The Daily Planet #25: Coyotes, Dingoes and Wolves

It's both incredible and utterly predictable that our views about wolves and coyotes come bundled as Democrat or Republican, with wolves having a better chance of a good life in California than in Idaho. We should hope that planetarity will help us shed our partisan identities, but perhaps it will be the exact opposite: there will be a Red Planet and a Blue Planet.

Coyotes, dingoes, and wolves share close kinship with domestic dogs, exhibiting intelligence, emotional depth, and complex social behaviors. Yet, unlike our beloved pets, these wild canines often face persecution, cruelty, and widespread killing. Coyotes in the US, for example, are hunted in vast numbers--sometimes for sport or livestock protection--despite their ability to thrive even in urban environments. Dingoes in Australia, apex predators vital for ecological balance, are similarly targeted, disrupting their social structures and diminishing their natural roles in controlling invasive species like foxes and cats. Wolves, once nearly exterminated, have seen population recoveries but remain embroiled in contentious debates over hunting and management, often reflecting deeper societal and political divides.

This disparity in treatment stems from entrenched human attitudes and wildlife management models that prioritize species populations over individual animal welfare. While domestic dogs are cherished family members, their wild relatives are frequently viewed as pests or resources to be controlled. Emerging perspectives advocate for compassionate conservation, recognizing these animals as sentient individuals deserving respect and coexistence. Some propose political representation for animal interests to balance hunting traditions with ethical considerations. Ultimately, treating wild canines with the same empathy as domestic dogs challenges us to rethink our relationship with nature, fostering a more just and sustainable coexistence that honors both ecological roles and moral responsibilities.

Why aren’t coyotes, dingoes and wolves treated like our dogs? | Aeon Essays

Coyotes, dingoes and wolves are all dogs, as intelligent and loyal as our familiars. Our treatment of them is unconscionable