Wolf Reintroduction
The wolf is one of the world's most compelling and controversial animals. It has captured the imaginations of both its friends and foes, throughout history and across cultures. Wolves are highly intelligent and adaptable. They hunt and play together in close-knit packs, and sometimes roam over hundreds of square miles in search of food.
Although wolves once teetered on the brink of extinction, they have made a tremendous comeback in recent years thanks to legal protection, changing human attitudes, and efforts to reintroduce them to suitable habitats in North America.
Wolf Reintroduction Program
Although once abundant over much of Eurasia and North America, the Grey Wolf now inhabits only a very small portion of its former range as a result of widespread human encroachment and destruction of its habitat. In 1995, Yellowstone National Park began a controversial but ultimately successful wolf reintroduction program.
Wolf reintroduction involves the artificial reestablishment of a population of wolves into an area from which it had previously been eradicated. Wolf reintroduction is only considered where large tracts of suitable wilderness still exist and where certain prey species are abundant enough to support a predetermined wolf population.
Wolf Eradication (Or Possibly Near Extinction)
Local industry and environmental groups struggled for years over the decision to reintroduce the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf into the Yellowstone area. This subspecies of the Grey Wolf was originally abundant and native to Yellowstone National Park.
Thousands of Grey Wolves roamed the Rocky Mountains before being eliminated from most of the West by the 1930’s. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the widespread killing of wolves resulted in their near extinction in the Yellowstone area. The killing of wolves was legally sanctioned in the region until 1926. By that time, however, their numbers had been almost fully eradicated.
Eradication Leading To Ecosystem Imbalance
Because wolves were at the top of the food pyramid, their destruction ultimately led to a serious imbalance in the ecosystem. Wolves in the region were known to prey mostly on elk, but they also pursued moose, deer, sheep and other animals.
Because of the disappearance of the wolf, populations of elk and other large prey animals soared out of control, and new growth vegetation, including upland aspen and riparian cottonwood, suffered because of over-grazing. The resulting imbalance also affected the habitats of many other plant and animal species throughout the park.
Particulars of the Reintroduction Program
The Grey Wolf was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 1973. In 1995 and 1996, sixty-six wolves were captured in British Columbia, Canada and reintroduced into Yellowstone as part of the wolf reintroduction program. Each wolf was radio-collared when captured. These animals all began their reintroduction process in penned areas for 8 to 10 weeks, where they could be monitored by rangers and scientists with minimal human contact.
Although concerns were expressed about the wolves becoming habituated to humans or to the conditions of captivity (as has often happened with populations of grizzly bears), they proved unfounded since wolves, while social among their own kind, typically avoid human contact.
Success
The introduced wolves have done remarkably well and have begun to reproduce at a rapid rate. As of 2005, an estimated 1,500 wolves were believed to live in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, including over 325 in the Yellowstone area. Packs, which are closely monitored by the Fish and Wildlife Service, are now located in various parts of Yellowstone National Park.
In spite of concerns, there has been little impact on farm stock. When their natural prey is plentiful, wolves have no desire to come near humans. Ongoing safeguards have prevented loss to nearby farmers. In the few small cases of loss, farmers are immediately compensated. The National Parks Board continues to work with farmers to ensure safety of their stock.
Increase in Biodiversity
The reintroduction of wolves has reportedly increased biodiversity within Yellowstone National Park. Along with (and partly resulting from) an increase in new-growth vegetation that has resulted from the reduction in elk numbers, both beaver populations (which had also become extinct from the park) and red fox populations have recovered remarkably. This is probably the direct result of wolves now keeping populations of coyote under control.
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