Wolf Reintroduction
The last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone was killed in 1926, but despite much opposition, the gray wolf was finally reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park 69 years later.
- Wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995.
- Current number of wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area is approximately 325.
- Although all wildlife is protected while within the boundaries of the Park, wolves were taken off the Endangered Species list in the surrounding states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
History
Prior to the early 1900’s, wolves roamed most of North America. However, due to human fear of wolves, whether actually warranted or not, they were hunted nearly to extinction by the mid 1900’s.
As a result, gray wolves in the lower 48 states were placed on the endangered species list in 1973. At that same time, efforts began to try to increase the number of gray wolves living in the wild.
Reintroduction Efforts
1995 – With the release of 14 wolves from Alaska, and British Columbia, Canada, the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park began.
1996 – Another 17 wolves were released into Yellowstone.
2003 - Gray wolves throughout the eastern and western United States were down listed from endangered to threatened status. All wildlife is protected while within the boundaries of the Park, but when wolves’ territorial travels take them outside Park boundaries, they can become threatened.
2005 – Estimates of wolf populations in the Greater Yellowstone area is 325.
Controversy
The reintroduction of wolves has been a highly debated issue for years. The decision to reintroduce wolves has incited outcry among hunters and ranchers as well as the states of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. At the same time, it has been praised by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, environmental groups, and biologists.
Critics of the program have raised a number of concerns. One of the main issues is ranchers' fears of possible loss of livestock.
The Idaho state government opposed the reintroduction of wolves into the state of Idaho, which borders Yellowstone National Park, and many Idaho citizens feel as if the wolves were forced onto the state by the federal government.
In order to quiet the political battle between ranchers and conservationists the federal government agreed to remove the wolf from the Endangered Species list and allow state management of the species if Idaho.
The return of the only species known to be missing from the world's first national park for the past half-century has been a milestone in ecological restoration even though the management of wolves outside the Park continues to be an issue for debate.
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