Set in the soaring mountains and majestic valleys of southwest Montana, WOLVES IN PARADISE is a tale of survival as ranchers face the challenge of living with wolves in the decade after the top predator was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park.
The documentary follows the growing wolf packs as they leave the sanctuary of the park and make their first incursions into Paradise Valley. 'How can we have the rancher and the wolf together? That's the part we need to get figured out, all right. That's the tough one,' says Paradise Valley rancher Martin Davis. Davis copes with the frustration of running livestock in wolf country, while fending off another threat to his way of life: encroaching development. His traditional, family outfit is contrasted with the vast Sun Ranch in nearby Madison Valley, operated as a conservation experiment that tries to accommodate both wolves and cattle with unexpected, dramatic results.
Meanwhile, as the action plays out in the remote reaches of Greater Yellowstone, a surprising alliance grows between traditional enemies -- livestock growers and conservationists -- who find common ground in the need to protect open space from developers in this last, wild corner of the West.
'While many ranchers continue to oppose wolf conservation, some of the most progressive ranchers are asking a new question. They wonder, 'How is it that we can best co-exist with wolves?' This presentation offers in-depth understanding about the complex perspectives and thoughts that progressive ranchers have about how to live with wolves. We learn about how these ranchers are succeeding and what challenges remain.' John Vucetich, Co-Director of Isle Royale Wolf-Moose Research, Michigan Technological University
'Wolves in Paradise presents a panorama of perspectives on wolves from ranchers and wolf recovery experts who live up close and personal with this top predator in the cattle country of Paradise, Wyoming. At the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota, we use the film in our programs to spark discussion about human coexistence with wolves. It portrays the wolf-rancher conflict with respect for both.' Sharee Johnson, Interpretive Center Director, International Wolf Center, www.wolf.org
'Like other modern environmental issues, this one has no easy solution, but as the film recounts the efforts of all sides to find common ground, a sense of optimism emerges. This film provides a fascinating look into one of our most contentious environmental issues of recent years, and shows how reasonable people can put aside their superficial differences and begin to tackle the biggest issue of our age--How can we continue to maintain wilderness values in a world that grows less wild every day?' Fred H. Harrington, Professor of Ethology, Mount Saint Vincent, Author, The Gray Wolf, The Red Wolf, The Arctic Wolf, and The Ethiopian Wolf from the Library of Wolves and Wild Dogs Series
'William Campbell's Wolves in Paradise presents a promising solution to a modern ecological problem found in some of the last remaining wilderness of the American West...Recommended.' Video Librarian
'The quality of this production is excellent...Trying to train wolves to keep them from attacking cattle and sheep is an extremely complex cooperative effort by Montana Fish, Wildlife and parks, the ranchers, and developers...This film is highly recommended for its balanced treatment of a very controversial subject.' Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State University Libraries, Educational Media Reviews Online
Citation
Main credits
Campbell, William (film producer)
Campbell, William (photographer)
Campbell, William (editor of moving image work)
Vollers, Maryanne (screenwriter)
Rush, Tom (narrator)
Other credits
Original music, Sean Devine, Kevin Toll, Wiliam Campbell.
Agriculture; American West; Animal Rights; Animals; Anthropology; Development; Ecology; Endangered Species; Environment; Environmental Ethics; Environmental Justice; Geography; Habitat; Humanities; Land Use; Life Science; Public Lands; Ranching; Sociology; Western US; Wildlife; Wildlife Biology
Keywords
ranchers, environmentalists, wolves, Montana, predator, wolf reintroduction,Yellowstone National Park, sanctuary, Paradise Valley, livestock, Sun Ranch, Madison Valley, conservation, cattle, Greater Yellowstone, Americn West; "Wolves in Paradise"; Bullfrog Films
Distributor: Bullfrog Films
Length: 57 minutes
Date: 2007
Genre: Expository
Language: English
Grade: 9-12, College, Adult
Color/BW:
Closed Captioning: Available
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