- Susan Shimeld
_Wildlife Artist and Natural History Illustrator


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Wolf Watch

© Susan Shimeld

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My artwork, 'Wolf' Watch, is a pencil portrait. In my drawing 'Wolf Watch'; from a rocky outcrop, a lone wolf watches a herd of sheep grazing on the other side of the valley. From his vantage point, the hungry wolf sees a fluffy white 'smorgasbord' - he wants to eat, but he has a problem. The wolf has been spotted by the protector of the sheep. Guardian dogs such as the Maremma sheep dog, are being reintroduced to farming communities and are successfully deterring wolf attacks.

My wolf drawing was produced for the book, 'A New Era for Wolves and People' by Dr. Marco Musiani. For photo's of the event please visit 'Wolf Book Launch'.

I have actively supported wildlife conservation groups for the past 30+ years, and since becoming a Wildlife Artist, have always dreamed of illustrating a book for a conservation society. In 2007, my dream came true!

I was contacted by Denise Taylor and Dr. Marco Musiani, and was delighted to be asked if I would illustrate a book about wolves. Denise is a Director of the U.K Wolf Conservation Trust and Dr. Marco Musiani, Assistant Professor at the University of Calgary, is the author of the book, 'A New Era for Wolves and People'.

Over the course of 18 months, I was invited to the Wolf Trust in Reading where I was able to study, watch and walk with wolves.  I was supplied with numerous photographic references and  linked each of my pencil drawings with the relevant chapter headings within the books. The two books bring together authoritative perspectives on the ecological role played by wolves in the wild and developed environments where they occur on Earth. 'A New Era for Wolves and People' Volumes 1+2, by Dr. Marco Musiani, is to be published in 2009.

Having always been interested in animal behaviour - to have the opportunity to be at such close quarters with wolves; whilst also working to help keep wolves in the wild - was a super and unforgettable experience. 

WOLVES
The Grey Wolf, Canis lupus, is found in Canada, parts of North America and Eastern Europe. The Red Wolf, Canis rufus, lives in the south-eastern United States of America and the Ethiopian Wolf, Canis simensis, as its name suggests, lives only in Ethiopia.  The Ethiopian Wolf is the most endangered of all the canids, with only 500 individuals remaining. There are also sub-species of wolves including Arctic, Tundra, Maned and Italian. 

During the Middle Ages in the U.K, with the advent of forest clearing in order to establish farming settlements; wolves were seen as a direct threat to livestock and during the 17th century, hunted to extinction.  It is imperative that this is not the outcome for the remaining wolf populations struggling to survive today in the diminishing habitats around the world.

To this day, wolves are protected in some areas, hunted for sport in others, and also considered a serious threat to livestock and people. Myths originate from encounters with nature and scaremongering stories stem from the age-old perception that the wolf is a 'vicious man-eater'.  In folk tales such as the 'Three Little Pigs, 'Hansel and Gretel', 'Little Red-Riding Hood' and Aesop's fables - the wolf is symbolised as the epitome of evil.  In old England, the depiction of a wolf's head was often used as the sign of an outlaw or criminal and until the 1800's, the werewolf was still feared. In the bible, the wolf is also referred to as a symbol of sin.

In stark contrast, other cultures around the world show great respect for the wolf and legends depict wolves in a positive way. They are seen as strong, noble creatures with close family bonds and great hunting skills.  High-ranking and important European families would often take the name of the wolf; depicting it also in their heraldic crest.

Wolf attacks are not common and compared to other predatory animals, wolves are the least threatening to people.  Wolves are intelligent animals and given a choice, would rather have nothing to do with homo-sapiens.

In our endeavour to gain more land for grazing cattle and growing crops, as human populations expand; we encroach further into wolf  territory. This inevitably causes conflict as there is nowhere else for the wolf  to go. By destroying their forests, we are displacing wolves and their natural prey - forcing them out into the open and if we are not careful - out of existence.  

In America and Europe, wolves are now being reintroduced into areas that were once established homelands to wolf packs. It has been learned to our cost that we do need wolves. Without them, other species such as deer, proliferate and cause untold damage to plants, trees and habitats.  Wolves, along with all top wild predators, help the overall health of natural ecosystems and, as with all wild species, their future is in our hands. 

I have learned so much from my journey with wolves, and I hope that the proceeds from my Wolf Fine Art Prints and Greetings Cards will help remaining wolf populations continue to live in their natural habitats. Please help to 'Keep Wolves in the Wild'.

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-----------------------All Artwork, Images & Content © Susan Shimeld. 2002. All rights reserved.