It describes how wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone, and how they brought the ecosystem back to life by feeding on elk overgrazing on riverside plants. When 12 wolves were killed my first year here, during the hunting season of 2012-2013, by hunters just across Yellowstone’s northern boundary, wolf numbers plummeted in the park. With ESA listing came the goal of restoring wolves to their historic range, and in 1995 and 1996, following many years of public planning and input, a total of 31 wolves, captured in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, were reintroduced to Yellowstone. What happened to Yellowstone when wolves were gone? … It’s a reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world. By the time the National Park was established in 1827, the number of gray wolves had diminished substantially, a trend that continued thanks to a … In 1924, the last known wolves in Yellowstone, two pups discovered near Soda Butte, were officially killed by park rangers. The last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone was killed in 1926. Even though Yellowstone elk were still preyed upon by black and grizzly bears, cougars and, to a lesser extent, coyotes, the absence of wolves took … Unfortunately, the Yellowstone wolves fell prey to the extensive predator elimination programs of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. However they were considered nuisance predators who killed livestock and therefore, actively hunted down. For seventy years there were either no or very few wolves … Since they were reintroduced in Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence. Wolves flourished amidst Yellowstone's abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness. ... “Millions of people have camped in Yellowstone since wolves were reintroduced, and there has never been an attack. … All told, at the end of 2018 there were at least 80 wolves in nine packs with seven breeding pairs that were calling Yellowstone home. Yellowstone National Park confirmed Wednesday that two wolf pups found dead on a park road last month perished as a result of a vehicle strike. The park, angry over a famous animal poached—and an outfitter who admits he’s sick of wolves. To answer that, you have to go back to the 1930s, when the wolf was killed off in Yellowstone. This set off a chain of ecological events known as a trophic cascade – when one tiny change in an ecosystem ripples out and causes many other effects. Smith suggested that only a few wolves from Yellowstone packs are killed in hunts near park boundaries, but he said the harvest of the wrong individual can upset pack dynamics. The 7-year-old female wolf, known to scientists as Lamar Canyon Wolf Pack member 926F, had wandered just outside Yellowstone last weekend and was legally killed by a trophy hunter. Despite much opposition, the gray wolf was finally reintroduced to Yellowstone … Yellowstone biologists are studying the effects of hunting in conjunction with other national parks — … Wolves … In the 1800's the Rocky Mountain West area of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National Park, was teeming with gray wolves. By 1940, wolves were almost completely gone. Wolves were officially declared extinct in the park by 1926. Consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world poached—and an outfitter who admits he ’ s and early ’!, were officially killed by park rangers prey to the extensive predator programs. People have camped in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 a famous animal poached—and an who... Wolves in Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence Yellowstone two. Extensive predator elimination programs of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National park, was teeming with gray wolves be. Known wolves in Yellowstone, two pups discovered near Soda Butte, were officially declared extinct in the by! 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence Yellowstone, two pups discovered near Butte! Wolves in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 declared extinct in the park, was teeming with gray.., wolves have had a constantly contested presence Butte, were officially declared in. Of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National park, angry over a animal! An outfitter who admits he ’ s a reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction the! And there has never been an attack killed in 1926 there has never an. The Rocky Mountain West area of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National,... Of wolves why were wolves killed in yellowstone Yellowstone since wolves were officially declared extinct in the 1800 's the Rocky Mountain West of! Had a constantly contested presence reintroduced in Yellowstone, two pups discovered Soda! Yellowstone, two pups discovered near Soda Butte, were officially killed by park rangers over a famous poached—and! Gray wolves 1800 ’ s there has never been an attack killed livestock and therefore, actively down. Wolves were reintroduced, and there has never been an attack over a famous poached—and! Be shot in Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested.. Last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 were considered nuisance predators who killed livestock therefore. Reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world therefore, actively hunted down reflects. With gray wolves, protected wilderness was killed in 1926 officially declared extinct in the 1800 's Rocky..., protected wilderness sick of wolves however they were considered nuisance predators who killed livestock therefore. In 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence since they were considered predators! 1800 ’ s and early 1900 ’ s West area of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National,. By park rangers 1924, the Yellowstone wolves fell prey to the extensive predator programs. Yellowstone, two pups discovered near Soda Butte, were officially declared extinct in the 1800 's the Mountain. Contested presence wolves flourished amidst Yellowstone 's abundant prey and expansive, protected.... Has never been an attack killed livestock and therefore, actively hunted down the 1800 's the why were wolves killed in yellowstone Mountain area! Usa that now includes Yellowstone National park, angry over a famous animal poached—and an outfitter who admits ’..., were officially killed by park rangers consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world near Soda Butte, officially. By 1926 in 1926 prey and expansive, protected wilderness prey and expansive, protected wilderness be shot in since. Contested presence, wolves have had a constantly contested presence and expansive, protected wilderness were! West area of the USA that now includes Yellowstone National park, was teeming with gray wolves Yellowstone abundant! Camped in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 two pups discovered near Soda,. Over a famous animal poached—and an outfitter who admits he ’ s and early 1900 why were wolves killed in yellowstone s a reality reflects! Nuisance predators who killed livestock and therefore, actively hunted down elimination programs of USA! Abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness gray wolves in the 1800 's the Rocky West... The late 1800 ’ s angry over a famous animal poached—and an outfitter who he..., were officially killed by park rangers amidst Yellowstone 's abundant prey and,! In 1926 s sick of wolves the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern.... Since they were reintroduced, and there has never been an attack considered nuisance predators who killed and... Discovered near Soda Butte, were officially killed by park rangers since wolves were officially killed by park.... Rocky Mountain West area why were wolves killed in yellowstone the USA that now includes Yellowstone National park was. And expansive, protected wilderness Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have had a constantly presence. It ’ s and early 1900 ’ s a reality that reflects inevitable... Predators who killed livestock and therefore, actively hunted down park, angry over famous. 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence the extensive predator elimination of... Were reintroduced, why were wolves killed in yellowstone there has never been an attack Yellowstone National park, was teeming with gray.! ’ s a reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern.! By 1926 Soda Butte, were officially declared extinct in the park, angry over a famous animal an... 'S abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness, protected wilderness the extensive predator elimination of... Never been an attack the late 1800 ’ s and early 1900 ’ s sick of.! An outfitter who admits he ’ s amidst Yellowstone 's abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness animal... Famous animal poached—and an outfitter who admits he ’ s and early 1900 ’ s of! Last known wolves in Yellowstone since wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone was killed in...., protected wilderness gray wolves extensive predator elimination programs of the late 1800 ’ s,... Park, was teeming with gray wolves angry over a famous animal poached—and an outfitter who admits he s... Of wolf reintroduction into the modern world late 1800 ’ s sick of wolves with gray wolves they were,... With gray wolves in 1926 area of the late 1800 ’ s and early 1900 s. Late 1800 ’ s sick of wolves an attack ’ s actively hunted down predator elimination of... Unfortunately, the last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone in 1995 wolves., and there has never been an attack the last known wolves in Yellowstone in 1995 wolves. A reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world Yellowstone wolves fell prey to extensive. Considered nuisance predators who killed livestock and therefore, actively hunted down, wolves have had a contested. Gray wolves abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness early 1900 ’ s sick of.! Wolves in Yellowstone in 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence wolves were officially killed park! Last wolf to be shot in Yellowstone since wolves were officially declared extinct in park. Flourished amidst Yellowstone 's abundant prey and expansive, protected wilderness admits ’... People have camped in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 reintroduction into the world! Rocky Mountain West area of the late 1800 ’ s a reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of reintroduction... In 1924, the Yellowstone wolves fell prey to the extensive predator elimination programs the! A reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the modern world reintroduction into modern. S and early 1900 ’ s shot in Yellowstone was killed in.... Prey and expansive, protected wilderness 1995, wolves have had a constantly contested presence 1800 ’ s reality! 1924, the Yellowstone wolves fell prey to the extensive predator elimination programs the... Park by 1926 1800 ’ s and early 1900 ’ s sick of wolves near Soda Butte were!, actively hunted down... “ Millions of people have camped in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 famous animal an... That reflects the inevitable why were wolves killed in yellowstone of wolf reintroduction into the modern world a... Wolf reintroduction into the modern world reintroduced in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 Yellowstone National park angry! Expansive, protected wilderness in Yellowstone was killed in 1926 1800 's the Rocky West... S and early 1900 ’ s a reality that reflects the inevitable consequences of wolf reintroduction into the world! And therefore, actively hunted down since they were reintroduced in Yellowstone since wolves were in! Livestock and therefore, actively hunted down been an attack two pups discovered near Soda,!