Wild wolf in Hoh Xil overfed by tourists, causing concern among netizens

A wolf in Hoh Xil nature reserve, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, has gained weight as a result of regular feeding by visitors in vehicles, according to a video recorded by a netizen, causing a frenzy of internet debate. Photo: Screenshot from online

A wolf in Hoh Xil nature reserve, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, has gained weight as a result of regular feeding by visitors in vehicles, according to a video recorded by a netizen.

The chubby wolf wags its tail at passing automobiles and even rolls onto its back to appeal for food in the video. The video rapidly went viral, causing a frenzy of internet debate.

In July this year, a woman shared a video of her encounter with a wolf while traveling through Hoh Xil. She got out of her car to give the hungry wolf some beef jerky, noting how emaciated the animal seemed.

She expressed her sympathy for it and did not hesitate to feed it. 

In other videos posted by netizens, a wolf can be seen wandering near cars on the roadside, and even lying in front of one of them. 

The new video claims the wolf in Hoh Xil has been fed by humans for a long time.

It sparked heated discussion among netizens, with some finding the wolf very cute and funny, and joking that it "no longer wanted to work hard." But others expressed concern that such feeding would disrupt the natural order, and have a negative impact on the wolf and its ecosystem.

Dai Qiang, a researcher at the Chengdu Institute of Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who has been studying wild animals such as pandas and wolves for a long time, disagrees with the practice of feeding wild wolves. He believes that such behavior may also cause the animals to become dependent, and have adverse consequences.

Dai said that such behavior may pose risks for both human beings and wild animals. 

"Wild animals, especially injured ones, may carry bacteria. Wolves are fierce beasts after all, and it is hard to know whether they are aggressive or not, so it is better to keep a safe distance," said Dai.

On the other hand, "unless the species is endangered, artificial intervention is not recommended," he said.

"Ecosystems in nature involve a complex food chain. Wolves are national second-class protected animals, and they should be protected, but excessive rescue is not recommended. Moreover, such behavior may also cause the animals to become dependent," Wang Xing, a Beijing-based wildlife protector, told the Global Times.

Feeding wild animals isn't new. Brown bears, like wolves, have benefited from visitor donations. 

In early October, a netizen posted a video showing people feeding five wild brown bears in a scenic location in Qinghai, alleging that the bears visited in search of food.

If a wild animal is in need of rescue, it is best that people report it to the relevant departments instead of feeding them, Qi Xinzhang, deputy director of Xining Wildlife Park, commented under the video of the wolf.

"Kindness needs the support of rationality, otherwise it may cause an adverse result," Qi added.