Worshipped for centuries in Japan as a divine messenger and protector of farmland, the Japanese wolf disappeared from the archipelago in the early 20th century after its population was decimated by disease and humans hunting them down in the name of defending livestock.
Its tragic fate, however, along with the lingering mystery over its true identity and even reports of modern-day sightings, has kept the beast alive in the minds of many. Now, a new study says the legendary animal may offer the key to understanding the origins of man’s best friend.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.