Can Wolves Be Dangerous To Humans?

There are countless stories of wolves that were dangerous to humans. Yet, today, we are told in popular media that wolves are never dangerous to humans.

What is the truth?

I think we are not being told the entire truth. Some observations:

1.) There was the wolf attack in China: “Up to five of the animals surrounded the small farming community before viciously mauling the six people living there, leaving two seriously injured in a previously unheard of attack.” – Daily Mail, 8/13/14

2.) There have been documented attacks on humans by wolves as a result of illness.

3.) I read a story (I'm trying to locate it) from Siberia where a number of hunters were attacked by a pack of wolves, were injured but survived. I saw another such story from Saskatchewan.

4.) “A Fish and Game biologist said a trio of gray wolves appear to have killed a dog and then pursued the owner during a hike in the mountains near Anchorage. The episode offers a textbook look at what to do -- and what not to do -- when you are among wolves, he said.” -- alaskadispatch.com, June 24, 2014

5.) In Yellowstone Park, the regulations say that humans are to distance themselves at least 100 yards away from wolves. Is this for the benefit of the wolves or the public? I think both.

6.) If a wolf, just like a bear, becomes too food conditioned, they can become unafraid of humans and a danger: Isle Royale kills problem wolf after increasing number of ‘concerning incidents’ – Mlive, 8/15/25

7.) A female employee of the Kolmarden zoo in central Sweden was mauled to death in the wolf enclosure on Sunday morning – The Local; 6/12/12

8.) And here is another interesting resource 

9.)    There are numerous accounts of hunters, in North America, that have stories of dangerous wolves and in some cases where they had to fend them off or kill them.

Apex predators, like wolves, can be dangerous to humans. Even our own park service admits it, and hazes the wolves to keep them away from humans. Why does our own park service say that visitors should remain at least 100 yards from wolves AND to carry pepper spray? They know the truth. 

Plan accordingly.