The wolf as a keystone for expanded conservation initiatives

J. Henry Fair Corneilia Hutt, International Wolf Center Board of Directors, surrounded by IUCN wolf specialists (left to right): Iyad Nader, Christoph Promberger, Anders Bjarvall, Yadvendradev Jhala, and Luigi Boitani.

Corneilia Hutt, Nancy Ellen Gibson, International Wolf Center, 1396 Highway 169, Ely, MN 55731, USA; L. David Mech, U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 8711 37th Street Southeast, Jamestown, ND 58401, USA

As the gray wolf (Canis lupus) steps closer to recovery levels, wolf groups, advocates and biologists need to expand their focus to the bigger issues of wild lands conservation. The wolf is the poster child of the Endangered Species Act, and its appeal should be used to nurture the larger issues facing acquisition, restoration of suitable land to insure the animals' long-term survival. Wolf conservation and education efforts have involved numerous organizations, books, artworks and even howling cookie jars. Strong commonalities exist among wolf supporters. Individuals and groups need to advance their causes by using the wolf as a motivator for larger conservation efforts. Conserving public lands for wolves will provide habitat for its wild prey thus reducing the conflict with livestock. The wolf is an engineer of biodiversity providing food for a long list of other interesting carnivores and scavenger species. The wolf will survive best where there is wilderness. Wolf supporters should strive for a greater goal by shifting their endeavors to habitat preservation, by donating to land groups, and staying active in legislative decisions affecting wilderness.