Nathan Varley, Symbiosis Wildlife Consulting, PO Box
490, Gardiner, MT 59030, USA
The reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National
Park has commonly been hailed as one of the greatest conservation
efforts of the century. Five years into the effort a recovered
population, though unofficially, and numerous scientific advances
in the study of wild gray wolves has been realized. Several
advances in the realm of conservation activism have also evolved
from the popularity of the event evident both before and after
the translocation of wolves. The conservation community contemplates
this triumph in terms of its many lessons learned in addition
to the potential it holds for the future.
The quick response of the endangered wolf to flourish in a
wild ecosystem while providing for the observer an opportunity
to witness the day to day ecological drama have spawned among
people, a cultural following. Wolf-watching has increasingly
become a pastime of the ecologically conscious park visitor
to the extent that the dissemination of such information is
in demand. To cope with demands, conservation groups and individuals
have pivoted in their position to function not only as advocates
for wolves but also as sources of information about wolves.
Sharing the responsibility as a source of information with government
agencies has led to the rapid coupling of successful public-private
partnerships; as well as, widespread public support for research.
While this approach is not unprecedented in the history of
conservation, its success as a national campaign has been less
than fulfilled. While informational outlets including radio,
television, and print have proved useful, the internet has provided
a rapid flow that garners a large, daily audience. Dissemination
of all types of information occurs on the web, though one type
has been surprisingly intriguing: stories about the wolves themselves.
Biographical information on individuals or packs appears to
have captured the hearts and minds of the mainstream. To explain
this fascination, one might review the cumulative folklore of
the ages.
This innovative, modern-day folklore approach to conservation
fund-raising varies from most crisis-motivated strategies by
fostering a loyal relationship between users and producers.
It also presents an educational stage upon which the lessons
of ecology and conservation biology are taught. By sustaining
long-term interest in the Yellowstone wolves through providing
this kind of information and education, conservationists gain
commitment and credibility that extends to untapped segments
of society. Who do we have to thank? The wolves.
Beyond 2000: