The Man who Eats, Sleeps, and Lives with Wolves | 60 Minutes Australia

Summary

The video follows Sean Ellis, a researcher who has spent 20 years living with and studying wolves to understand their behavior and communication. Known as 'The Wolfman,' Ellis has lived among wolves in the wild and raised wolf pups as part of his unique research. His work aims to bridge the gap between humans and wolves by using their natural behaviors to prevent conflict with farmers. Despite the risks and personal sacrifices, Ellis remains dedicated to his mission of protecting wolves and fostering coexistence between humans and these misunderstood animals.

Takeaways

• 🐺 Sean Ellis has spent 20 years living, eating, and studying wolves in the wild to understand their behavior and language.
• 🔬 He takes an unconventional approach to research, fully immersing himself in the wolves' world, living with them in an animal park in England.
• ⚖️ Sean's goal is to use his research to help prevent conflicts between wolves and humans by teaching wolves to stay away from farms and ranches.
• 🐾 Sean raised three young wolf pups rejected by their mother, modeling his actions after the behavior of wild wolf packs.
• 🩹 Despite being bitten and injured multiple times, Sean has developed a close bond with the wolves, even allowing them to clean and heal his wounds.
• 💔 Sean’s commitment to wolves took a toll on his family life, resulting in his wife leaving him with their children, but he found a new partner, Helen, who supports his passion.
• 🌲 Sean's ultimate goal is to live with wolves in their natural habitat, in remote mountains and rangelands, to better understand them.
• 📢 He believes wolf howls can be used as a tool to keep wolves away from human settlements by simulating territorial boundaries.
• ⚠️ Living with wolves is dangerous, and Sean has faced severe injuries, but he continues to work closely with the pack, establishing himself as a peacemaker.
• 🌍 Sean hopes his research will create better understanding and coexistence between humans and wolves globally, especially in areas like Yellowstone National Park.

Q & A

Who is Sean Ellis and why is he called the 'Wolfman'?

Sean Ellis is a researcher who has spent 20 years studying wolves in the wild, even living, eating, and sleeping with them to better understand their behavior. Due to his close interaction with wolves, he's called the 'Wolfman.'

Why do people generally fear wolves, according to the script?

People fear wolves due to their portrayal in fairy tales, horror movies, and pop culture as dangerous, bloodthirsty beasts. Examples include the Big Bad Wolf and werewolves.

What is the goal of Sean Ellis' research with wolves?

Sean Ellis aims to understand wolves' natural behavior and language from within their packs to help prevent conflicts between wolves and humans, particularly by teaching wolves to avoid farms and ranches.

How did Sean Ellis begin raising the wolves in the UK?

Sean found three wolf pups that had been rejected by their mother and decided to raise them by mimicking the behavior of a wild wolf pack, essentially becoming their teacher and caretaker.

How does Sean Ellis communicate with the wolves, and what role does he play in their pack?

Sean Ellis communicates with the wolves using body language and vocalizations. He started as the pack leader but later allowed Yana, the alpha male, to take over. He now acts as a 'peacemaker,' helping resolve conflicts within the pack.

What dangers does Sean face living with wolves, and how does he cope with them?

Sean frequently faces physical confrontations, including bites that lead to wounds and concussions. Despite the dangers, he continues living with the wolves, who even help clean and heal his wounds more effectively than traditional medical methods.

How has Sean Ellis' work with wolves affected his personal life?

Sean's intense dedication to wolves led to the breakdown of his family life, with his wife leaving him and taking their children. However, he later found a partner, Helen Jeffs, who supports his work and has also developed a bond with the wolves.

What method does Sean Ellis propose for keeping wolves away from farms and ranches?

Sean uses recorded wolf howls as a territorial warning to keep wolves away from certain areas. When wolves hear these howls, they interpret them as another pack's territory and stay away.

What impact has Sean's work had on the conflict between wolves and humans, especially in places like Yellowstone National Park?

Sean's work offers a potential solution for reducing conflict between wolves and humans by better understanding wolf behavior. His method of using recorded howls could help protect farms and ranches, reducing the need for culling wolves.

What is Sean Ellis' ultimate goal with his research on wolves?

Sean's ultimate goal is to live with wolves in their natural habitats, such as remote mountains and rangelands, to continue learning from them and bridge the gap between human and wolf understanding.