Wolves - Recovery
Yellowstone Park wolf recovery on right track
- from Park County (Montana) Visitor's guide 2000
The howl of the gray wolf can now be heard in Yellowstone National Park.
It's been four years since Yellowstone's wolf reintroduction effort began, and officials involved in the program say it has been wildly successful.
"The wolves are doing fine. The people are still fighting, but the wolves are doing great," said Ed Bangs, wolf recovery leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Helena.
According to Bangs, wolves are fast on their way to recovery under the federal Endangered Species Act. Still, some controversy remains over reintroduction of the predator , humans eradicated from Yellowstone for nearly 60 years.
In December 1997, a federal judge in Wyoming ruled that the method federal agencies used to reintroduce the predators, which was designed as a compromise to accommodate ranchers, violates the Endangered Species Act.. He ordered that the illegally restored wolves be removed, but, expecting an appeal, postponed having it carried out.
Ranching and agricultural groups applauded the decision. The U.S. Department of the Interior and environmental groups have appealed the ruling.
Despite the political difficulties, the wolves themselves have been thriving.
Wolves generally prey on elk and other animals in the park and have set up dens through out Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres. Bangs said biologists expected eight breeding pairs to produce pups in the park this year.
This is close to the project's recovery goal of 10 breeding wolf packs in three areas - the, Greater Yellowstone area, central Idaho and northwest Montana The packs must produce pups annually for three consecutive years to be considered recovered.
"This was potentially the first year we had to have 10 breeding pairs in any area," Bangs said. He added that the program may beat its tar- get year for delisting - making it in 2001 rather than 2002.
"In the end, we expect to have 300 wolves total," 100 wolves per area, Bangs said.
Environmentalists and wildlife enthusiasts are not the only ones pleased with the return of the wolf -area tourist -based businesses have benefited from the wolves' popularity.
Merchants have cashed in on T- shirts, books, videos and other items dealing with the recovery.
Motel managers have said they have experienced a surge in spring visitors, traditionally one "of the weak points of the year, as spring is considered one of the prime times of the year to see wolves in the park.
Last spring, the wolves were especially visible in the Lamar Valley. The Rose Creek Pack alpha female chose a den in a meadow a half mile away from the road, providing a clear view to the early lives of the pups for anyone with good binoculars.
Also, Druid peak Pack members were often seen in the Lamar Valley that spring. Bangs said there is a good chance the wolves will return to these highly visible sites.
Wolves often den in the same spot year after year, according to Bangs. In rock dens, wolves have been known to use the same place for decades, passing it down each generation.
"Probably the number one place the world to see wolves is the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park," Bangs said. "It is phenomenal."
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