Susan - "Why blame the wolves for giving out Darwin Awards?"

Excellent turn of phrase.

Do you mind if I use that?

IMHO if we are to have wilderness we have to have wild animals. Animals that need predators present if they are to stay healthy long-term.

Humans can't, or won't, do the job. Evidenced by the simple fact hat hunters don't brag about how old, sick, emaciated and scraggly the animal they shot was. Hunters tend to try to shoot exactly the animals that should be living the longest and reproducing the most. The largest, biggest, healthiest animals they can draw a bead on.

Part of going into a wilderness area is not being perfectly safe. Living on their terms. Taking some risk because it is one of the few areas still out there where every facet hasn't been made to cater hand and foot to humans. If you are careless or foolish there is a good chance the wilderness will call you on it. I would prefer that the wilderness stay wild.

I realize I would see it differently if I, or a friend or relative, was the one getting lunched but at some level I think that joggers feeling the raw fear of being eaten is a good and healthy thing. Humans too easily fall into pride. Assuming we are the be all and end all of all things. Much healthier to realize that the universe does not care. That we are just another in a long string of animals that have dominated this sphere for a time. That if we don't play our cards right, or simply find ourselves unlucky, we could find ourselves on the menu. Possibly even 'as dead as the dodo'.

The FAA studied the last transmissions from airplane crashes. They noted that one of the most common noises made by the pilots, just prior to the obligatory 'OH SHI...', followed by deafening silence, was whistling. Optimistic, carefree, self-confident, self-assured whistling. The epitome of pride before the fall.

In survival if you find yourself feeling entirely confident and carefree, and/or whistling, you know your overlooking something. Fear is healthy. Wilderness, with large animals which could potentially see us as food, or a toy, helps keep us on our toes. A good thing.

Humans need something out there handing out 'Darwin awards'.