Even with protections, wolves still fear humans

The article discusses a study that examined the fear response of European wolves to human presence. The study found that wolves flee human interaction faster than they react to the sound of dogs barking. This suggests that despite legal protections, wolves still maintain a strong fear response towards humans. The researchers used various stimuli, including recordings of human conversation and dog barking, to assess the wolves' reactions. They observed that the wolves displayed a more pronounced flight response when exposed to human conversation compared to the dog barking. This indicates that wolves have retained a deep-rooted fear of humans, even in areas where they are legally protected. The findings of this study highlight the ongoing challenges faced by wolves in coexisting with human populations, even in regions where their conservation is prioritized. The article suggests that this fear response may be an evolutionary adaptation that has helped wolves survive in the face of human-induced threats, such as hunting and habitat destruction.