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The primary reason is that most humans simply can't stand the reality that wolves (and coyotes) are a good bit smarter than they are.

I agree with some of what you say but this is complete bullsh*t. Show me ANY wolf that can drive a car, balance a checkbook, shoot a rifle and pick up a telephone and call.

Wolves have their place, but they are never smarter than humans. Better instincts and cunning yes, more intelligent, no.

An animal's lack of ability to perform certain "human" tasks doesn't diminish its intelligence.

Attributing human qualities to entities which are not human (like animals) is known as anthropomorphism.

There is plenty of excellent literature on the subject of human-wolf relationships, please avail yourself of some.

As a start, I suggest the following:
Vicious: Wolves and Men in America, by Jon T. Coleman
Of Wolves and Men, by Barry Lopez.

And check out this one as well:
God's Dog: The North American Coyote, by Hope Ryden.

I realize that the entire subject is rife with strong opinion, but man has feared wolves for millenia.

There has never been a documented case of a human fatality caused by a wolf in North America.

But humans still insist on killing wolves for being wolves.

Things like killing elk and deer, killing dogs [a dumb interloping species], come naturally to wolves.

As far as livestock is concerned, most researchers agree that, more often than not wolves (and coyotes) were feeding on winterkilled or previously dead livestock (pretty much the same thing your dog would if afforded to opportunity).

In my personal experience, I'd be far more concerned with feral dogs than wolves.

Wolves have a healthy fear of man, and will pretty much keep their distance.

It's kind of ironic that we readily embrace the dumbed-down progeny of the wolf (dogs), but revile and fear the progenitor who is a far better creature.

I've been personally cornered by feral dogs twice in my life and have never been so scared.

Anyways, I love this whole debate, but I realize hat I'll never change anyone's mind.

Please read up and make up your own minds.