Myths & Facts About Wolf Recovery in the Northeast

Myth: Wolves are dangerous to humans.

Fact: You stand a better chance of getting hit by a meteorite than killed by a wolf. There is no documented case of a healthy, wild wolf killing a human in North America and there have been few cases of wolf aggression toward people in North America - only 28 such instances in the last 110 years, none of which were fatal. On the other hand, domestic dogs are responsible for more than 4.7 million bites each year and attacks by domestic dogs result in more than 2 fatalities per year in the United States alone.

Myth: Wolves will eliminate or substantially reduce prey species in the Northeast.

Fact: Scientists predict wolves will have only a modest impact on prey populations. In the five continental states with growing wolf populations, hunting license sales and deer harvests have steadily increased, indicating that the wolf has had no adverse impact on prey populations. In fact, the presence of wolves may actually improve prey animals by removing inferior animals from the population.

Myth: Farmers will suffer economic hardship as a result of wolf recovery.

Fact: Livestock loss rates in northwestern Montana, where wolves have been present for more than ten years, and in Minnesota, where there are approximately 2,000 wolves, are extremely low - a fraction of one percent in both regions. Moreover, Defenders of Wildlife has a $100,000 fund, The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust, that pays fair market value for verified livestock losses to wolves. Defenders has committed to extend this compensation fund to the Northeast should wolves be restored there.

Myth: The Endangered Species Act prevents the control of wolves that prey on livestock.

Fact: Both "endangered" wolves (such as those in northwestern Montana) and "threatened" wolves (such as those in Minnesota) are routinely controlled when they prey on livestock by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA)Wildlife Services units. If wolves are reintroduced into the Northeast, they likely will not fall under full endangered species protection, but rather a special designation that allows land-owners more flexibility in controlling problem animals.

Myth: Wolf recovery will require land use restrictions.

Fact: A recovery plan for wolves in the Northeast would contain no special restrictions on land uses.

Myth: Most people in the Northeast oppose wolf reintroduction.

Fact: Several polls conducted in the Northeast have shown that most people favor wolf reintroduction. Other polls taken throughout the United States consistently demonstrate that more people support wolf recovery than oppose it.

Myth: Wolf restoration plans do not take the needs of local citizens into consideration.

Fact: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service held more than 120 public hearings and open houses to allow for public input in the northern Rockies wolf reintroductions. The final plan was tailored to meet the stated needs of local citizens based on the public comment process including the following key features: ability of private landowners to harass wolves and even kill them if found killing their livestock; ability to control wolves if they have significant impacts on big game populations; and no land-use restrictions. In the Northeast, states would eventually have more management authority than the federal government but similar public hearings would be held and similar provisions would apply.

Myth: The presence of wolves would impact coyote control.

Fact: The presence of wolves in the Northeast would not impact coyote control. If wolves are reintroduced, hunting and trapping of coyotes would not be restricted. In fact, wolves could actually help control coyotes. Wolf biologist Dr. David Mech estimates that each wolf pack will displace an estimated 50 coyotes, decreasing their adverse impacts on domestic livestock and prey species.

Myth: Wolves will spread disease.

Fact: The incidence of rabies in wolves is extremely low, and has typically been limited to arctic environments. While wolves can contract rabies, they tend not to, and those that do die quickly rather than passing the disease along to humans or other wildlife. Additionally, all reintroduced wolves will be checked for disease and vaccinated.

Myth: Wolf recovery is a partisan issue.

Fact: It is our country's national policy to restore threatened and endangered species. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan was completed during the Reagan Administration, and the first support for Yellowstone reintroduction came from the Bush Administration in 1991, showing bipartisan support.