Narumi Nambu presented with Who Speaks for Wolf Award at International Wolf Symposium
Tireless advocate for wolves in Japan accepts award before her peers and heroes
Contact:
Chad Richardson, communications director
International Wolf Center
Office: 763-560-7374, ext. 225
[email protected]
For Immediate Release – January 17, 2019
It was clear to the entire audience that Narumi Nambu had just received the surprise of her life.
In a packed hotel ballroom in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA during the International Wolf Symposium, Nambu had just been named the recipient of the Who Speaks for Wolf Award presented by the International Wolf Center.
As she walked toward the stage to accept the award, Nambu’s hands covered her mouth in excitement. “I thought it was a mistake when I heard my name, especially since Japan has not approached the world level of wolf conservation,” she said. “Because my country no longer has any wolves, it can only take from the world but cannot reciprocate”
Nambu earned the award for her work with the Japan Wolf Association. She’s an active member of the association, which aims to have wolves reintroduced in Japan. Nambu has translated multiple wolf books into Japanese, researches Japanese attitudes about wolves and their possible reintroduction there, speaks at conferences and publishes in a variety of forums.
“There were many researchers and educators from all over the world at the symposium,” Nambu said. “I was walking on air when I could speak and talk directly with these people. There were many experiences and ways to learn at the conference other than from formal papers about human and wolf society. At the banquet many of my heroes were gathered.”
Dr. L. David Mech, the founder of the International Wolf Center, had this to say about Nambu’s efforts: “I have known Narumi since the Center’s 2013 International Wolf Symposium, and she is one of the most passionate and enthusiastic supporters of wolf reintroduction into Japan.”
This is the first time in International Wolf Center history that the Who Speaks for Wolf Award has been given to a recipient from Asia. The Center’s Executive Director, Rob Schultz, was thrilled to see Nambu earn the award.
“Narumi’s efforts in Japan illustrate that wolves across the world play a vital role in our ecosystems,” he said. “The work she’s doing there is all too familiar to those who have done similar work in North America. We’re honored to present her with this award and thrilled to celebrate her success in front of her peers.”
The Japan Wolf Association (JWA) was formed in 1993. The JWA estimates that animals with no natural predators left in Japan, mostly sika deer and wild boar, have caused the equivalent of $1.8 billion in agricultural and forestry damage to date.
Preserving the environment for future generations in Japan motivates Nambu to continue her efforts for wolf reintroduction.
“I love my own country, Japan,” she said. “I want to leave the nature of Japan in a beautiful condition for the next generation. In biology I learned that wolves are important in nature. But Japanese society must learn how to relate with wild animals. I believe that connects with the happiness of people in the future.”
Nambu was quick to point out that she’s one small part of a big organization working hard at reintroducing wolves in Japan.
“More than me, there are other people in Japan who have worked longer and harder for wolf reintroduction—for example, Dr. Naoki Maruyama, leader of the Japan Wolf Association, along with my husband, Hiroshi Asakura, and local wolf educators,” she said. “This award is not only for me but for all of them, as well. I hope to be only the representative. This award is not like the goal tape at the end of a race, but instead it is the starter gun.”
The annual “Who Speaks for Wolf” award is given by the International Wolf Center to an individual, who has made exceptional contributions to wolf education, by teaching people how the wolf lives and by placing the wolf in the broader context of humankind’s relationship to nature.
# # #
THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER, founded in 1985, is known worldwide as the premier source for wolf information and education. The mission of the Center is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.
The Center educates through its website, its ambassador wolves, museumexhibits, educational outreach programs, International Wolf magazine, and a beautiful interpretive center in Ely, Minnesota.
Did someone kill the Shasta Pack, California’s mysterious wolf family?
From the Sacramento Bee:
Nearly four years ago in the forests of California’s rugged northeast corner, two black and brown wolves had a litter of five pups in the shadow of Mount Shasta.
They became known as the Shasta Pack – the first known gray wolves to have offspring on California soil in nearly a century. The pups, shown frolicking in camera footage released by state wildlife officials, became a statewide sensation, even as local ranchers bristled at the new threat to their cattle.
Click here for the full story.
Narumi Nambu presented with Who Speaks for Wolf Award at International Wolf Symposium
Narumi Nambu presented with Who Speaks for Wolf Award at International Wolf Symposium
Tireless advocate for wolves in Japan accepts award before her peers and heroes
Contact:
Chad Richardson, communications director
International Wolf Center
Office: 763-560-7374, ext. 225
[email protected]
For Immediate Release – January 17, 2019
It was clear to the entire audience that Narumi Nambu had just received the surprise of her life.
In a packed hotel ballroom in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA during the International Wolf Symposium, Nambu had just been named the recipient of the Who Speaks for Wolf Award presented by the International Wolf Center.
As she walked toward the stage to accept the award, Nambu’s hands covered her mouth in excitement. “I thought it was a mistake when I heard my name, especially since Japan has not approached the world level of wolf conservation,” she said. “Because my country no longer has any wolves, it can only take from the world but cannot reciprocate”
Nambu earned the award for her work with the Japan Wolf Association. She’s an active member of the association, which aims to have wolves reintroduced in Japan. Nambu has translated multiple wolf books into Japanese, researches Japanese attitudes about wolves and their possible reintroduction there, speaks at conferences and publishes in a variety of forums.
“There were many researchers and educators from all over the world at the symposium,” Nambu said. “I was walking on air when I could speak and talk directly with these people. There were many experiences and ways to learn at the conference other than from formal papers about human and wolf society. At the banquet many of my heroes were gathered.”
Dr. L. David Mech, the founder of the International Wolf Center, had this to say about Nambu’s efforts: “I have known Narumi since the Center’s 2013 International Wolf Symposium, and she is one of the most passionate and enthusiastic supporters of wolf reintroduction into Japan.”
This is the first time in International Wolf Center history that the Who Speaks for Wolf Award has been given to a recipient from Asia. The Center’s Executive Director, Rob Schultz, was thrilled to see Nambu earn the award.
“Narumi’s efforts in Japan illustrate that wolves across the world play a vital role in our ecosystems,” he said. “The work she’s doing there is all too familiar to those who have done similar work in North America. We’re honored to present her with this award and thrilled to celebrate her success in front of her peers.”
The Japan Wolf Association (JWA) was formed in 1993. The JWA estimates that animals with no natural predators left in Japan, mostly sika deer and wild boar, have caused the equivalent of $1.8 billion in agricultural and forestry damage to date.
Preserving the environment for future generations in Japan motivates Nambu to continue her efforts for wolf reintroduction.
“I love my own country, Japan,” she said. “I want to leave the nature of Japan in a beautiful condition for the next generation. In biology I learned that wolves are important in nature. But Japanese society must learn how to relate with wild animals. I believe that connects with the happiness of people in the future.”
Nambu was quick to point out that she’s one small part of a big organization working hard at reintroducing wolves in Japan.
“More than me, there are other people in Japan who have worked longer and harder for wolf reintroduction—for example, Dr. Naoki Maruyama, leader of the Japan Wolf Association, along with my husband, Hiroshi Asakura, and local wolf educators,” she said. “This award is not only for me but for all of them, as well. I hope to be only the representative. This award is not like the goal tape at the end of a race, but instead it is the starter gun.”
The annual “Who Speaks for Wolf” award is given by the International Wolf Center to an individual, who has made exceptional contributions to wolf education, by teaching people how the wolf lives and by placing the wolf in the broader context of humankind’s relationship to nature.
# # #
THE INTERNATIONAL WOLF CENTER, founded in 1985, is known worldwide as the premier source for wolf information and education. The mission of the Center is to advance the survival of wolf populations by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands and the human role in their future.
The Center educates through its website, its ambassador wolves, museumexhibits, educational outreach programs, International Wolf magazine, and a beautiful interpretive center in Ely, Minnesota.
Wolves and Wild Lands Traveling Exhibit
Cold Feet?
Wolf management plan update
Let wildlife remain wild, and remain alive
Questionnaire on Wolves in Croatia and Macedonia: Comparison of Public Attitudes
Questionnaire on Wolves in Croatia and Macedonia: Comparison of Public Attitudes
In “WOLVES IN EUROPE, C. Promberger and W. Schroder, eds., Oberammergau, Germany, 1992, pages 124-125
Reprinted with permission from Djuro Huber.
Djuro Huber, Sinisa Mitevski and Dragutin Kuhar
Biology Department, Veterinary Faculty, Heinzelova 55, 41000 Zagreb, Republic of Croatia
The doom of many wildlife species, and of large predators in particular, much depends on the attitude of the cohabitating human population. We attempted to find out the differences in attitude towards wolves (Canis lupus) due to the tradition, wolf population density, size of damage on lifestock, and other contributing factors in the two wolf-inhabited areas within the Dinara mountain range. One site we choose in south-central Croatia (Gorski kotar and Plitvice Lakes) and the other in north-eastern Macedonia. For aditional comparison we interviewed the inhabitants of Macedonian town Kumanovo, i.e. the people that live close to wolf habitat but are not directly influenced by his presence. The objectives of this study were to determine the factors influencing the human attitudes and the possible ways to change the negative atttide.
A total of 126 questionnaires were taken:
95 of people that cohabitate with wolves (53 in Croatia, 42 in Macedonia-Q1) and,
31 from nearby urban area (Kumanovo-Q2)(Fig. 1).
The quiz containing 12 groups of questions was completed by interview guided by a trained person. Chi-square test was used to determine the statisticaly significant differences.
Eightyfive percent (N=81) of wolf cohabitating interviewed people have seen the wolf in nature, and 14% (N=13) have even killed one or more, versus 35% (N=11) of urban people that have seen and 0% that killed a wolf (Fig. 2).
Therefore we used only the answers of wolf cohabitating people as relevant for the questions of wolf biology. In 60% (61 of 102) of sightings the wolf was seen alone, in 18% (N=18) in pair, and in 22 (N=23) in a pack (no significant difference betveen Croatia and Macedonia).
Estimating the wolf population trend in the last 20 years, 85% (N=45) of Croatian examinees consider the drop to the contrary of Macedonian (Q1) examinees where even 76% (N=31) consider increase and 0% the decrese of wolf population (P<0.01) (Fig. 3). Croatian and Macedonian examinees agree the roe deer is the most common (100%) wolf natural food. Following as the common natural food are red deer (75% Croatian vs. 38% Macedonian examinees), hare (71% vs. 33%), and wild boar (43% vs 14%, respectively)(Fig. 4).
As the most common domestic wolf prey the examined persons in Croatia rank: dogs (95%), sheep (73%), cattle (66%), goats (62%), and pigs (20%). The rank in the eyes of Macedonian examinees is: sheep (100%), pigs (83%), goats (40%), dogs (36%), and cattle (14%)(Fig. 5). Except for goats the answers differ at P<0.01 level. In comparison to other wild animal species all (100%) persons from Macedonia agree that the wolf causes by far the biggest damage, in contrast to examined persons in Croatia where bear (85%), wild boar (60%), and fox (58%) are bigger pests then wolf (Fig. 6).
All (100%) examinees from Macedonia and 85% examinees from Croatia want the bounty for the killed wolf to be maintained, but 81% and 74%, respectively, are against using poisons to kill wolves (Fig. 7). Resistence to poisons is only due to protect their domestic animals.
Marked difference was expressed between Macedonian – Q1 and Kumanovo – Q2 examinees considering the wolf role in nature.All 100% (N=42) Q1 consider the wolves as harmful species and the Macedonian wolf population too high. Only 26% (N=8) Q2 consider wolves harmful in nature and only 4% (N=1) the wolf population too high (for both p<0.01) (Fig. 8 and 9). None examinee in all questionnaires knows of a documented case of wolves attacking man in the last 20 years.
It can be concluded that the size of damage is the principle determinator of the attitude of local human population towards wolves. The importance of sheep hearding and their vulnerability to wolf predation in the way how they are presently kept in nort-eastern Macedonia makes the locals to wish the wolf exterminated as a species. On the contrary, the presently low population of wolves in Croatia, and the very few peoply living on extensive sheep hearding, places the wolf only to the fourth place as a pest animal.
The authors do not believe that the Macedonian wolf population actually grew in the last 20 years, but it could remained stable. Finding the sources to pay the damage done by wolves and helping locals to establish safer ways to keep their sheep could lead to the gradual change of attitude. In Croatia the attitide towards wolves is already favourable enough, though the source of funding for the damage compensations should be determined prior than the full legal protection could be expected.