Posted by Ranger Sally (165.83.4.188) on March 15, 2002 at 17:50:56:
In Reply to: Re: wolf prey posted by Ranger Sally on March 15, 2002 at 11:22:30:
: : Why don't wolves prey on humans? Without weapons we'd be pretty vulnerable. Bears and Mountain Lions will attack humans, so why don't wolves? And are there any other species of animal that wolves will not prey on?
: Thanks for your question, Peg! I just attended a Parent-Teacher Meeting last night at Yellowstone Park's Elementary School. A couple of the best wolf biologists in the country were speaking to the local community because wolves have been spotted near the park's housing area and elementary school. Many parents wanted to know exactly what you are asking. For some reason (and this seems to be a great mystery), wolves are terrified of humans. In fact, there has NEVER been a single person killed by a healthy wolf in the lower 48 states and even attacks are EXTREMELY rare. Wolves are very intelligent and curious, but they tend to avoid people at all costs. Even when dealing with captive wolves in pens, the wolves have tended to shy away from people rather than attack! The main danger of a person being attacked by a wolf comes when a wolf becomes "habituated" or used to contact with humans. This might happen if people try to feed a wolf-just like it does when people try to feed bears, or any other wild animal. Wolves differ from a large predator like a cougar because cougars hunt in a different style. Cougars stalk their prey and a person would probably never see the cougar prior to being attacked. Wolves make their presence known, communicate readily with other pack members and for some reason, signal the message that humans are to be avoided! (It's also important to note that animals like cougars or bears will seldom attack people unless they are threatened in some way or believe that they are protecting their young). The best way to avoid being attacked if you are confronted by a wolf is to NOT run away-to stand tall, act dominant and yell. When even the chosen prey of the wolf, the elk, makes a stand rather than running, the wolf will often give up the attack on that particular animal. Wolves are very selective hunters and seldom kill unless they plan to eat. To make eating a little easier, they select animals that are very young, old or sick/injured. They are not prone to attacking animals like bears (which are more dominant) or even smaller animals like pronghorn antelope (although they probably would if really pressed). Wolves have been given a very bad reputation as aggressive, threatening animals, but actually (at least where humans are concerned)they are very shy. A person here in Yellowstone has a far greater chance of being injured by a bison than by being injured by a wolf!