Cheyenne's Howl

Printed in Mountain Messenger on Friday January 17, 1997

Biases & Predjudices

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What images come to your mind when you hear the word "Wolf"? The eerie howling under a full moon that penetrates the quiet night and sends goose bumps racing up your spine?; fearless animals working together moving in for a kill?; the pair of amber eyes belonging to a frightful beast hidden in the darkest corners of the forest waiting for an unsuspecting victim? Unfortunately, due to many of the myths, fairy tales, and movies that we have all grown up hearing and seeing, these are the pictures that often come to mind. Because of this Wolves are surrounded by controversy. They have become either a varmint that must be brought under control to the point of extinction, and they are a shy, magnificent, social animal that works with Mother Nature to balance the ecosystem.

Hello, my name is Cheyenne. My basic heritage is Eastern Timber, or more commonly known as Grey Wolf. Over the next several months I will be telling the story of my ancestors and sharing with you what has happened to them and how we are surviving today. The past has not painted a pretty picture of us, however things are changing and our future is brighter. We still must overcome many deeply ingrained biases and prejudices, but as more and more facts come out about Wolves, I hope that the eyes that now see will lead to a heart that is now open to the truth. I will be telling you about the life of a Wolf and the importance that we play in the animal kingdom.

DID YOU KNOW?

*In the 17th century, Ireland was known as "Wolfland" because of its high wolf population.

*The first Endangered Species Act of 1967 simply listed the wolf and offered no protection. The second Act of 1973 legislated to protect them from being killed anywhere in the contiguous 48 states.

*Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 and within eight years all of its wolves were exterminated.

The scientific name for the wolf, Canis Lupus, was originally coined in 1758 by Swedish scientist Carl Von Linne.

This is the end of my first Howl and I would like to leave you with the words to an old Indian Prayer:
"Spirit of the wolf, grant this prayer ...
that all can live as one with nature
and peace reign everywhere."

Cheyenne