Hoh Xil, a wild plateau region once known as the pristine paradise of the gray wolf, is witnessing severe changes due to human activities. As more tourists flock to this area, they not only explore the harsh beauty of the land but also inadvertently alter the behaviors of the strongest predators, putting a part of the local ecosystem at risk.
Hoh Xil is a majestic and pristine highland plateau located at a significant altitude on the Tibetan Plateau in China, where nature has preserved its ancient beauty for millions of years. With its unique wilderness, it is becoming an ideal destination for those who love nature exploration through long-distance trips.
A gray wolf “begging” by the roadside in Hoh Xil.
However, with the rising number of tourists, an unusual phenomenon has emerged along National Highway 109 in Hoh Xil, where an increasing number of visitors have reported sightings of gray wolves “begging” by the roadside. These wolves are not only unafraid of humans but also actively approach, wagging their tails and sometimes even rolling over, behaving like a “husky” dog just to beg for food.
Initially, the wolves approaching passersby were individuals who were old or ill, no longer able to compete and hunt in the wild. They lost their ability to survive in the wild and began seeking food from leftovers along the road or from the compassion of passing tourists. This was the first step leading to behavioral changes in the gray wolves of Hoh Xil.
Consequently, tourists began to feel excited and delighted when they saw a wild wolf, an animal known for its ferocity in nature, approach them in a friendly manner. They viewed this as an opportunity to experience a unique and close interaction with nature. From here, “begging wolves” gradually became a phenomenon, with one notable wolf appearing in numerous travel videos in 2023. This wolf has become a symbol of “begging” behavior as it frequently appeared by the roadside, and gradually, other wolves began to mimic and form a group of “begging wolves.”
Begging behavior became more frequent as other wolves began to mimic and form a group of “begging wolves”.
Feeding the wolves creates a link between easily accessible food and approaching humans. This behavior not only alters the lifestyle of weaker individuals but also negatively impacts healthy adult wolves. With easy food sources provided by tourists, the wolves gradually lose their hunting instincts and begin to depend on food supplied by humans. This not only diminishes their natural hunting instincts but also causes their bodies to change, becoming plumper due to lack of activity.
Moreover, feeding wolves does not benefit either the wolves or the ecosystem. The food that humans bring is often high in oil and salt, unsuitable for the natural diet of wolves. Long-term consumption of such food can jeopardize the health of gray wolves, causing unnatural diseases in this wild species.
Additionally, wolves’ loss of caution towards humans can lead to dangerous situations. Wolves remain powerful predators with natural instincts; when in close contact with humans, they can easily become agitated and aggressive. This can lead to attacks, harming tourists and creating a negative image for a species that is already at risk.
Feeding wolves does not benefit either the wolves or the ecosystem.
The wolves’ dependence on food provided by humans not only affects their behavior but also impacts the entire ecosystem in Hoh Xil. In the natural environment, gray wolves are apex predators that control the population of herbivores, particularly species like the Tibetan antelope. When wolf populations decline or their hunting abilities weaken, herbivore populations can increase, leading to significant vegetation loss. This can cause desertification, disrupting the fragile balance of this plateau ecosystem.
The decline of wolves not only leads to an increase in herbivore numbers but also alters the plant structure, affecting many other species. Imbalances in the ecosystem can create unpredictable consequences, such as altering the structure and biodiversity in Hoh Xil, reducing the land’s natural resilience.
Human feeding behavior creates changes in animal lifestyles.
Hoh Xil is not the only place where human feeding behavior has altered animal lifestyles. A notable example is the monkeys on Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, China. When Mount Emei opened to tourists, it was observed that the monkeys there were very friendly and willing to accept food from visitors. Initially, this brought joy to both humans and monkeys, but over time, the monkeys became dependent on the food provided by humans and gradually neglected their natural foraging behaviors.
Over time, these monkeys became increasingly aggressive, willing to use any means to “beg” from tourists. This behavior not only led them to lose their natural survival instincts but also created a negative image, as tourists began to refer to them as “deceiving monkeys.” This serves as a lesson for humans in interacting with wildlife, warning that human intervention does not always benefit animals or the environment.
If fed, wolves will gradually lose their hunting instincts.
In all situations, the best thing humans can do is to refrain from intervening in the natural lives of wildlife. For those managing Sanjiangyuan National Park, which includes Hoh Xil, protecting the harmony between humans and animals does not mean creating artificial closeness through feeding but rather maintaining a distance for both to coexist peacefully in the same land. This embodies the true meaning of the harmonious relationship between humans and nature.
Allowing wolves and other wildlife to live freely according to their instincts and natural habitats not only helps protect their health and survival instincts but also ensures the stability and balance of the ecosystem. Seemingly harmless feeding behavior by humans can lead to serious ecological consequences, especially for rare wild areas like Hoh Xil.
Humans should not intervene too deeply in the natural lives of wildlife.
The rise of tourism and human impact is inevitable as wild places like Hoh Xil become attractive destinations. However, to preserve the wild beauty and the fragile balance of the ecosystem here, visitors must be aware of their responsibilities. Do not feed wildlife, respect their natural lives, and together protect the pristine beauty of Hoh Xil for future generations.
