The symbolism of wolves

From Pacific Standard: "What is it about wolves that inspires fascination, fear, and also affection? Wolves abound in ancient myths, and now fairy tales of the big bad wolf are replaced with the fantasies of werewolves in popular films and fiction. The wolf is also the symbol of a shrinking wildness, living with other predators at the edges of the growing human footprint on the planet. Their presence is fearsome, but so is their absence, which may explain our ongoing national conflict over what to do with the wolves in our midst."