2. Nearly Extinct Species: maybe only 100 individuals exist

3. Yellowstone NP 63 mi 54 mi 466 mi of roads
950 mi of backcountry trails
97 trailheads
287 backcountry campsites

4.
(1:10)

5. Wolves in Yellowstone National Park

6. The last wolves in Yellowstone (1920’s)

7. Wolves commonly live in packs

8. Packs can kill larger prey
Social vs
Solo

9. Packs give the ability to obtain more food, but also mean sharing food, reduced chance of reproduction, and increased chance of diseases.

10. Wolves are very territorial and will kill intruders

11. Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995

12. Wolf relocation

13. “hard” release:
directly to new location
In Yellowstone used“soft” release:
Kept in 1 acre pens to acclimate to new environment

14. Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995

15. Yellowstone area wolf packs 2004

16. Wolf deaths
38 deaths= 33%

17. The cost of wolves in Yellowstone NP:
Currently about 300 wolves
2003-
137 sheep and 66 cattle = $32,000
2004-
209 sheep, 57 cattle, and 6 other animals = $70,000

18. Estimate millions of dollars in increased visitors

19. Predator-predator interactions

20. Predator-predator interactions

21. Yellowstone Grizzly Bear population increases

22. Wolves are decreasing the elk population

23. Benefits of decreasing herbivore populations

24. Increased Riparian Habitat

25. Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2

26. Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2

27. Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 3

28. Are wolves responsible?
year
Fig 5

29. high risk
low risk

30. high risk
low risk

31. high risk
low risk

32. Are wolves responsible?
year
Fig 5

33. Protection vs herbivory
gully depth vs browsing
Fig 6

34. The greatest difference has been in the deepest gullies, which are at the greatest risk of erosion.
Fig 6

35. The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits.

36. The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits: More food available for other carnivores

37. The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP has had numerous positive benefits: Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 3