Save the Gray wolf

Did you know the gray wolf is an endangered species here in Colorado? Today we will be covering not only how things we do everyday affect the wolf, But other species too. This is a bigger problem than you think, lets dive in.

Number 1: Climate change

Climate change affects the wolf because it changes the habitat they have adapted to and makes it hard to survive. Another reason why it affects the wolf is because many animals may leave the habitat and force the wolf to move because of lack of food. Some activities we do release harmful greenhouse gasses that sometimes harm the wolf or other animals. Even if the wolf survived, there wouldn't be enough food to keep surviving. This explanation is kind of over-exaggerated but this does happen quite frequently. Some of the causes of greenhouse gasses are Methane and Mining.

Number 2: Temperature increases

Temperature increases affect the wolf because it may change their habitat in ways of such melting snow or ice and making it hard for them to blend in. Another way that it could affect the wolf is overheating, A wolf could get too hot in its coat such as dogs overheat in cars. A third reason it could affect the wolf is not having enough food because their prey may die because of the heat or the cold.

Number 3: Pesticides

Pesticides affect the wolf because it poisons smaller organisms that the wolf may use for food. While this does not affect the wolf directly, Pesticides can get into the air from farms, travel miles away and a wolf could breath it in. Also, Eating Large amounts of species that use grass and/or plants that pesticides are sprayed may cause health issues for the wolf in the future, If the wolf or any other animal eats/consumes pesticides it could be deadly to the animal, Especially if that animal is the one that the pesticide is targeted at. Talking the wolf specifically, Some harm it could do is change the wolfs appetite, Making it hard to consume food, Causing liver of kidney problems or even death. If you use them, It is important that you don’t use pesticides in a area that wildlife consumes the thing you are putting the pesticides on, and if possible, stop using them.

Number 4: Water quality

Water quality affects the wolf because it is the water they are drinking. If the water is polluted, It could cause harm to the wolf drinking it. Some examples of how this would happen is that the wolf might be used to drinking from a certain pond or stream. One day they take a drink without looking to see if it is polluted or not. The next day the wolf doesn’t have a appetite for food, Have liver, kidney or another digestive problems and/or are weak because of the polluted water it drank. A example of something that might happen next could be that the wolf is too weak to fight so it gets kicked out of the pack. Or The wolf could even die. It is important to not pollute water because every day a animal dies or gets sick because of this ongoing problem.

All of this can be prevented by changing how your life operates day to day. You can help the wolf not be endangered by not littering, not polluting water, not mining harmful materials that release greenhouse gasses and not using pesticides. Doing these 4 actions can not only help protect the wolf, but many other endangered species. You don’t even have to be in colorado, This situation exists almost everywhere in the world! Go help the world be a better place today.

Helping the gray wolf