Changes

Attempts were made in the 1930s and thereafter to eliminate these animals as pests in the United States, particularly in [[Yellowstone National Park]], where it had been considered that stray wolves regularly fed upon livestock.  By the time they were included in the ''Red Data Book'' in 1973, they were severely restricted in range throughout North America and Europe, and classified as an endangered species.   

Attempts were made in the 1930s and thereafter to eliminate these animals as pests in the United States, particularly in [[Yellowstone National Park]], where it had been considered that stray wolves regularly fed upon livestock.  By the time they were included in the ''Red Data Book'' in 1973, they were severely restricted in range throughout North America and Europe, and classified as an endangered species.   

Currently, [[Alaska]] is the only state that permits control of wolf populations, due to the prolific reproduction rates in that isolated [[Arctic]] area.  Under the current policy, it is legal to shoot wolves from low flying airplanes, due to the state's very limited roads. Wolves and bears are very effective and efficient predators of caribou, moose, deer and other wildlife. In most of Alaska, humans also rely on the same species for food. In Alaska's Interior, predators kill more than 80% of the moose and caribou that die during an average year, while humans kill less than 10 percent. In most of the state, predation holds prey populations at levels far below what could be supported by the habitat in the area. Predation is an important part of the ecosystem, and all Alaska Department of Fish and Game wolf management programs, including control programs, are designed to sustain wolf populations in the future.  Currently (2009), five wolf control programs are underway that comprises about 9.4% of Alaska's total land area. <ref>[http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wolf.control Wolf Control in Alaska; Alaska Dept. of Wildlife Conservation]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=control.predator_prey] Overview of Relationships Between Bears, Wolves, and Moose in Alaska</ref>

Currently, [[Alaska]] is the only state that permits control of wolf populations, due to the prolific reproduction rates in that isolated [[Arctic]] area.  Under the current policy, it is legal to shoot wolves from low flying airplanes, due to the state's very limited roads. Wolves and bears are very effective and efficient predators of caribou, moose, deer and other wildlife. In most of Alaska, humans also rely on the same species for food. In Alaska's Interior, predators kill more than 80% of the moose and caribou that die during an average year, while humans kill less than 10 percent. In most of the state, predation holds prey populations at levels far below what could be supported by the habitat in the area. Predation is an important part of the ecosystem, and all Alaska Department of Fish and Game wolf management programs, including control programs, are designed to sustain wolf populations in the future.  Currently (2009), five wolf control programs are underway that comprises about 9.4% of Alaska's total land area. <ref>[http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wolf.control Wolf Control in Alaska; Alaska Dept. of Wildlife Conservation]</ref> <ref>[http://www.wildlife.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=control.predator_prey Overview of Relationships Between Bears, Wolves, and Moose in Alaska]</ref>

====Perceptions of Wolves====

====Perceptions of Wolves====