About Wolves
As a keystone species, the gray wolf plays an essential role in maintaining healthy, biologically diverse wild ecosystems.
Yet, wolves have faced centuries of persecution in the Unites States. Wolves and wolf pups were shot, trapped, poisoned, strangled, bludgeoned, dug from their dens, and tracked with dogs until the howls of these wilderness icons were silenced across 99% of their ancestral lands.
It took a change in government policy to rescue gray wolves from the brink of extinction. But, the passage of anti-wolf laws over the past decade has turned the clock back. Trophy hunters armed with the latest technology and are turning wilderness areas—held in public trust for all of us—into killing fields.
The very wolf populations our nation worked so hard to restore are again being destroyed. Fortunately, people across America respect wolves' rightful place in nature. We are determined to change laws and stop the killing.
"The Mollie's pack was just off the road in an opening from the trees. We stopped the car and shut off the engine and were awarded to ten minutes of solace with the pack all to ourselves. They treated us to several howls that cut into the cold silence of the morning, you could see the cold air on their breath. This is a parting glance of the last wolf as he walked back into the trees. It pierced through me and started a long pursuit of fascination and respect for these animals and all of Yellowstone."
~Nathan Hobbs; Nov. 4th, 2007 at 8:39 am.
Wolf Wisdom
Explore to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of gray wolves.
The wolf is our Brother
Revered and reviled, a tale of two cultures... the story of Brother Wolf
Wolves are not a threat
The Big Bad Wolf is a myth, it's time we separate fact from fiction.
Wolves are a lot like humans and dogs
A wolf pack consists of a dominant male and female breeding pair who typically mate for life and are referred to as alphas or leaders.
The Historic Return of Wolves
After gray wolves were hunted to near extinction in the lower forty-eight states, the species was listed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973.
Delisting
From federally protected to legally hunted — wolves in the crosshairs.
Trophy killing
Hunters kill wolves for sport, not for food. How can this possibly be legal?
Yellowstone Wolves
Learn about the unprecedented killing of world-renowned Yellowstone wolves.
Ecosystem stewards
Since wolves were reintroduced to the American West in 1995-96, research has shown that their presence has helped revitalize and restore ecosystems.
Predator prey relationship
Wolves help keep prey populations healthy and limit the spread of disease.
Coexistence
It is possible for ranchers to coexist peacefully with wild wolves, but many choose not to.
Where are the wolves?
Wolves once roamed freely across most of North America, numbering in the millions. Today, their populations are just a fraction of what they were and they live in isolated pockets.
Once widespread across America, wolves faced near eradication by the early 20th century due to relentless hunting and habitat loss. Endangered Species Act protections, along with successful reintroduction programs, have facilitated their comeback to the American wilderness.
Today, gray wolves roam the northern Rocky Mountains, the western Great Lakes, and the Pacific Northwest, reaching down to California, with a newly reintroduced group in Colorado.
Arizona and New Mexico are home to small population of Mexican gray wolves, while the critically endangered red wolves in North Carolina remain perilously close to extinction.
Despite this progress, wolves still occupy just a fraction of their historic range in the U.S. Join the efforts to uphold strong protections for wolves, and help ensure their recovery story continues.
Wolf packs are families
Observing wild wolves in Yellowstone reveals their deep family bonds, rich emotional lives, and strong connections, much like those in human families. Far from the villains of fairy tales, the love of parents, playfulness of siblings, and unity of the pack show that wolves truly deserve our compassion, respect, and protection.
Be a wolf warrior!
Within the safe haven of Yellowstone National Park, wolves are protected and have an average lifespan of 4 to 5 years. Yet, once they step beyond the park's invisible boundaries, they face the dire threats of trophy hunting and trapping, which reduce their average lifespan to just 2 to 3 years.
Surviving in the wild is tough enough for wolves without human threats. A mere few feet outside the park can mean the difference between life and death, especially when wolves are lured across that invisible line by baiting.
If you believe that wolves deserve to live freely, untouched by human interference, then join our movement.
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Video credit: With heartfelt gratitude to Wild Love Images - Howl For Life and Julie Argyle Wildlife Photography, as well as Leo Leckie and Stephen Rivera from Wolf Connection, for their collaboration and sharing this incredible footage.
Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree
The 06 Legacy supports the largest and most unique family tree on ancestry.com, featuring the genealogy and life stories of over 1,300 Yellowstone wolves! This comprehensive resource is a free public service. We invite you to immerse yourself in the wild, whether you're a veteran wolf watcher or are exploring the world of these remarkable animals for the first time. Teachers, researchers and wolf fans everywhere are welcome.
Imagine a family tree that shows the relationships of generation upon generation of Yellowstone wolves beginning with their reintroduction in 1995. Add the life story and lineage of every individual; the pups, the outcasts, the master elk hunters, the leaders, and the challengers. This is the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree: digital, enormous in scope, and the first of its kind in the world! You'll find all the past and present Yellowstone packs and their members — the most famous population of wolves on the planet — in the Yellowstone Wolf Genealogy Project and its new online version of the Canis lupus family tree.
To become a guest of the tree and acquire free access, go to the Yellowstone Wolf Family Tree and follow the instructions to receive an invitation. After becoming a guest, you can also download the Ancestry App to view the tree on your mobile devices! Funding from The 06 Legacy ensures this invaluable project remains comprehensive and accurate.
The 06 Legacy is a 501(C)(4) nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting America's gray wolves.
