Well, for my first post here it isn't my intention to stir up any controversy. As you maybe can see by my screen name, I respect and admire wolves. That being said, as the son of a few generations of ranchers, I understand the concern of reintroducing wolves to various regions, the protection of said wolves, and the havoc they can wreak on domestic livestock.
Can't really explain my connection with wolves, as I am from California, but I was raised to respect and accept what God has given us, including what is included in our natural bounty. There is risk in all we do as men, and with that risk there are gains and losses. We took the loss of livestock by natural means as part of a plan that is bigger than us, and still gave thanks for being blessed to live life as keepers of our land. That doesn't mean that predators were not controlled as was necessary, but we lived within the balance that nature demanded.
I understand the loathing of wolves; I have mountain lions at the top of my list of animals that should be thinned out drastically (along with rattlesnakes). When I first saw the photos of the wolves taking on the moose, I thought it was pretty cool. To me, that's balance. But that moose was not my livelihood, nor my favorite horse, or prize bull. And I know that predators, once they have identified a food source, especially domestic livestock, are not going to go away without less-than-friendly persuasion. There's the dilemma: how fine IS that line between the natural order of things and wildlife management?
Which ever side of the wolf issue you may be on, keep in mind that animals of every type are here for a reason, and we, as humans, must keep all life in perspective. I'd hate to see the wholesale slaughter or eradication of wolves take place. I also have no problem with selective control and hunting of predators. We simply have to be responsible in how we manage things.
It's only my opinion, but I think the world would be poorer if the song of the wolf was silenced forever.
Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.