There are many “facts” out there surrounding wolves that simply aren’t true. The entire mythos of the Big Bad Wolf was created by a lot of these so-called facts when, in reality, they are no more accurate than sightings of Santa.
Fairy Tale: Wolves will kill humans if they have the chance.
Fact: In reality, wolves are FAR more scared of humans than we are of them. They are a rare sighting at places like Yellowstone because of how wary they are and how much they prefer to stay away from humans. Over the past 100+ years, there have only been 2 confirmed deaths of humans by wolves whereas, in 2020 alone, there were a total of 46 deaths by domestic dogs in the US alone.
We need to be clear, no one is saying that wolves are not capable of inflicting lethal injuries to humans. What we are saying is that an attack by wolves is far less likely due to their inherently aloof nature. When wolves sense human presence (either by sight or smell), they move away from the perceived threat (humans). Basically, no need to hide your kids, hide your wife, or hide your husband because wolves are not climbing in your windows and snatching your people up.
Fairy Tale: Wolves are disruptive to the ecosystem by killing too many prey animals like deer or elk.
Fact: Wolves have been identified as a keystone species, which means they do have a profound impact on the ecosystem. For example, in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, wolf predation has prevented overgrazing by changing the behaviors of prey animals (including elk). This behavioral change, in addition to the change in numbers, has allowed the ecosystem to thrive.
Wolves provide balance the same way that hunters provide balance for elk and deer. There are currently no active reports that prey animals (deer, elk, etc…) have critical levels of decline or are in danger of needing protection from the hunters (both two and four-legged) who target them.