Hello fellow Islanders
Spring is here and we are all getting outside more, so I wanted to remind everyone about living with our local island wolf pack. I love the wolves, and want them, and us, to stay safe.
Wolf attacks on humans are extremely rare and there has never been a documented case of a wild wolf purposely killing a human in North America. I have had many positive encounters with the wolves: when they see me, they turn and go in the other direction, and so do I. The wolves frequent my property, and I take precautions to keep my dog, two cats and child safe. Wolf etiquette reminder: if you see a wolf, don’t run away! A wolf is way faster than you, and running makes you look like prey. Stay calm, do not make eye contact. Simply back away until you feel safe and then turn and walk away.
I know there have been some incidents lately in which wolves attacked livestock at night. This can be avoided by locking your livestock in a barn at night. Wolves, like all wild animals, are opportunistic and if a lamb is easier to get than an agile deer, guess what they are going to go for. You can hardly blame the wolf.
There are wolves in the city too, they roam the streets armed with guns and knives. I prefer canis lupus, the rural wolf, over the ones in the city. On Quadra the wolves are concerned with their next meal; in the city they want to own the streets.
Let's love our wolves and be proud to have them among us. Please take precautions to keep you, your pets and livestock safe, and then the wolves will be safe too.
Howling at the moon,
Brandi Hedefine