Women and Wolves
Women and Wolves
Bridging Mexican Gray Wolf Conservation with Human Advocacy
Natalie Horvath
Our campaign seeks to advocate the rights of Mexican Grey wolves while creating a vital connection with human trauma, particularly women and indigenous communities, across the United States. We believe that the stories of these elusive animals reflect broader themes of resilience, autonomy, and a sharedness that resonate deeply within human experiences.
Connecting Inequalities: Women and the Animal Rights Movement
Ecofeminsim is a growing philosophy and movement that underscores the inherent interconnectedness between the exploitation of both women and animals. The intersection of women’s rights and animal rights often surprises people, but it makes sense once you trace the core issues of these deeply-rooted oppressive systems. Not only do women make up most animal rights activists, but many connect animal oppression to broader issues like feminism and racial equality. Research suggests that empathy stemming from shared experiences of oppression, along with societal expectations and gendered social learning, drives women to advocate more for animals on a personal level (Gaarder, 2005). These activists argue that the societal norms that objectify and commodify animals mirror the exploitation of women’s bodies, particularly emphasizing objectivity and “consumption” of both groups.
One well-known philosopher, Peter Singer, uses a utilitarian approach to argue for animal liberation. He believes that both women’s and animal rights movements address the same core issue: patriarchal oppression. By challenging these systems, activists advocate for equal moral consideration for all marginalized beings. Singer’s view emphasizes that “equal consideration” doesn’t mean identical treatment, but instead acknowledges unique needs and rights of these marginalized social groups (Singer, 1975). For meaningful social change, he argues we need to dismantle structures that oppress both women and animals.
Recognizing the shared roots of gender-based oppression and animal exploitation can create a more inclusive and transformative approach to both movements. Addressing these issues together strengthens the fight for liberation on all fronts.
Connecting Captive Breeding and Abortion Rights
The discussion on captive breeding for endangered species highlights significant ethical considerations that can parallel women's reproductive rights, particularly regarding access to birth control and abortion. Just as captive breeding aims to manage animal populations for conservation, reproductive rights empower women to make autonomous decisions about their bodies and futures. Both issues highlight how individual rights—whether for animals in conservation efforts or women seeking reproductive healthcare—are often compromised by broader societal and institutional forces.
Many ecofeminists call for an intersectional approach that considers ecological, feminist, and reproductive justice, the debate over captive breeding similarly calls for a reevaluation of conservation strategies that prioritize not just the survival of species but also their natural behaviors and habitats (Gaard, 2010). Effective conservation should not only rely on captive breeding programs, as this can also lead to significant long-term impacts on populations. Critics of captive breeding argue that it can lead to dependency and a lack of genetic diversity, suggesting that reliance on artificial means of population control might compromise the long-term viability of species (Povilitis, 2014). Similarly, limiting women's access to reproductive health services can lead to adverse outcomes for individuals and the collective society, which raises ethical questions about autonomy and the right to choose.
Both captive breeding and women's reproductive rights involve complex arguments where the rights of individuals—be they animals or women—must be respected. Emphasizing the importance of choice in both contexts supports a broader understanding of autonomy and the consequences of societal control on oppressed communities. This connection underscores the need for radical, comprehensive strategies that prioritize both ecological health from lobo conservation and women's rights.
The Co-Evolution of Mexican Gray Wolves and Indigenous Communities
Mexican gray wolves, or lobos, and Indigenous communities share a history of violent displacement, bound by the impacts of human borders that disrupt natural movements and traditional connections to their lands. Just as wolves need open landscapes to thrive and ensure ecological balance, Indigenous families need the freedom to travel traditional pathways. The short film Almost Ancestors, directed by Brišind, illustrates these parallel paths, showing how both wolves and Indigenous peoples are ecologically essential to the landscapes they inhabit. By honoring these connections, we hope to support a future of restoration and mutual respect for these communities..
Indigenous cultural narratives highlight wolves’ significance, revealing a model of co-evolution that challenges the Eurocentric notion of domestication as dominance. Instead, these stories reflect a relationship of reciprocity—wolves and humans once shared food and hunting strategies, indicating a domestication pathway shaped by collaboration (Fredrickson & Anderson, 2023). The wolf is central to various indigenous creation stories, and they are viewed as a sacred brother to these indigenous communities. To this day, there are vestiges of colonialism in the agencies that determine the culture of death and management of these wolves. Embracing an indigenous perspective calls for honoring the rights of both lobos and Indigenous people to access their ancestral lands without barriers. Together, we can support a future that respects all generations’ lives, freedom, safety, and rights.
However, a successful example of shared stewardship of the Mexican gray wolf population could be the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT) Reservation, where WMAT’s Mexican Wolf Program monitors and manages wolf activity. With grants and support from several organizations, the Program has offered Tribal Youth Conservation Internships, giving White Mountain Apache youth hands-on experience in wildlife conservation. Through mentoring and practical training, interns gain skills, confidence, and a sense of stewardship, inspiring many to pursue careers in natural resource management. This program promotes community and conservation for both wolves and Indigenous lands.
Citations and references
Moore, T. L. (2008). Why women choose to advocate for animals: A study of feminism and animal rights activism (Doctoral dissertation, University of Kansas). Retrieved from https://www.proquest.com/docview/305026609
Singer, P. (1975). A Utilitarian Defense of Animal Liberation. Retrieved from https://blogs.nwic.edu/briansblog/files/2015/04/A-Utilitarian-Defense-of-Animal-Liberation.pdf
Gaard, G. (2010). Reproductive technology, or reproductive justice? An ecofeminist, environmental justice perspective on the rhetoric of choice. Ethics and the Environment, 15(2), 103-129.https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2979/ete.2010.15.2.103
Povilitis, T. (2014). Is captive breeding an appropriate conservation strategy for endangered species? Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Tony-Povilitis/publication/261879159_Is_captive_breeding_an_appropriate_conservation_strategy_for_endangered_species/links/02e7e53641f1b01881000000/Is-captive-breeding-an-appropriate-conservation-strategy-for-endangered-species.pdf
Brišind. (n.d.). Almost Ancestors - About. Almost Ancestors. Retrieved from https://almostancestors.com/about
Fredrickson, L., & Anderson, M. (2023). Wolves as guides: Exploring the reciprocal relationship between humans and wolves in Indigenous stories of North America. Ethnobiology, 35(2), 262-285. https://doi.org/10.2993/etbi-35-02-262-285.1
White Mountain Apache Tribe. (2018). Mexican Wolf Program: Tribal Youth Conservation Internship. Retrieved from https://wmatoutdoor.org/files/Article.pdf