A Project of Sage Steppe Wild
Gordon Haber feared dead. By Craig Medred. Alaska Dispatch.
“Biologist Gordon Haber loved wolves. Most of all, he loved the wolves of the Toklat pack in Denali National Park, and it now it appears that love has cost him his life.”
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Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University. He was a Western Watersheds Project Board Member off and on for many years, and was also its President for several years. For a long time he produced Ralph Maughan’s Wolf Report. He was a founder of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He and Jackie Johnson Maughan wrote three editions of “Hiking Idaho.” He also wrote “Beyond the Tetons” and “Backpacking Wyoming’s Teton and Washakie Wilderness.” He created and is the administrator of The Wildlife News.
Comments
Very sad news, even more so for the Denali wolves.
I wrote about this to Ralph late last night when I found it. It’s an immense tragedy, especially for the wolves of Alaska, who have lost a stalwart champion- something they so sorely need.
Gordon sounded like my sort of guy. The only thing I would differ, as told by the press release, is that game animals have culture also …just like wolves do. None should be manged the way state G&F and the feds do. It is so dark ages and the biologists and hunters that promote and defend this archaic supremist view of inferior life are in the same class as what Gordon fought against. it is too bad he is gone. But it does sound like what I adher to,”A fine time was had by all”.
This is a huge loss and very sad. A good man and wolf champion gone.
Sad. At least he died doing what he loved. Just like a wolf who died fighting other pack instead of being killed by a hunter.
Nabeki,
I vistied your blog. Great blog.
izabelam,
Thank you. I’m trying to give back to the wolves, they’ve given me so much!
Truly sad. I hope there is someone just as superior as he to pick up the pieces.
Gordon did what no one else does. Now we must continue his work, as he continued the work of Murie with Denali’s wolves. The wolves, Alaska, all of us have lost a man who truly lived his beliefs, every single day. The world needs more scientists like him, who are independent, fearless, unafraid to speak out about what they have learned from the animals they study – unafraid to advocate for them. We need more Gordons, and we need them now.
Agreed Marybeth! Alaska’s Wolves have lost an Angel…Rest well Mr. Haber…
It’s those who would deny that social animals can have “culture” that are in the wrong.
“According to the Webster’s dictionary definition of culture, learning and transmission are the two main components of culture, specifically referencing tool making and the ability to acquire behaviors that will enhance one’s quality of life.[9] Using this definition it is possible to conclude that animals are just as likely to adapt to cultural behaviors as humans. One of the first signs of culture in early humans was the utilization of tools. Chimpanzees have been observed using tools such as rocks and sticks to obtain better access to food.[9] There are other learned activities that have been exhibited by animals as well. Some examples of these activities that have been shown by varied animals are opening oysters, swimming, washing of food, and unsealing tin lids.[9] This acquisition and sharing of behaviors correlates directly to the existence of memes. It especially reinforces the natural selection component, seeing as these actions employed by animals are all mechanisms for making their lives easier, and therefore longer.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_culture
I have met Haber briefly at a wolf conferce a few years ago. I admired his work and his fight for the Alaskan wolves and especially for the Toklat wolves. At least he died near his beloved wolves and at the place he loved the most.
My sympathies are with his family and with Friends of Animals who have lost a true “friend” of wolves.
I dislike the author in the Alaska Dispatch that used misfortune to throw dirt on the mans life.
This article is a great showcase of what Gordon spent a life time working at.
http://www.backpacker.com/dogs_of_war_the_battle_over_denalis_toklat_wolf_pack/nature/12719
The pilot survived the crash and walked 21 miles with 2nd and 3rd degree burns to find someone to rescue him.