# Wolf Watch
> A neutral, research-backed platform mapping wolf populations, policies, and stakeholder perspectives across the United States.

## About
Wolf Watch provides data-driven tools and resources for understanding wolf recovery in America. The platform serves ranchers, wildlife biologists, policymakers, tribal nations, conservation organizations, hunters, educators, and the general public. Content is sourced from peer-reviewed studies, government agencies, and verified stakeholder accounts.

## Core Topics
- Wolf population data by state (interactive maps and dashboards)
- Federal and state wolf policy and legislation tracking
- Human-wolf coexistence strategies and non-lethal deterrents
- Stakeholder perspectives from ranchers, tribal leaders, biologists, and advocates
- Historical timeline of wolves in North America
- Ecological impact research including trophic cascades
- Wolf-livestock conflict data and mitigation strategies
- Lethal vs. non-lethal management cost analysis

## Site Structure

### Core Pages
- Home: https://www.wolfwatch.co/
- Mission: https://www.wolfwatch.co/mission
- Explore (Interactive Map): https://www.wolfwatch.co/explore
- Contact: https://www.wolfwatch.co/contact
- FAQ: https://www.wolfwatch.co/faq
- Act Now: https://www.wolfwatch.co/act-now

### Wolves EDU (Education)
- Wolf History & Timeline: https://www.wolfwatch.co/timeline
- A Keystone Species: https://www.wolfwatch.co/wolves/keystone-species
- Behavior & Social Structure: https://www.wolfwatch.co/wolves/behavior
- Population Data & Maps: https://www.wolfwatch.co/data
- Wolf Media & Stories: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stories

### Conflict
- Overview of Wolf Conflicts: https://www.wolfwatch.co/conflict
- Livestock & Ranching: https://www.wolfwatch.co/conflict/livestock-ranching
- Hunting & Wildlife: https://www.wolfwatch.co/conflict/hunting-wildlife
- Rural Communities & Safety: https://www.wolfwatch.co/conflict/rural-communities

### Coexistence
- Non-Lethal Deterrents & Tools: https://www.wolfwatch.co/coexistence
- Compensation Programs: https://www.wolfwatch.co/coexistence#compensation-programs
- Successful Case Studies: https://www.wolfwatch.co/coexistence/case-studies

### Stakeholder Perspectives
- Who Are the Stakeholders: https://www.wolfwatch.co/perspectives
- Rancher Voices: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stakeholders/rancher-voices
- Wildlife Biologists: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stakeholders/wildlife-biologists
- Tribal Perspectives: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stakeholders/tribal-perspectives
- Hunters & Outfitters: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stakeholders/hunters-outfitters
- Conservation Leaders: https://www.wolfwatch.co/stakeholders/conservation-leaders

### Policy
- Wolf Policy Tracker: https://www.wolfwatch.co/wolf-policy
- How Policy Works: https://www.wolfwatch.co/policy/how-it-works

### Field Notes (Blog)
- Field Notes Index: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes
- Wolf Population & Pack Dynamics: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes/wolf-population
- Washington Wolf Policy: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes/washington-wolf-policy
- Wolf-Rancher Conflict: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes/wolf-rancher-conflict
- Coexistence Solutions Effectiveness: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes/coexistence-solutions
- California's BAE Wolf: https://www.wolfwatch.co/field-notes/bae-california-wolf

### AI Discovery
- About (Static HTML): https://www.wolfwatch.co/about-ai.html

## Key Data Points
- Current U.S. gray wolf population: ~7,500 (lower 48 states)
- States with established wolf populations: Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Colorado
- States with recovering or reintroduced populations: Colorado (2023 reintroduction), California (natural dispersal)
- Primary federal authority: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act
- Annual confirmed livestock depredation: ~5,800 domestic animals (cattle, sheep, dogs)
- Efficacy of combined non-lethal deterrents: up to 80% reduction in depredation

## Contact
Email: mollymeganhawkins@gmail.com
Website: https://www.wolfwatch.co
Sitemap: https://www.wolfwatch.co/sitemap.xml