Wolves play an essential role in maintaining ecosystem health and their presence or absence can have cascading effects on the diversity and abundance of many other plant and animal species. For instance, their hunting helps keep deer and elk populations healthy, and the carcasses wolves leave behind are an important food source for scavenging species, such as eagles and bears. An abundance of scientific research shows that the absence of wolves reduces ecosystem function and resilience, and alters prey behavior and community composition. Learn more about why wolves are an important part of our ecosystem and how Defenders is working to protect them in our storymap!
