The wolf ranger

There is probably no other species in North America that elicits more division than wolves. The sides usually come down to ranchers who fear for their cattle, and environmentalists who fear the extinction of an animal they value and see as critical to the balance of nature.

Wolves reveal the bigger picture of the relationship between humans and the wild, and indeed the relationship between humans from different walks of life.

In this episode, I saddle up, take to the hills of eastern Washington state, and meet a man who left his city life behind to protect the wolves he loves.

"I found a current population pack of wolves and I put my finger in the middle of the map," said Daniel Curry. "And I said I am going to go there and I am going to do something."

That “something” was to become a range rider: One part wolf-protecting conservationist, one part modern-day cowboy. Daniel’s new job is to literally stand between cattle and wolves, to keep the peace in today’s wild west.

Daniel's work as a range rider is supported by Conservation Northwest and the Northeast Washington Wolf Cattle Collaborative (NEWWCC).

THE WILD is a production of KUOW in Seattle in partnership with Chris Morgan and The UPROAR Fund. It is produced by Matt Martin and edited by Jim Gates. It is hosted, produced and written by Chris Morgan. Fact checking by Apryle Craig. Our theme music is by Michael Parker.

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