The Story of Lobo

Lobo was a wolf from Currumpaw, New Mexico who was hunted by Ernest Thompson Seton, a wolf hunter in the Southwestern U.S. during the 1890's.

During this time in the valley Lobo and his pack, co-led by his beloved mate Blanca, began eating the settlers livestock after the settlers killed or scared all of their natural prey away. Consequently, the settlers began trying to kill the wolves to save their livestock. After trying several times to kill the wolves with poisoned meat, which the clever Lobo and his pack mates ate after pulling out the poisoned pieces, the settlers turned to traps and hunting parties which also failed. Finally, the settlers put out a $1,000 bounty on Lobo's head, which attracted the bounty hunter Ernest Thompson Seton in 1893.

Seton made the journey to the canyons of New Mexico and began formulating a plan to kill the wolf. He tried to capture Lobo by using five poisoned baits, which he set out around Lobo's territory. After they disappeared Seton assumed Lobo to be dead, but later found the baits all gathered in one pile and obviously left by Lobo and his wolves. Next, after realizing Lobo to be much more clever than originally presumed, Seton bought a bunch of specialized traps to capture the witty wolf. However, again he was foiled when he failed to catch Lobo and found his tracks leading from trap to trap, exposing them all. Weeks turned to months and Seton was becoming increasingly frustrated.

Blanca, Lobo's mate

One day, while following Lobo's trail in the snow Seton realized his weakness: Lobo was ardently attached to Blanca. Seton now set his traps in attempts to catch Blanca and this time he succeeded. When he came to check the traps he found Blanca stuck and  howling with her mate Lobo guarding her side. After running Lobo off the hunters snapped Blanca's neck while he watched from a distance. Seton reported hearing Lobo's howls for days, howls that were no longer strong and defiant but rather howls that were characterized by "an unmistakable note of sorrow" and represented his impending doom.

Lobo, after his capture

Seton, although feeling guilty and having some second thoughts about the mission, continued his plan to capture and kill Lobo. Lobo, undaunted by the danger of following the humans, followed the scent of his beloved mate back to Seton's camp. Seton had set up several traps and covered them in Blanca's scent, knowing that would attract Lobo. In January of 1984 Lobo was found with all four legs captured in Seton's traps. When Seton approached him he stood up despite the pain of his injuries and howled a long howl of acceptance. Seton, now utterly connected to Lobo and his bravery and love for his mate, could not kill the amazing wolf. Seton and his men tied Lobo to a horse and carried him back to their ranch. Secured by a chain all Lobo did was stair out across the prairie to the land that had once been a home to his entire family. The next morning Seton found him dead and knew that despite his injuries he had died of a broken heart.

Touched by his experiences with Lobo and given new value of the wild Seton was forced to accept his position as a naturalist rather than a hunter. He went on to found the Woodcroft Indians (a group dedicated to preserving wildlife) and spread the story of Lobo and his mate Blanca to inspire in others a love of the wild. Seton also helped begin the Boy Scouts of America and the Leage of Woodcroft Indians came to merge with it into one group.

"Ever since Lobo, my sincerest wish has been to impress upon people that each of our native wild creatures is in itself a precious heritage that we have no right to destroy or put beyond the reach of our children" -E. T. Seton towards the end of his life

E.T. Seton

To watch Lobo's entire story click HERE for the abc video link; the video below shows the end of Lobo's life and is definite motivation to watch the entire story.

Come back soon for more awesome info on wolves!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobo_the_King_of_Currumpaw
http://www.pineapplefish56.net/Setons_Lobo.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/episodes/the-wolf-that-changed-america/video-full-episode/4414/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodcraft_Indians