by Greg Walcher, E&E Legal Senior Policy Fellow
The Daily Sentinel
Wolves yelp, bark and howl at night to commmunicate, establish territories, and even to show affection. They do not actually howl at the moon, although that romanticized vision was cited by many voters who thought returning wolves to Colorado would somehow enhance their lives. Artworks showing silhouettes of wolves howling at the moon are very popular, though the image is pure folklore.
Many ancient cultures believed that the moon had supernatural power, and howling at the moon was considered a means of tapping into that. Ancient Greeks howled at the moon to honor the goddess, Artemis. Some Native American initiation ceremonies included howling at the moon, to communicate with spirits and ancestors. Today, “howling at the moon” is a common expression to describe futile or irrational speech or activity.
Maybe bringing wolves back to Colorado enhanced the quality of life for some, but it certainly did not enhance the lives of the wolves. They were trapped, held in cages barely large enough to move, transported in noisy vehicles to strange places, released in front of cameras and gawkers and then vilified by the public for doing what wolves do. Some have been tranquilized, recaptured and moved again, and some have been killed — for committing the unpardonable sin of killing and eating. What should one expect wolves to do?
State wildlife officials are under fierce scrutiny for importing wolves from packs with a history of depredation (killing livestock), which they promised not to do, and for taking too long to remove depredating wolves in Grand and Jackson counties. But their choices are limited. With some northwestern tribes now refusing to send any wolves to Colorado; with Oregon offering only those from depredating packs; and yet with voter-passed law nevertheless requiring the reintroduction; what exactly are wildlife officials to do? Ignore the clear instructions of voters and the Legislature?
