While wolf opponents and supporters battle, "Cost of Freedom" takes viewers on a journey into the wilds of Idaho to track the "White Cloud Pack." The pack’s struggle for survival illustrates remarkable similarities to human nature, encouraging a deeper understanding of this fascinating social predator as the true cost of freedom is revealed.

35 minutes
US Release Date: 2003
Copyright Date: 2003

MERIT AWARD FOR CONSERVATION ADVOCACY
26th International Wildlife Film Festival, 2003

FINALIST
26th International Wildlife Film Festival, 2003

Award-winning filmmaker and Author, President of the Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network.

"COST OF FREEDOM is a documentary deserving the widest of audiences, especially where public officials are considering reintroduction of carnivores. It reveals the troubling and intrusive practices currently involved with wolf reintroduction in Idaho and the difficulties of protecting these animals in the face of public ignorance and hostility.

The treatment of the wolves by government agents was shocking; even more so were the attitudes of local citizens who would simply like to see the wolves wiped out. "Cost of Freedom" casts a harsh shadow on efforts to delist wolves from the Endangered Species rolls. Clearly, these animals need more protection, not less.

But they also need to be allowed to be wild animals. Whatever the intentions, highly intrusive activities by government agencies don’t seem to be the best way to restore and protect carnivores. The real issue is changing public attitudes so that these wonderful animals can be allowed to live and flourish.

Vanessa Schulz is a terrific filmmaker whose work makes us think and question, and "Cost of Freedom" is yet another example of her talent, compassion and courage. Don’t miss it."

Documentary examines wolf reintroduction

In his essay "Thinking Like a Mountain," from "A Sand County Almanac," conservationist Aldo Leopold recounts how he came to understand the crucial role of wolves in ecosystems and the need to restore their populations in the wild. Now, fifty years later, many people, organizations and government agencies are realizing the truth to Leopold’s words and are working with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to restore wolves in the West. But, there is a dark side to wolves’ livelihood. Once called Animal Damage Control, now called Wildlife Services, this arm of the federal government kills wildlife. Lots and lots of wildlife – to the tune of over 4 milion birds and mammals last year alone.

Federal and state laws give Wildlife Services their power to shoot, trap and poison any wild creature deemed a nuisance or threat to crops or livestock. The wolves in Idaho and Montana are no exception. Last year Wildlife Services killed 7 of Idaho’s wolves, mainly for livestock depredation.

"Cost of Freedom," A new documentary by Ketchum filmmaker Vanessa Schulz, explores this seemingly incongruous concept of killing wolves while simultaneously trying to replenish their population.

Schulz conceived of "Cost of Freedom" in 1999 while filming a video against trapping entitled "Cull of the Wild" for the Animal Protection Institute. In the course of making that film she learned of Idaho’s wolf reintroduction program. When she discovered that "kill orders" were being issued for some wolves and many other wolves were being trapped or darted to fit with radio collars or relocate, all under a cloak of secrecy on public lands, Schulz knew she found the subject of her next film.

Idaho’s first wolves were released in 1995. Today, approximately 260 wolves call Idaho home – a definite success story. But, according to Schulz her film captures the covert mistreatment of wolf populations in Idaho and Montana under the reintroduction program. In addition to Wildlife Services legally killing wolves, Schulz also explores a rural backlash resulting in wolves being illegally poisoned and shot. Schulz also points out that the Idaho Legislature adopted a resolution calling for the removal of all wolves from the state "by whatever means necessary" – a move that is a slap in the face to the thousands of people working to restore wolves to their natural habitat and the hundreds of thousands of people who want wolves to exist and thrive in the wild.