25 Years Ago, Wolves Were Re-Introduced To Wyoming In A Controversial Move That Affects The State Today
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Kim Magaraci
Author
When Yellowstone National Park was founded in 1878, gray wolves were part of the unique ecosystem that attracted visitors and nature lovers from all over the country. Despite the creation of the park, wolves were still subject to government predator control programs, and in 1926, the last wolves of Yellowstone were hunted and killed. By the 1940s, wolves had been effectively eliminated from the lower 48 states thanks to efforts by ranchers, farmers, and the federal government. When the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, conservationists began a campaign to bring wild wolves back to northwestern Wyoming.
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The Druids grew to about 40 wolves, making it one of the largest wolfpacks ever recorded. This world-famous pack slowly dwindled in number in the 2010s due to a pack-wide mange that devastated and weakened the wolves. Many split off to head different packs as the Druids pack dissolved. The last original member of the Druid pack met his end when he was shot (legally) by a hunter in Montana, just outside the park boundary.
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By the late 2000s, gray wolf populations had been successfully reintroduced, meeting the goals of the original Wolf Recovery Plan. In May 2008, gray wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the Endangered Species List, and their status was changed. In response, Idaho and Montana introduced hunting seasons on the gray wolf, and Montana held the first one in 2009.
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To help combat the effects on the ranchers, millions of dollars of federal subsidies have been allocated to farmers in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Additionally, a private Defenders of Wildlife Wolf Compensation Trust was established by concerned citizens. Their donations and fundraisers have awarded more than $1.3 million to ranchers affected by wolves.
To the ranchers, monetary compensation is not enough. Thousands of cattle and sheep have been killed by wolves and other apex predators, and the cost of protecting herds has increased. Additionally, compensation for livestock can be difficult to apply for and takes time to receive. To many, the hassle of having wolves around is not worth it, and poaching is common.
To the ranchers, monetary compensation is not enough. Thousands of cattle and sheep have been killed by wolves and other apex predators, and the cost of protecting herds has increased. Additionally, compensation for livestock can be difficult to apply for and takes time to receive. To many, the hassle of having wolves around is not worth it, and poaching is common.
Researchers track wolf packs daily from the ground and from the air, studying pack movement, predation patterns, inter-species behavior, and more. Wolves within the park help maintain a balance by hunting elk, pronghorn, and mule deer that had risen to unsustainable populations before wolves were reintroduced.
Since the wolves have returned, the balance of the park has shifted dramatically. Yellowstone's Coyote population was once the most dense in the world, but now their packs have gotten smaller and their hunting range has changed. There are more foxes now that the Coyotes have changed their behavior. One odd impact is that the beaver population and presence of beaver dams has increased tremendously. This is thought to be caused by the fact that moose and elk have to spread out more, rather than concentrating on certain areas and eating up all the willows the beavers would use to build dams.
Since the wolves have returned, the balance of the park has shifted dramatically. Yellowstone's Coyote population was once the most dense in the world, but now their packs have gotten smaller and their hunting range has changed. There are more foxes now that the Coyotes have changed their behavior. One odd impact is that the beaver population and presence of beaver dams has increased tremendously. This is thought to be caused by the fact that moose and elk have to spread out more, rather than concentrating on certain areas and eating up all the willows the beavers would use to build dams.
The Yellowstone Forever Institute offers wolf programs that will teach you about this impressive apex predator and take you on tours where you might spot them yourself.
Everyone who lives out here in the Cowboy State has an opinion on wolves! Let’s talk about it in the comments below.
You can learn more about the wolves of Yellowstone National Park on their Gray Wolf website, here.
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