Wolves and the Environment: Nothing to Howl At

Wolves are not just wild icons. They are vital players in keeping our ecosystem balanced and thriving.

On our recent yoga retreat group visit to Wolf Hollow in Ipswich, MA, our group had a rare chance to observe a pack of North American Grey Wolves. Their magnificent white fur coats, quiet strength and their plaintive howls were unforgettable. One of the more interesting things we learned is how powerfully wolves beneficially impact their environment. When wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 after being wiped out through hunting in the 1930s, their presence transformed the ecosystem.  Wapiti deer stopped grazing in valleys and gorges where wolves could hunt them, which allowed vegetation to regrow. This created food and shelter for a wider range of plants and animals and even positively changed the flow of rivers. As plants returned, riverbanks stabilized, erosion slowed, and channels deepened. One species set off a chain reaction that reshaped the land.

Wolves also help protect against the effects of climate change. A UC Berkeley study in Yellowstone concluded that milder winters led to fewer elk deaths, leaving scavengers like coyotes and ravens scrambling for food. Where wolves were present, their hunting helped maintain balance and keep the ecosystem healthy.

For centuries, wolves have been feared and misunderstood. In reality, they are quiet stewards of the wild, helping keep nature in balance simply by being part of it. When wolves howl, they remind us that balance in nature is built on connection.