Wolf Attacks in the United States and Around the World are a Documented
Fact
While many say wolf attacks do not happen unless the wolf is rabid, T.R.
Mader's interesting but chilling information below counters that unwise assertion.
Wolves, mountain lions and coyotes and even black bear are making a successful comeback in many parts of
the United States due in part to the overpopulation of whitetail deer and in part due to federal programs
designed to increase numbers.
Wolves and other predators of deer who are a very important part of the ecological balance can't just have
free range as some would love to see take place.
Why Is That? Their DNA for the majority of wolves tell them to look at humans as food especially in years of
food shortages.
T.R. Mader's information should be viewed as a warning to be very careful when hiking in the woods and
unfortunately walking or working in your own yard in some parts of the United States and around the world.
If your home backs up to a section of woods, never leave your children alone in what you think is a safe
backyard.
Remember, wolves are here to stay as they should be but that doesn't mean you should become lunch
by giving up your right to survive when wolves do on occasion cross the line and attack a human. You are going to
have some wolves try to attack you just like some people will try to attack you.
Stay aware of your surrounding in dealing with animals and with man to be ready to be the one
surviving an attack. Just like you do with people, give the wolves a chance to be good.
Read The Interesting Information On The Following Pages Which We Are
Providing As Facts to Learn From To Help You Or A Loved One Survive
WOLF ATTACKS ON HUMANS
By T. R. Mader, Research Division
It has been widely discussed whether a healthy wild wolf has ever attacked a human on this
continent. In fact, many say such attacks have never occurred in North America. History states otherwise. Although
attacks on humans are uncommon, they have occurred on this continent, both in the early years of settlement and
more recently. Here is one report:
“NEW ROCKFORD, DAK, March 7 - The news has just reached here that a father and son, living several
miles northeast of this city, were destroyed by wolves yesterday. The two unfortunate men started to a haystack
some ten rods from the house to shovel a path around the stack when they were surrounded by wolves and literally
eaten alive. The horror-stricken mother was standing at the window with a babe in her arms, a spectator to the
terrible death of her husband and son, but was unable to aid them. After they had devoured every flesh from the
bones of the men, the denizens of the forest attacked the house, but retired to the hills in a short time.
Investigation found nothing but the bones of the husband and son. The family name was Olson. Wolves are more
numerous and dangerous now than ever before known in North Dakota." (Saint Paul Daily Globe, March 8, 1888)
Here an account is reported which included an eyewitness and the family name. Some have reasoned
the wolves were rabid. That is unlikely as these animals were functioning as a pack. A rabid wolf is a loner. Our
research has never found a single historical account of packs of rabid wolves on this continent. Individual animals
are the norm. Further, accounts of rabid (hydrophobic) animals were common in that day and were reported as
such.
The winters of 1886-1888 were very harsh. Many western ranchers went broke
during these years. The harsh winter could have been a factor in the attack. Noted naturalists documented wolf
attacks on humans. John James Audubon, of whom the Audubon Society is named, reported an attack involving 2
Negroes. He records that the men were traveling through a part of Kentucky near the Ohio border in winter. Due
to the wild animals in the area the men carried axes on their shoulders as a precaution. While traveling
through a heavily forested area, they were attacked by a pack of wolves. Using their axes, they attempted to
fight off the wolves. Both men were knocked to the ground and severely wounded. One man was killed. The other
dropped his axe and escaped up a tree. There he spent the night. The next morning the man climbed down from
the tree. The bones of his friend lay scattered on the snow. Three wolves lay dead. He gathered up the axes
and returned home with the news of the event. This incident occurred about 1830. (Audubon, J.J., and Bachman,
J.; The Quadrupeds of North America, 3 volumes. New York, 1851 - 1854)
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