Sunday November 1, 2009, 4:33 pm
The Wolf That Changed America
Video: Full Episode

This is the amazing PBS docudrama that tells the amazing true story behind the Disney movie "The Legend of Lobo."

In 1893, a bounty hunter named Ernest Thompson Seton journeyed to the untamed canyons of New Mexico on a mission to kill a dangerous outlaw. Feared by ranchers throughout the region, the outlaw wasn’t a pistol-packing cowboy or train-robbing bandit. The outlaw was a wolf. Lobo, as locals simply called him, was the legendary leader of a band of cattle-killing wolves that had been terrorizing cattle ranchers and their livestock. It was up to Seton to exterminate this “super-wolf.” The ensuing battle of wits between wolf and man would spark a real-life wilderness drama, the outcome of which would leave a lasting effect on a new and growing movement in America: wilderness preservation.

For me this story, based upon the actual personal diaries of Seton the bounty hunter who battled and finally killed Lobo and his mate Blanca, exemplifies the battle still being waged today between the beautiful misunderstood wolves and the hunters who want to exterminate them. Although he finally succeeded in his task, Seton learned new wisdom and he never killed a wolf again. He was later to write, "Ever since Lobo, my sincerest wish has been to impress upon people that each of our native wild creatures is in itself a precious heritage that we have no right to destroy or put beyond the reach of our children."

You can download a free copy of Seton's original story LOBO THE KING OF CURRUMPAW (from "Wild Animals I have Known", Scribners 1898) in an MS Word doc with his original photos and drawings by clicking here.

Sunday November 1, 2009, 5:23 pm
good one tom thank you ilike it hope more do

Sunday November 1, 2009, 6:16 pm
The orginal movie was sad to watch as a child..even then I was on the wolf's side...things have not changed except with the passage of time we leave them with less and less homeland.
Thanks Tom

Sunday November 1, 2009, 6:30 pm

I still remember this from first grade, and crying... :(

Thanks Tom.

HUGZ ~ Electra

Sunday November 1, 2009, 6:39 pm
Hugs Tom, both the video and the Disney movies have made a lasting impression on me.

Sunday November 1, 2009, 6:43 pm
Hello, I don't think many people realize that wolves are very intelligent and not only that, they are revered by American Indians. Wolves are sacred.

Sunday November 1, 2009, 9:36 pm
I just love stories like these. Not only people, but animals can change the world and leave with such a huge impact that will never be forgotten and will be passed down from generation to generation.
Thanks for the news.

Monday November 2, 2009, 12:33 am
i can remember watching this when i first came on the tube.i watched,and cheered for Lobo with tears running down my face, as are now,knowing how it would end .why has this family loving animal always been so vilified? and even now when we know of them as we do we still rush to slaughter them and there families ,for no reason.who gave us this right to slaughter everything so indiscriminately?? i don't understand. thanks Tom

Monday November 2, 2009, 12:38 am
thanks for this tom

Monday November 2, 2009, 1:07 am
I wonder if today's HUNTERS will live to REGRET their actions. Probably not. Thanks Tom I too have always loved LOBO"S story.

Monday November 2, 2009, 2:11 am
Wow.. that was... powerful stuff. Never seen anything like it in fact and I'm still sort of speechless. What an amazing story... I guess one animal can make a difference when allowed to.

Monday November 2, 2009, 2:44 am
i wud luv 2 av watched it but 4 sum reason it says its not available in my regoin soz but it liks really gud

Monday November 2, 2009, 3:05 am
This is great and my Grand kids will love it. Thank you Tom

Monday November 2, 2009, 5:13 am
I dont think I have wathched it either. Legend stories are too wonderful and one can learn so much from it. We just have to find the spot in our hearts that makes us the humane people that we are and that is what makes us different from the savages who dont care about other forms of life.

Monday November 2, 2009, 5:20 am
Thanks for sharing this with us Tom.

Monday November 2, 2009, 12:51 pm
Thanks for this story line, unfortunately their are some that do not want to live around animals and they do not understand why they are in their presence in the fist place..but what goes around comes around.
Living with all animals of this Planet is a true Miracle

Monday November 2, 2009, 3:10 pm
I know how it ends and I can't bear to watch how the wolf was shot or his mate die like she did. I do remember Seton saying how she just lay down and died, the wild green light going out of her eyes.

Monday November 2, 2009, 3:35 pm
Looks like I can't watch the video, this is the message I got:

We're sorry but the video is not available in your region due to rights restrictions.

Monday November 2, 2009, 7:41 pm
Thank you for posting this. As a person who has always loved and admired all creatures, especially wolves, I've pleased to now have a chance to get a copy of this.

Monday November 2, 2009, 8:37 pm
Have to find a way to get it on Softword here in Australia but hope to do it as soon as I can find someone to help me find the key. But am looking forward to seeing everything. If I can get a key to softword I should be alright otherwise I'll be having the same problem as Animalib B. However it wouldn't be for lack of trying though.
This is the trouble if you're working between 2 countries. From what I've read sofar it is very good and if I remember correctly. No forget all that it was a beautiful story. My husband came to the rescue and showed me what to do so I read the whole story with tears in my eyes. Good job and well done! I'm glad I got to read it as it was nothing like the film I saw! Neither is the story anything like you remember Kenneth at least going by what you say that is. Whether I'd be able to get the video here I don't know I'll have to find out. But I'm not holding my breath!

Monday November 2, 2009, 9:12 pm
I have never understood mans wanten destructruction of these beautiful creatures.Ignorance has taken its toll on many a species thru the years.Maybe humanity will learn yet.MAYBE.I do hope so.

Monday November 2, 2009, 10:28 pm
The end to this is very sad. Cann't watch. I still don't understand humans want to kill off a species like the wolf. If it keeps up, they will no longer be.
Tks Tom

Tuesday November 3, 2009, 10:17 am
Thannxxx Tom... Oh this is so sad indeed... I just wished that there had been a better outcome for these wolves... one must give him credit in having a change of heart

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 12:37 pm
Wolves are a very misunderstood and beautiful animal.

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 5:53 pm
WE ARE WOLF LOVERS, MY DAUGHTER HAS ALL KINDS OF PICTURES OF WOLVES, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL AND KEEPS THE WILD HERDS HEALTHY, THE KILLING OF FARM ANIMALS IS HARD ON FARMERS BUT, THE ARE JUST TRYING TO FEED THEIR FAMILY. I AM GLAD THAT TOM RESPECTS THEM AND THEIR BEAUTY AND INTELIGENTS.

THANK YOU TOM,

SHELTIE AND DOXIE

Wednesday November 4, 2009, 8:28 pm
THANKS TOM & NICE TO SEE YOU HERE AGAIN, MISSED YA & I LOVE WOLVES.......

Friday November 6, 2009, 3:19 pm
Have to love those wolves. Great story and good to know that Seton never killed another wolf. Of course that doesn't make up for Lobo and his mate but . . . .

Friday November 6, 2009, 4:20 pm
I dont live in USA =( so, I am so sorry that I a was not able to look the videos that was there because of that =(

Friday November 6, 2009, 6:39 pm
laurie,that is so true man just takes and takes and leaves nothing for the ones that were here first,man better start watching his ass,soon there will be nothing left.thanks Tom

Sunday November 8, 2009, 9:14 am
Good story,we forget we the people move to their habitat,so we should expect them to hunt our livestock.
I hope I did not offend anyone,I'm just thinking on a natural base.
Thanks Tom.

Sunday November 15, 2009, 5:01 pm
I remember reading seton's book and I had nightmares. especially how he murdered Lobo's mate and how he used her body to lead him into a trap.
Seton was a penguin of mass distruction (Just a figure of speach not a real penguin) I heard he's changed now.