Once a Wolf

About a decade ago wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone National Park. It was an exciting time for those who wanted to protect the gray wolf in the United States. It is still a controversial decision, but we have come a long way from the days when a person could pay his/her taxes in wolf heads. We all know the stories of the big, bad wolf. What happened to change our understanding of the role of the wolf in our habitat? Who were the people who helped us to appreciate the role of the predator and the wonder of the wolf? "Maybe 120 years from now, Yellowstone managers will be able to look back on this project and make some meaningful judgments on the ecological and spiritual consequences of what we've done today. For the moment, all we can do is give ourselves a little credit for having the belated decency to right such a long-standing wrong and pray for puppies," wrote Park historian Paul Schullery on March 22, 1995, as the wolves were released into Yellowstone.