Although they usually trot along at 5 mph, wolves can attain speeds as high as 45 mph. Wolves prey on ungulates - elk, deer, moose, bison and caribou. Wolves focus their hunt on the weakest among these animals - culling the old, sick, injured or young from ungulate herds, which helps keep these herds healthier as a whole. Of course, wolves are opportunists and will sometimes kill healthy animals if safe opportunities arise. Hunting elk and moose is dangerous as one kick can result in a broken leg or other injuries leading to the death of the wolf.
Wolves support a wide variety of other animals.
Ravens, foxes, coyotes, martins, wolverines, vultures, and even bears and eagles feed on the remains of animals killed by wolves. Raven and wolves appear to have developed a special relationship - ravens scavenge from wolf kills and also serve to alert wolves when they sense danger nearby. Wolves are also scavengers - eating winter killed prey in addition to hunting their food. With little alternative, the wolf then turned to the sheep and cattle that had replaced its natural prey. To protect livestock, ranchers and government agencies began a campaign to eliminate the wolf.