folks don’t want to see innocent – and beautiful creatures – ruthlessly slaughtered.

Read the story here.

               Here’s the monkey wrench the machine. The government is doing this to protect another, equally beautiful and innocent species. The caribou.

               Herds are at a terrible low, and supporters of the wolf cull argue that killing the wolves is a last and desperate attempt at preserving these beautiful deer. They further argue that the wolves are not, at present, at all endangered and will survive the cull just fine.

               Didn’t someone say something like that about the bison, once, many years ago?

               Here’s the big question. What, exactly, is causing the caribou to decline? They are a food source for the wolves and a certain number are lost to wolf hunting every year. But it’s been that way for thousands of years and the wolves have yet to wipe out the caribou. Why would it suddenly be an issue now?

               Some argue that it has nothing to do with the wolves. They say it’s habitat destruction. Our cities and towns get bigger every year. More and more people fill every square mile. Buildings, roads and bridges spring up at almost alarming rates. And as they do, there is less forest, meadow and wetland for the animals to share. We know this has caused serious problems for wildlife before. They simply need their space. Could this be what’s killing the caribou?

               Then comes back the argument that habitat restoration has been tried, already, and still the caribou numbers decline.

               In the end, the caribou and the wolf are both key members of our ecology, and precious parts of our heritage. We can’t stand to lose or injure either one.

               There’s got to be a solution that will allow both creatures to live on and thrive in safety and security. But it’s a tough question. My mind wanders back to one thing. These animals have existed together for millennia. Mother Nature has always found a way to balance the ebb with a flow.

               Is it possible she has the answer again, this time?