In 1893, a bounty hunter named Ernest Thompson Seton journeyed to the untamed canyons of New Mexico on a mission to kill a dangerous outlaw. Feared by ranchers throughout the region, the outlaw wasn’t a pistol-packing cowboy or train-robbing bandit. The outlaw was a wolf. Lobo, as locals simply called him, was the legendary leader of a band of cattle-killing wolves that had been terrorizing cattle ranchers and their livestock. It was up to Seton to exterminate this “super-wolf.” The ensuing battle of wits between wolf and man would spark a real-life wilderness drama, the outcome of which would leave a lasting effect on a new and growing movement in America: wilderness preservation.
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This program premiered November 23, 2008.
(63 votes)
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I was so amazed and engrossed by this story of Ernest Thompson Seton & Lobo. Thank you all who are responsible for this film. I will promote others to watch it.
It made me cry. I’m also from New Mexico, and the University of NM mascot is the “Lobo”. There is a statue of the him on the campus that now has new meaning for me. Thanks for this program.
I could not watch this without tears… What a great show, thank you PBS. This will be one of my favorite Christmas gift to many of my friends and family….
I want more people to inspire by this incredible real story of Lobo and Seton..
Too bad this is not available until Dec. 26. I loved the program, but wanted to give it for Christmas, not later.
Very well done and meaningful. What a wonderful lesson for us all. Our whole family enjoyed it from our five year old up. Thank you for making it available online to watch again.
Excellent!!!!!!! This show has brought out some deep feeling I’ll always have for the nature of New Mexico. Thanks PBS
I am vegetarian so that wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, bears,coyotes, may live
Fantastic program! The storytelling format was a departure from the usual Nature format and made it all the more entertaining to watch. I have already added Seton’s “Wild Animals I Have Known” to my Christmas list to learn more about Lobo and the man.
Wow! Thanks for this inspiring program. It touched me deeply and i have been researching this incredible story since this program aired a few days ago. I was horrified to read another account of the killing of Blanca, Lobo’s mate, here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lobo_the_King_of_Currumpaw
At least Seton was strong enough to reflect on his actions and change his attitude. Much good came as a result, and i hope that we can all learn from Seton’s experience.
Seton’s story was introduced into our family several generations ago. We were always deeply moved by it. It taught us that animals have a soul, and to not take that soul lightly, but to respect it. I was so pleased that you did this program.
I was so moved by this documentary that I have decided to spend a weekend in late January at the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota to learn more about the wolf & its way of life. Thanks for putting this program together. It definitely confirms my thoughts that all animals have a soul & that we are the caretakers of their lives.
This was a really really great program. It shows that we really need to preserve the wolf population and other endangered species as well and this coming from a man that killed wolves shows that people can really change their perspectives on how we view all animals whether they’re predators or not
Wow, what a great story. I found out that I still have tear ducts after all these years. Perhaps this video could thaw the cold hearts of those who still seek to destroy this amazing creature?
IT S V E R Y N I C E
This was one of the best, well put together,nature stories I’ve seen in a long time. Excellent!
Great program. I only wish that the program had made clear that a very important reason for reintroduction of the wolf and other large predators is that the entire ecosystem depends on large predators being a part of it. When they are not there things get out of balance very quickly. This is very true on the east coast where no large predators exist.
“I am vegetarian so that wolves, bobcats, mountain lions, bears,coyotes, may live” Yeah we eat so many Wolves around here Im tired of them looking for some coyote…Oh give me a break, Billions of Chickens a day die, millions of cattle die daily, I dont think you make a difference. Wolves are absolutely an outstanding animal, Im a hunter but not a killer. Great program.
My Grandfather, Julian Salomon, attended Seton’s camp in Cos Cob, CT around the turn of the century and was a member of the Woodcraft Indians. The summer camp I attended, Tanager Lodge, was founded by another Seton disciple (and Grandad’s best friend), Fey Welch, where they carried on the traditions of the Woodcraft Indians.
One of the things that always stuck with me over the years was the 12 Woodcraft Laws:
1. Be clean, both yourself and the place you live in.
2. Be strong, understand and respect your body.
3. Protect all harmless wildlife, conserve the trees and flowers.
4. Hold your word of honor sacred.
5. Play fair, for foul play is treachery
6. Worship the Great Spirit and respect all worship of him by others. (There’s novel concept)
7. Be brave, for courage is the noblest of all gifts.
8. Respect your elders and otherwise show them deference.
9. Obey. Obedience is the first duty of the Woodcrafter.
10. Be kind. Do at least one act of un-bartered service daily.
11. Be helpful. Do your share of the work.
12. Be joyful. Seek the joys of being alive.
I spent 5 summers there in the mid 1970s and I can still recite them.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Lisa #9
Actually,the horrific murder of Lobo’s mate Blanca was described in the Seton story as follows at the Baldwin Project site:
“We each threw a lasso over the neck of the doomed wolf, and strained our horses in opposite directions until the blood burst from her mouth, her eyes glazed, her limbs stiffened and then fell limp.”
http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=seton&book=wild&story=lobo
I read this story as a small child & my tears just poured at this scene,Lobo’s reaction & how the story ended.It still brings tears.How anyone could do such a heinous thing to a living creature who was just trying to survive the way nature intended is beyond me. Man is indeed the most dangerous creature on the planet. And Gov. Palin has sanctioned killing wolves from helicopters in Alaska.They even allow killing pups in their dens. http://tinyurl.com/6bn3kk We really haven’t come all that far have we?
PLEASE SUPPORT DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE
This was excellent. It was a tear jerker for me. All the way through I wished for a happy ending but I knew the “irony of life and death would prevail.It really upsets me that we as “man” believe we actually have the right to say who or what is evil or good and destroy that accordingly. As my grandfather used say “If you want to see the devil; look in the mirror. Seton found out the hard way that this old saying was true of himself.
Check out the Seton Legacy Project at http://www.aloveoflearning.org
for important info about the entire Seton Legacy.
Your program was excellent. Seeing Lobo die in dignity I am reminded of the beautiful poem by Alfred De Vigny: the death of a wolf(La Mort du Loup),part of it could serve to describe Lobo death. You will be able to get a copy of the poem with a poor translation in English by googling “La Mort du Loup”.
Hoi, waarom praten jullie allemaal Engels. Ik praat tenminste nog fatsoendelijk Nederlands.
A sad story but things like animals can change our lifes forever. Our life is animals if we kill for fun you are the monster not the animal! You might think I am wrong but look at nature for your self wach the Deer the Elk or what ever animal you will see life. Seten was the father of nature and BSA (Boy Scouts of Amaica).
those wolfs look scary they are bigger than my bulldog and she fights other dogs ang wins but we give hewr a spacen
Here’s Alfred De Vigny’s poem: the death of a wolf(La Mort du Loup
http://www.brindin.com/pfvigmor.htm
It does indeed remind you of the death of Lobo
It is easy for me to understand the conflict within Ernest Thompson Seton; my own father grew up on the plains of Wyoming, where as a young man he broke colts, hunted deer and elk (his family raised cattle but sold them for cash and ate primarily venison), and trapped fur-bearers to make money. And I still recall reading “Wild Animals I Have Known” as a child, and I spend part of each summer in Wyoming with my grandparents; it was a wonderful part of my childhood.
But as an adult my father became more in touch with the beauty of nature, as the west we loved became overrun with “progress”; my father was an avid fisherman well into adulthood but he stopped hunting, and he preferred to walk rather than drive.
I am thankful I got to spend so much time in the “wilderness” with my father, but I am glad that most people of we westerners now realize that we can’t continue to exploit nature, that as Aldo Leopold, the father of the Gila Wilderness wrote, the deer may fear the wolf, but the mountain fears the deer.
And like most New Mexicans, I wholeheartedly support the re-introduction of the Mexican gray wolf in New Mexico, a program which has languished horridly during the Bush administration, and I also wholeheartedly support the Citizen’s Plan to increase our wilderness lands in NM; for more information see http://www.nmwild.org.
This is tragedy with a constructive ending; a nice story, told well.
This is AWESOME! Great Video! 5 Stars.
Good viedo…sad…4 stars
I cried and cried. The brokenhearted Lobo dies, taking with him the spirit of his wilderness.
My home too is gone. I watch California, once deep and rich with flora and fauna, die. The flowers of my childhood are extinct, the seashells are gone, the streams are dry – all replaced by weeds and ignorant trackhomes.
My mother was raised on abalone and salmon – and fed the extra to the chickens. They are all gone and so is the spirit that was California of her time.
Poor Lobo watched as the immigrants and invaders swept away his home and took even his beloved Blanca.
Truly, PBS has been a window to a wider for my entire life. Thanks you PBS – I hope to leave my inheritance to you PBS someday.
When will men learn that all animals (humans included) experience love. It is what we were create out of and is the common thread between all living creatures. Why does the human species think it has the right to take that away from animals? When will we learn to share this world out of nothing but pure love?
I sincerely hope that Ernest Thompson Seton went to HELL for killing wolves and everything else that he wanted. Not only do I hate Seaton for this MURDER, but I hate ALL ranchers and refuse to buy any of their bloody product. To HELL with all of them. I have never felt so incensed.
“Yellowbird” why do you hate Seton? he is the reason we still have some love for nature left on the earth. I know it took him killing a lot of it before he realized what was wrong with what he was doing but at least now we have some laws (thanks to him) which out law killing of wild animals. I really feel we need to show films like this to governor of Alaska. How cruel of her and her people who sit of wolf/ bear skin to give a interview on national TV.
Very good film. I hope we revive back to all the natural resources we had 100-200 years back in this country and the world.
i hope this voied and i think this
movei
love esmeralda
[...] can watch The Wolf That Changed America [...]
“The Wolf That Changed America” was beautifully produced, and F. Murray Abraham did an amazing job of narrating, considering how heart-breaking the story was. He’s just a truly great actor who never lets his feelings interfere with telling the story in an objective manner. I love to look at animals, especially wolves and bears, as well as outdoor scenery, but oftentimes their stories are just too devastating for an animal lover like me. Can’t we have a cheerful or hopeful story about wolves sometime soon? Maybe one about someone who adopted wolves, made great pets out of them, saved their offspring? That would be so much better than downers that tell all about animals eating each other.
A fantastic Nature program! I showed to my life science classes. Typically,my students don’t really watch educational programs with alot of focus, but this one is different! I attended UNM and played football for a short time in 70’s and never knew the significance of of the Lobo, now I understand! I and my students really enjoyed the story and the great outdoors. A wonderful educational video! Dr. Kevin R. Linam, Science Teacher, Atmore, Alabama
Has anyone compiled a report on the range/ranch where Seton trapped Lobo? This would make a great PBS program on its own. I hope someone has considered this! Thank you.
I have dealt with wolves on a daily basis for 23 years. I live in the mountains in northern Nevada and I presently live with 15 of them. Like Seton & Smith, I know first hand the social, ecological, and physcial value of wolves. Our hatred for wolves today is based on conditions and fabrications of the past. It is verifiable fact that their presence in the wild has had sigificant benefits beyond what anyone first thought when reintroduction of them was first considered. Wolves are an essential peice of Mother Nature’s complicated puzzle, and are to be recognized for their contribution to it. Without all the parts of nature in play, ecological imbalances naturally occur. With the vast number of ecological imbalances of today, we are undermining the environment in which we live, and jeopardizing our future on this earth.
Contact: Bill@uswolfrefuge.org
this was awesome i love it i know that Lobo and Blonka are happy in heaven today.
Lobo, a true American martyr. What an amazing spirit. But without Seton, the messenger, we would know nothing about Lobo. They are both play equally important roles in this story.
A sad but grate story.. This film is a real eye opener.
Wow! An amazing story that I’ll have to share w/my grandfather, my hero and ultimate example of a true animal lover. Many lessons to be learned from this story, respect for the beauty, intelligence and innocents of nature, our responsibility to creatures that don’t have the power to ultimatly protect themselves from humans devastating actions and idealogy, the great power that the loss of love can cripple us by, and the power that love instills in us. Thank you PBS for having this available online so I can share it with all of my friends and family. And yes ‘naturelover’ I agree please would someone share this with the Gov. of Alaska and all those in positions of like power. For god sake I want to be a grandfather someday and it breaks my heart to think that any part of nature will be out of reach to my grandchildren.
I was very sad when Seton almost killed Lobo. I thought he would. When he didn’t kill Lobo, I cried. When Lobo died for real, I cried more.
A captivating story.I have always been fasinated by wolves and nature. Thankyou PBS
This both ticked me off and made me cry. I know he was trying to atone for his sin, but the wolf was the one who won and had the soul. Grief can kill an animal’s soul and will to live, just like it does our. Another point that shows animals and nature as far smarter than humans will ever be. Just my opinion!
I’m Mexican I can’t understad all but I realize that it’s an amazing and powerful history.
Thanks
I love learning more and more of this amazing creation(Wolves) so misunderstood and yet still honored by some. Please show more great Nature films.thanks.
The story is there; and the lesson that can be learned from this account isn’t all that hard. It’s having the willingness to REALIZE that this existing Earth isn’t “all about us” as in “this earth belongs to Us People and WE decide what can or can not share this space”. Wake up, Homo Sapiens; look around you. There’s becoming less & less of what once was. And we certainly have the Intelligence to fix that. That is, some of us do. Like Mr. Seton, those of us who do, can share what we know to educate others. Thank you, PBS, for sharing these films & documentaries for our learning.
this story changed my life for the better
This is such a beautiful story and yes a definite tear jerker. I don’t believe Mr. Seton ever attempted to allow Lobo to live because how then would he collect his bounty. I believe after he killed or allowed the defenseless (trapped) Lobo to die God allow him to see the error of his way. God show him what an absolute idiot he had been. How could he, an alleged naturalist, have hunted and killed/contributed to the death of such an absolutely beautiful, intelligent creature. We humans are ordained to have dominion over these, as well as all other, creatures and as such we are the caretakers… Mr. Seton was correct in casting Lobo as the honorable one in his story…
I appreciate the redemption of Mr. Seton in that, he never murdered another wolf, he dedicated the remainder of his life to educating the rest of us, the story still caused me to cry and made me exceedingly angry with this Mr. Seton. Again, the love of money is the root of all evil. Not twenty five pieces of silver this time but a thousand, dirty, U.S. dollars.
I cried like no other during this series. Ugh. It was so depressing. :(
It really sucks that it takes the killing of a beautiful creature like Lobo and Blanca to bring about the kinda of change that was needed, so I can only hope thier sacrafice was not in vain. Shame on you cattle ranchers that still to this day cant understand that all of Gods creatures have the right to exist. Thank you PBS I really enjoyed the film.
Shame on you ranchers that still to this day advocate the killing of wolves. They were here before us. We have no right to kill them. If they kill your cattle invest in a better fence or MOVE. Don’t expect a predator animal not to follow its natural instincts. We are not the only creatures on earth with rights to it. Every creature has the right to live free the way nature intended.
Everyone should see this as it is one of the most touching examples of why we need to leave this place better than we found it. I am very impressed with this whole PBS site.
heartbreaking and wake up call for all. Let’s stop Sarah Palin now and go to Defenders of wildlife and take action of her ariel shootings now. Save our precious wolfs now!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have always respected the way of the wolf. Wolves are ment to thrive and live in the wilderness alone. I have always had a Passion for wolves ever since i was born. I am inspired every day by my dog because her mom was a wolf aswell, just like Blanca. I now really know how Seton must have felt with Lobo.
I am not even half a conservationist, and still unsure how much protections wolves desever, but I am touched by Seton’s reflection upon nature, and his poetic portraits of his thought and emotion. Thank you!
This show is the only one that makes me actually cry. Poor Blanca and Lobo… I love wolves so much. T_T
Emotional, meaningful, educational, beautiful, Brilliant! I would have to say wolves are the most fascinating creatures on this planet, we need to see more of them! I give this film top rating. Thank you PBS/Nature! Oh yeah, Sausha Seus, you did an excellent job!
I dont think I could watch that show again about Lobo. It was just to sad for me and I hate to be sad. I cryed when Lobo died I cant stand to see the life of an animal taken away.
Wow i never herd about this story i know about colege football and new mexico. This was a good show i would love to see more like them.
Now I know what the University mascot is all about. This is another incredible story about people ineviteably being deeply touched after the observance of wolves. Seton is as valuable to this country as any other Americans. Bless our national park systems!
lobo was very intresting even how he got caght even though i a eleven it is intresting
[...] Caveat: If you want to see the PBS video first before reading the spoiler reviews, please see it here before reading any [...]
respect the wolves habitat
People need to respect wolves! there is no reason in shooting one. For example in the show, “Wolf’s rain” there is a man with a half dog named blue, who hunts down wolves but in the end, he regrets what he has done. this is just like seton, when he regreted killing lobo and blanca!
So very sad, I couldn’t help but tear up especially because I have a mixed breed dog that looks pretty wolfy, and I’ve met several wolf hybrids (not that I promote that) who are just the sweetest dogs.
I’ve always been fascinated with wolves and hope that many others see this video. Fantastically done.
What a great story. Those ignorant individuals who are using helicopters to hunt wolves in Alaska need to watch this!
The wolf has been one of my favorites forever. There is just something about the wolf… Anyway, the video is beyond words, it’s so amazing . Anyone with a heart would cry. I give it 5 out of 5 stars without having to think about it! I’m devoted to the wolf, I never have, or will, kill a wolf, the worlds most inspiaring creature. Seton may be one of the best men ever known, and Lobo the best wolf ever known. I’m getting that book right away!!! As for the wolf with all its dignity, live… free.
I was heart broken to see how Seton was trying to kill the wolf. I had a wolf he was one of the Best Animals I ever had, He Loved Me and my Family and was very Protective of us. It was one of the saddest days of my Life when I had to put my Bo (Wolf) down. I still think of him and become very sad. I will never be able to replace him. Barb Nezgoda
Howdy, I own two runtly hybrids and they are just sweethearts. My Chow Shepard cross is lots more aggressive.They have human eyes which can look into your soul. You can’t forget they are wild at heart tho’(AS IS EVERY ANIMAL INCLUDING PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO SHOWTIME). They were bounty hunted out in the West and they know man and guns. In back woods ex-USSR the un-armed folks truly do fear being chased down and eaten. No guns = No fear. Wolves or politicians need to be loved but not let out of your sight. If they DO go bad, they should be put down, before more blood is let. If you have enough room and time for a life mate, not a possession, come on over to “Wolf dogs need homes” a social site that fosters out adoptable wolves and hybrids.
Never underestimate the power of one.
I loved Lobo’s story, it was touching and sad, but I have always loved animals, especially wolves so my view of them hasnt changed. I think that wolves are beautiful creatures and if we look closely enough they reflect alot of behaviors that we humans do, such as playing, eating, and even spending time with the family. They deserve to live as nature intended them to…in peace. If only everyone could think like most of us and learn to value and protect the Wolves, I belive if they did they could see a better perspective of the animals in this world…maybe then there wouldnt be so many endangered species and we wouldnt be losing the animals we love so much…
This was absolutely beautiful! I love animals and it was great to see the similarities between wolves and humans. I did not know about Earnest Thompson Seaton before, it seems that his encounter with Lobo was meant to be…because it lead him to become a protector of nature and wildlife.
I am thankful for his work and all other people who are still fighting to protect the land we live in and the wildlife. People need to respect mother earth and all of its children.
thanks for the video, I wonder when will ever learn we can live in harmonywith animals and nature Once its gone will never get it back. The man who spoke for the wolves today thank you what a great job you have. its a shame this isnt in the schools more..
Video is awesome. Touches your heart as you hear the story and amazing of how the relationship between a wolf and man changes. Learn to come about,its sad that Lobo died because of a broken heart
Absolutley beautiful, awesome and inspiring story.
Is there a parallel between this story and Cloud, Challenge of the Stallions, Airing in October here on PBS, and the previous 2 Cloud shows?
I think so.
Same intruder – cattle, but also mining, drilling, all sorts of stuff…
Maybe there will be another “awakening” to what is occuring to our wilderness, one can only pray and work for such a day.
For as already said by karen gohler above “Once its gone will never get it back.” The Wild Horse is another symbol of the destruction of our Public Lands, for greed and profit. INCORRECTLY portrayed as a varment, INCORRECTLY portrrayed as starving to death, INCORRECTLY portrayed as damanging the ecosystem, by those that want the land.
Its all tied together – “see UTubes “Bush, Oil and Wild Horses” and two other UTubes “Robert Redford – BLM”.
I Jay Mize was the first to legally kill and tag a wolf in the great state of Idaho and proud of it.
You can see my story on youtube (wolf that cried boy)
Totally awesome thanks for the story, unfortunately we have some that rather kill our animals than live by them, if they only knew why the animals was in their presence they would think a lot different than they do..what goes around comes around