The History of Wolves in Arizona - Ian Weber
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Ian Weber, a wolf conservationist from Southern Arizona, joined me to discuss the history of wolves in Arizona. We discussed their extirpation from the state and then their reintroduction back into the state in 1998. The reintroduction of the Mexican Grey Wolf into Arizona/New Mexico has been one of the great success stories of predator reintroduction in the country, despite the continued pushback from poachers, ranchers and even state officials. With the wolf back into the web of life in eastern AZ the ecosystem can return to balance as these predators serve a distinct purpose in pushing deer and elk herds to not overgraze. This was a fascinating discussion where I learned a great deal from Ian's expertise on a subject that is his lifelong passion. Wolves were in Arizona long before human beings arrived and they deserve the chance to coexist with us for many generations to come.
Arizona Game and Fish 2020 Report on the Mexican Grey Wolf Recovery Program:
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I agree with Ian that killing something just because you can is disgusting (when he was referring to poachers) but that's why I'm a vegetarian. I have a hard time understanding people who aren't. Can you explain how you support protecting wild animals but can still eat meat? Do you think it's different because people raised livestock with the intention to kill them. To me that sounds disgusting too.
I want to support absolutely any efforts by any person to protect and reduce the suffering of any animals though so I'm here watching all your videos and making comments to increase your engagement and help you with the UA-cam algorithm. Keep fighting for animals in any way you can! 💜
You don't realize how many animals die and suffer to cultivate the fields that v your food is grown on?
You need to grow up.
I live with a 1/2 Arctic Wolf and I've never known any creature, not even a human who loved as hard. They are ride or die for their families more than any species I've ever known. Obviously they're all individuals but my boy is shy and sweet and incredibly loving. I have no fear of wolves. Although I like the idea of bringing back wolves in reality it scares me because it brings the potential back for humans to inflict more suffering on them again.
BTW, Ian's teacher is absolutely horrible. She shouldn't have been able to be a teacher. You should track her down as an adult and tell her that discouraging empathy in children is absolutely disgusting. She is an embarrassment. I'm glad Ian didn't let her influence him. I'm a vegetarian and rescue animals because I respect the self-interest of all sentient beings.
Terrific video… the seminal blow my mind moment, was when you pointed out we can help climate change by reintroducing the grey wolf. Most think electric cars and less fossil fuel usage and problem solved; not so fast buckwheat! Your Tesla helps, but does nothing to stop the heat reflection from wild herbivores in our open lands. That picture showing the difference wolf reintroduction made to the same section of wild forest was absolutely powerful… vast heat sinks of overgrazed mountains and high desert healed, by helping restore Mother Nature’s original environmentalist’s, the predators, back to do what they were created to do: help maintain a healthy balance…
I'm all for wildlife and think predators have a right to life... I was charged by a bear near happyjack,az this passed summer, luckily my dogs chased it off ... just want to say , Be very careful what you wish for! Wolves will kill you! Bears will kill you! I wasn't armed partly because I was mountain biking but I am armed 98 percent of the time I'm in the wilds now.
:) nice video, perhaps you could do prehistoric Arizona or the history of the Navajo next?
Good ideas. Thanks for the suggestions
I saw a lynx near San Francisco peaks in 97. Great videos
Are you sure it wasn’t a Bobcat? Pretty sweet if you really spotted one because they’re not known to live in AZ but you never know when rogue males might be extending the range. Thanks for the love Steve.
No. Definitely a lynx it was right after the reintroduced them in Colorado. One of them had wandered as far as California even. Forest service thought I was wrong too. My buddy saw it too. He was probably 3.5 feet White with patterens The thing that really stuck in my mind was t he long legs
Can you explain what you mean by a "spiritual kind of hunting" (vs a gamesman sort of thing)? I've heard of other hunters, especially bow hunters, claim hunting was "spiritual" but all killing of animals is abhorent to a lifelong vegetarian like me so I don't understand what they're talking about. Thank you very much! I appreciate your channel 😊
As the video continues I'm only a few minutes in and hearing things I never knew about: People used to sacrifice dogs at their temples?! OMG the human species can be absolutely horrific! 😳 That was really depressing and disappointing to hear but I always appreciate knowing the truth. People (not all people, but the majority) never cease to amaze me with their stupidity and malevolence. Humans intentionally introduced mange into wolf populations many years ago. Causing an animal to become incredibly itchy to the point of tearing its own hair out and having its fur fall out while living in sub freezing temperatures is evil. I'm so ashamed of people sometimes.
Why is it that some folks on here don't pronounce Coues deer properly? It is not pronounced "coos" deer but sounds like "cows" deer. BTW the man who started the whole bring wolves back/protect the wolves was a government trapper and hunter but he understood the whole concept of apex predators. His name is Aldo Leopold and he was a hunter until the day he died. You alienate your hunters, you loose hunters, you loose most of the funding for all wildlife. I am a pro-apex predator type of guy, and all for the reintroduction of all apex predators however, I am also a hunter and former predator trapper. You want Arizona wild, it won't be kept wild by a bunch of city people who hike every now and then, but it will be the hunters and outdoors people who do it.
You lost me when you threw Christians under the bus. You had to get that in there... 🙄
Do you remember which part of the interview that is brought up? I can't remember and it's been a minute since I reviewed the interview.
@@keeparizonawild156 I’ll let you know! I liked the video a lot, but that felt like a cheap shot.
@@MrStuDubb I wasn't throwing Christians under the bus sir, it is just a simple fact of cultural history that wolves (and serpents, for that matter) are particularly demonized in Christian folklore. This existed before in pagan Europe (Germanic Wargs being a notable example), but reached fever pitch when wolves and other creatures disdained by civil society were equated or associated with the devil. Can you name another animal species that has had regular cullings and genocides targeting it simply for it's existence? I cannot, not to the degree and intensity that wolves have faced. Even the near extinction of the Bison was for commercial reasons.
The grizzly video was great. There was plenty of HISTORY. This wolf “history “ is just two guys talking and talking and talking. I want history.
We have lost 3 head cattle and 1 horse to wolfs in a 2 month span... what say you, we do... ?
I’m sorry to hear about your livestock. May I ask what kind of deterrent strategies do you use to keep wolves away? Do you own protective dogs? I’m genuinely asking
Hire more cowboys to ride the range and sing songs to the dogies.
You leaving your property(cows) in the wide open and expect them to be safe? That's like leaving your keys in your car and wondering why someone stole it? Get some protective cattle dogs, motion cameras, and run your cattle.
I'm sure you know better than most! Cattle dogs won't help?
@@smooth247fyi "get some blue healers to chase v the wolves off" ... this whole thread is pure comedy none of you have any idea what you're b talking about is all regurgitated propaganda based on your infantile "feelings".
Is there Grizzlies still left in Mexico?
None in the wild and only in zoos. Colorado and Utah are the southern most sitings as far as I know but they’re true southern most range is Washington, Idaho and Montana
SSS a poacher