Living Like Wolves

How about behaving like a wolf today? Yes, I said wolf. Wolves are perhaps the most misunderstood of all animals. Often portrayed as vicious predators, they are truly wise and wondrous creatures.

As seen in the 2007 documentary, Living With Wolves, researchers Jim and Jamie Dutcher studied the Sawtooth Pack in an enclosed nature reserve for six years, and made many amazing discoveries. (www.livingwithwolves.org) Their findings revealed a completely different perspective on the creatures often associated with scary movies and full moons.

Here are a few of their “surprising” revelations. Wolves are affectionate, compassionate and loyal to their pack. Although there is an alpha male and female who lead the group, all adults have a role in raising the young. The resources of the pack are shared. Wolves care for the sick and wounded, and grieve deeply when a member is killed.

What I found most interesting in the documentary was the relationship of the omega male to the other animals. He appeared to be the least of the pack. He was not permitted to eat until after everyone else, he was frequently picked on, and generally seemed to get the “short end of the stick”. But when it came time to move the pack to another sanctuary, it was the alpha male who guided the fearful omega out of his cage. He would not be left behind.

When we look at the omega from the perspective of what he taught the other wolves, he clearly wasn’t the least important. This male allowed himself to be the ”last” in order for the rest of the wolves to learn survival skills. Without this training, they would not be able to protect themselves from outside predators. In actuality, the omega may be the most spiritually advanced of the wolf pack.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Camilla V.

11:05PM PST on Mar 12, 2011

wolf that hunts are more humane than greedy humans that are just evil, all hunting that humans does is nothing but greed and cruelty

send a green star

KS G.

1:18AM PST on Feb 27, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Colleen P.

7:00AM PST on Jan 12, 2011

why would anyone want to live like a wolf? don't you know how they hunt and kill? that the'll mutilate an elk mother? wolves don't ask the sick,dying or old "can I eat you? it's a mercy killing, you suffer"
the'll eat babies, they don't kill instantly when they hunt.

Teresa W.

4:53AM PST on Dec 8, 2010

interesting

Arthur K.

10:02AM PST on Nov 26, 2010

Wovles are very cool.We need to look at wovles in a diffrent light.

Red S.

6:21PM PST on Nov 21, 2010

How nice to hear something positive about wolves especially with so many wanting to destroy them. I have seen these intriguing creatures in the wild and think it such a shame there are people wanting bills passed to making killing them legal. thank you susan and I do hope some of the wolf-haters read this article and maybe they will see the truth.

Carolanne P.

6:43AM PDT on Oct 16, 2010

Wolves are fascinating creatures & can teach us much.

Merryl G.

1:44PM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

Why can't people just leave them alone. They are magnificent animals and deserve to live with their families in peace!!

shirley s.

1:37PM PDT on Oct 14, 2010

A wonderfully, informative article. Thank you so much for speaking up and about these beautiful animals. Our wildlife, our wolves, are a precious resource, let us take care of the earth and all of God's creatures.

Bridget K.

4:00PM PDT on Sep 7, 2010

bravo