In countries throughout the world, the wolf is regarded with respect. Known for their intelligence, cunning, and family-oriented ways, wolves appear regularly in heraldry, especially in Poland, Spain, and Finland.

That renown makes the species a fixture of pop culture. Perhaps the most famous example(s) from recent times are the six dire wolves featured in Game of Thrones, as guardians of the Stark family. The House Stark has a grey dire wolf on its coat of arms.

iGaming has a fondness for lupines, too. The Wolf It Up! Christmas slot stars a merrily-clad wolf as its protagonist, complete with a snowy wilderness theme. Wearing a Santa hat, the wolf appears on the reels alongside stockings and gingerbread houses. This particular example is something of an anomaly in popular culture, for wolves are most often associated with predation, vicious instincts and horror, but here we are reminded that there’s more too them than that, having their gentler side as well. This is something more people ought to bear in mind if the environmental initiatives surrounding wolves are to be a success.

Biodiversity

Wolves – grey wolves in particular – are a difficult topic in environmental circles. On the one hand, they’re often reintroduced to former habitats to alter biodiversity, changing the behaviour of herbivores like deer and even influencing tree growth. Yet, in doing so, they can become quite the menace. Strong populations can intrude on farmland and harm livestock.

Overall, the grey wolf is simultaneously protected in 44 US states and the focus of a recent discussions to delist the species for population control. Simply keeping the grey wolf on the Endangered Species List costs $200,000 per year – plus $75,000 to compensate for any damage the canines cause.

It’s hard to consider the wolf truly safe from extinction, however. The species occupies just a fraction – 10% – of its former range in the United States. For tourists, seeing them in their natural environment can be a challenge.

Wolf-tracking

The Responsible Travel website lists just six locations worldwide for wolf-tracking holidays. These are the US and Canada, France, Poland, Slovakia, and Sweden. Wolves are commonly found in wilderness areas, amid ancient forests and jagged peaks – away from areas of human population.