Shaun Ellis

This talk is specifically aimed at the business community. Shaun feels very strongly that people learn best by stories that have meaning, not by lectures. In management terms, a wolf pack behaves and acts exactly like a well managed company. There are so many similarities in how the two have to adapt and change to circumstances that it is impossible for managers not to learn new ideas, relearn management basics and be motivated to perform better. 

Shaun's key messages include:

• The Pack has clearly defined goals, expansion strategies, a hierarchy with specific roles and functions and crisis management solutions.
• Constantly revaluates itself in order to obtain maximum return from the marketplace in which it operates.
• Grows, consolidates or rationalises depending on territory and trading conditions.
• Has clearly defined procedures for internal and external takeovers and change management.
• Trains, motivates, adopts specialist functions, recruits, promotes and disciplines.
• Is more disciplined than most companies in terms of departmental integration, role recognition, reward and even use of older employees.

First Encounters with Wildlife

Throughout his life, Shaun has dedicated much of his time to studying and researching the behaviour of wild wolves by living among them, which has given him a one of a kind insight into the complex society of the wolf. 

As a child growing up in a rural farming community, there were few other children for Shaun to bond with. This lack of a peer group caused him to look to the countryside wildlife for friendship.

He felt at home in the woodland at night and learned to use his sense of smell and hearing to find his way around in the darkness. He bonded with the badgers and foxes, and soon they became relaxed and fearless in his presence.  He was privileged to be allowed to watch their family groups and to study their behaviour.

Wolves in the USA

In later years his determination and perseverance paid dividends when a chance encounter with a Native American biologist at a wolf seminar allowed him to become a volunteer, and he joined a project studying wolves at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in Idaho. During the day he worked with his fellow students under the guidance of the Nez Perce Native Americans and by night he observed alone.

It was while working here in up to 3 feet of snow, that Shaun realised that the best way to learn about wolves was to return to his childhood ways and live alongside them.

Believing that living alongside wolves is the best way to understand them Shaun immerses himself in wolf society.   He lives and behaves like them – howling, licking and snarling – even eating and playing like the wolves.  He has lived among captive wolf packs in England and spent seven years on the Nez Perce reservation in Idaho studying wolves. It was on the Nez Perce reservation that he first was able to get inside a pack of wolves and live among them.

Living With Wolves

His studies evolved as he began recording wild wolf howls in the woods, using recording equipment at night in freezing temperatures and snow, and then playing them back again and again the next day.   With patient listening, he learned how to pick out individual pack members through their distinctive sounds.

Through this direct study, he has learned how to communicate with the wolves and defend himself through scent and sounds. He understands scent markings as well as the different howls to defend and call. He believes that wolves are highly intelligent, highly instinctive animals brought up with trust and balance, characteristics that are often misunderstood by humans.

In 2005, three abandoned wolf pups led Shaun to make a daring move, raising a pack of wolves in captivity by living with them….as a wolf, teaching them by example how to survive in the wild.

A Man Among Wolves

The National Geographic documentary A Man Among Wolves presents the unique story of Shaun Ellis, a man who has given up everything, to take an unorthodox approach to understanding wolves every move – living and behaving like them.

He is involved  in a number of research projects both in Poland and at Yellowstone National Park, with the goal of developing humane methods to discourage wolves from entering areas of potential conflict with humans.

Author

Ellis is the author of The Wolf Talk (2003) and Spirit of the Wolf (2005)

Shaun continues to work with captive wolves in Combe Martin, Devon, England and continues to maintain an in-depth study into wolf behaviour. He and his colleagues are constantly discovering new sides to these fascinating creatures.

For further information or to book Shaun Ellis, call us on +44 (0) 20 8365 3200 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk