Finally, an animated film that shows wolves in a more positive light. No doubt this is great for the kids! However, as briefly described in my review of this film, Wolf Preservation separates fact from fiction. Here are the facts:
1. Do wolves howl at the moon? No, just as people thought the earth was flat, many believed wolves primarly howled at the moon.
2. Is it true that only the Alpha male and female howl together? No, the entire wolf pack expresses a complex mixture of gestures, movements, postures, and vocalizations. However, the Alpha’s typically mate only with each other. An Omega has been known to be selected as an Alpha male’s mate, which immediately moved her up the ladder as leader of the pack.
3. Is the Alpha, leader of the pack, responsible for leading the pack in hunts? No, the entire pack works together to hunt. . The film separated wolves into two categories: Alpha and Omega. The Beta, second in command, was not mentioned Betas are typically the fastest runner.
4. Is it dangerous for wolves to hunt caribou? Yes, the film accurately reflects this. Wolves success rate of catching caribou is not very high. Caribou herds have become more alert with wolves present and run quickly. Caribou can use their hooves as blunt weapons, causing bone fractures and even a fatal blow to the head. A younger, less experienced wolf could easily become trampled. This is why younger wolves must learn from more experienced members of the pack. If a pack loses their more experienced members, it can be devastating to the pack’s survival.
5. Is the Omega’s role to break tension among other wolf members? Yes, but it’s not all fun and games. Since Omegas are last in the social hierarchy, they must submit frequently to higher ranking members, often eating last during meals and can be at the brunt of pack aggression Omega’s also assist with babysitting pups. They are still important members of the pack. Wolves clearly mourn the death of any pack member.
The Wolf Preservation Blog 