10 Theories Explaining Why the Mighty Dire Wolf Went Extinct

4. The Role of Human Activity

The arrival of humans in North America coincided with the decline of many megafaunal species, including the dire wolf. Early humans, equipped with advanced hunting tools and strategies, significantly impacted local ecosystems. As skilled hunters, they targeted large herbivores, directly competing with dire wolves for prey. Moreover, human activities may have led to habitat destruction and fragmentation, further stressing dire wolf populations. Some researchers propose that the combined pressures of direct competition and habitat alteration by humans created insurmountable challenges for the dire wolves, hastening their extinction. This hypothesis highlights the profound impact of human expansion on prehistoric ecosystems.