The Wolf Connection

Wolf Tales is where you'll hear stories from Wolf Connection's staff and volunteers about their experiences. We'll also be speaking with musicians, artists, photographers and videographers about how the wolf has impacted their work. Laurie has been with Wolf Connection for over 3 years as a volunteer and Program Lead. She is also a mindfulness teacher, parent educator and somatic re...

Tom McNamee has authored multiple books, including The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone  & The Killing of Wolf Number Ten. He recently penned a guest essay in the New York Times describing the current wolf hunts in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Tom discussed the ramifications wolf hunts are having economically, socially and ecologically in the western part of the United States. He gave his insi...

Vicente Palacios has been studying Iberian wolves in Spain for over 20 years. We covered several topics related to the wolves in Spain, wolf & human coexistence,  wolf management and ecology, the history of wolves and what the future holds for the species moving forward. Vicente also shared the differences between wolves in Spain and in Yellowstone National Park. Iberian Wolf Howls Wolf Howl V...

Wolf Tales is where you'll hear stories from Wolf Connection's staff and volunteers about their experiences. We'll also be speaking with musicians, artists, photographers and videographers about how the wolf has impacted their work. Matt Thomas has been a volunteer at Wolf Connection since 2016. He is now pursuing his DVM (doctor of veterinary medicine) degree at the WIMU Regional P...

It's our first international episode! Barbara Marti is a PhD student and researcher at the University of Oviedo in Spain. She was part of a study that looked at the acoustic communication of wolves in North America and  Spain. Their research even discovered an interaction between a wolf and two Great Horned Owls in Yellowstone! (Check the description for a link to the audio). Barbara explaine...

Wolf Tales is where you'll hear stories from Wolf Connection's staff and volunteers about their experiences. We'll also be speaking with musicians, artists, photographers and videographers about how the wolf has impacted their work. Morgan Heim is a wildlife photojournalist, filmmaker and adventurer focusing on wildlife-human coexistence. Her goal is to find the beauty, humor and pe...

Wolf Tales is where you'll hear stories from Wolf Connection's staff and volunteers about their experiences. We'll also be speaking with musicians, artists, photographers and videographers about how the wolf has impacted their work. Julie Argyle has been photographing wildlife since she was 8 years old. She has spent many years in and around Yellowstone National Park taking photos a...

Tom Gable is the Project Lead for the Voyageurs Wolf Project based in the Greater Voyageurs Ecosystem in Northern Minnesota. One of their main goals is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the summer ecology of wolves. Tom spoke about the project's overall findings, the wolf & beaver predator-prey relationship within the ecosystem and how their research is providing critical inform...

Wolf Tales is where you'll hear stories from Wolf Connection's staff and volunteers about their experiences. We'll also be speaking with musicians, artists, photographers and videographers about how the wolf has impacted their work. Ted Heistman is an artist who uses clay to make sculptures of animals both past and present. He recently sculpted a wolf, and donated the proceeds to Wo...

Jon T. Coleman is a Professor of History at the University of Notre Dame. He has authored 3 books including Vicious: Wolves and Men in America which documents the fraught relationship between early American settlers and wolves over three centuries. We spoke about his book, the research that went into writing it and the revelations he discovered during the process. Vicious: Wolves and Men in Americ...

Dan Vermillion was the former Montana Fish & Wildlife Commissioner and Chairman for over 10 years. Dan and other former Commissioners penned a guest essay in the Mountain Journal stating their opposition to Montana's current state regulations regarding wolves. He spoke to us about his time as Commissioner, where he believes the divide on wolves is coming from and how Montana got to the pl...

Monica Stahlmann is the author of the children's book Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup  and Regan Downey is the Director of Education for the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, NY. Monica and Regan spoke about the events leading up to the creation of the book, how both are involved with the Wolf Conservation Center and the message they are looking to send with the publication of the book. T...

Jen GaNun is a vocalist and choreographer for the performance group Lost Walks since their inception in 2014. The group is rooted in movement, music, collaboration and conservation. By partnering with wildlife organizations, they are working to raise awareness, empathy and action toward protecting wolves and returning them to Colorado. Jen explained Lost Walks journey as they became advocates for...

Marc Cooke and Kim Bean are the President and Vice President of the non-profit organization Wolves of the Rockies. Since 2011, their mission has been to protect and defend wolves from Yellowstone & the Rocky Mountains while trying to enact positive change for all wolves across the country. Marc and Kim spoke primarily on the wolf hunts in Montana, the steps being taken to reverse recent legisl...

Daniel Curry is a range rider who specializes in human wildlife conflict mitigation using non-lethal methods in northeastern Washington. He started his own business, G.R.I.P.H., which helps wildlife and humans coexist on the landscape. Daniel spoke about his journey to G.R.I.P.H., the wildlife issues that are present in the state of Washington and how he is working to create a balanced approach to...

Bob Hayes studied wolves in the Yukon for nearly 20 years. In 2010 he published his first book, Wolves of the Yukon detailing his research and findings. Bob spoke to us in detail about the studies that were done on the predator/prey relationships in the Yukon, becoming an author and the future of wolves from his perspective. Wolves of the Yukon and the Zhoh Trilogy are available on his website bob...

Afsoon has been with Wolf Connection for just under a year, but has already immersed herself in caring for the pack and assisting with programs. She is constantly looking to gain knowledge to better herself and the team at Wolf Connection. Afsoon has taken incredible pictures of the pack at Wolf Connection which you can find all over her Instagram page! @afsoonerorlater @wolfconnection

Dr. John Vucetich has been working on the Isle Royale Wolf & Moose Project for over 30 years. He is a distinguished Professor at Michigan Technological University where he teaches Wildlife Ecology and Environmental Ethics. We spoke with him about his time working on the Isle Royale project, his thoughts about the Endangered Species Act and the state of wolves in the present day. His new book,...

Podcast host John Calfa recounts the events leading up to volunteering and ultimately working at Wolf Connection. He speaks of the people and wolves that have influenced his journey, as well as exploring the impact of working programs, interacting with different members of the Wolf Connection pack and the creation of the podcast. @calfanation @wolfconnection Wolf Connection

Dr. Mark Johnson is a Wildlife Veterinarian, Instructor, and the Founder & President of Global Wildlife Resources.  Dr. Mark's highest priority is to handle every animal with care, compassion, and respect; while also incorporating those heart-felt values into tools, techniques, and mannerisms. This leads to greater success in the field, better animal care, greater joy in the work being do...

David Ausband is a Wildlife Research Biologist for the U.S. Geological Survey working in Idaho. He has been studying behavioral ecology in predators for over 15 years and teaches at the University of Idaho. David discussed his work as it relates to wolf pack densities, the information he gathers through non-invasive methods and the impact on wolves with increasing trapping and hunting in Idaho. Da...

Pat Jennings has been wolf watching since 2007 and is a staple in the wolf advocacy community. Riding in the 'Wolfmobile', Pat has passed his love of the outdoors to his daughter Kristin, who weaves parts of their adventures into her teaching career. Pat spoke about his journey to becoming an avid wolf watcher and advocate, his visit to Wolf Connection and the bond he and his daughter sh...

Kurt Holtzen is a field advisor for both the Wood River Wolf Project and Lava Lake Lamb which are based in Hailey, Idaho. He is also a Steering Committee Member for the Wood River Wolf Project. Kurt came on to discuss coexistence measures being used with predators for Lava Lake Lamb, his thoughts on Idaho State Bill 1211 and his role for both organizations as a field advisor. Lava Lake Lamb @wilde...

Doris has been with Wolf Connection for 8 years and a 'Lead of Day' for over 5 years. She is always willing to share stories, photos and memories about the wolves and wolf dogs that have graced Wolf Connection over the years. Doris's Instagram page is full of wolf photos she's taken over the years, sharing her own personal touch on the moments that have impacted her life in the...

Wolf Connection's Director of Programs Amanda Beer drops by to talk about the effects COVID-19 had on programs this past year at Wolf Heart Ranch. Amanda discusses the challenges, revelations and perseverance she and the program team went through during those times.  She also updates us on the new programs and curriculums that are coming soon from Wolf Connection! @amandawolfconnection Wolf C...