1

Francisca Yonker

Ms. Veltman

AP Seminar

27 September 2023

Preserving a Natural Wolf Population in Yellowstone National

Yellowstone's primary income source is tourism, which attracts millions of visitors

annually, significantly contributing to the economic prosperity of the region. However, this

presents a challenge: how to balance the economic benefits from tourism with the need to protect

the wolf population that attracts these visitors. Tourism can disrupt wolf habitats and behavior.

Improper conduct by tourists can negatively impact wolf behavior, such as attempting to interact

with wolves. Traffic and road-related risks pose risks to wolves, leading to accidents, injuries,

and fatalities. Government control and poaching remain a significant issue, targeting wolves both

within the park and in areas bordering it such as Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. Lack of

awareness and education about responsible behavior around wolves is another issue. (Francisco J

Santiago-Ávila, Adrian Treves, p.1) Balancing wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism

interests is challenging, and trespassing by tourists is another concern. The elimination of wolves

had cascading effects on the park's ecosystem. With fewer wolves to keep prey populations (such

as elk) in check, these prey species became overabundant, leading to habitat degradation in

certain areas of the park (Juanita M. Constable Luke H. Sandro Richard E. Lee, Jr, P.1). The loss

of a top predator like the wolf had far-reaching ecological consequences. Adding on, “gray

wolves were hunted to local extinction by 1926, but were reintroduced in 1995 after a decades-
 2

long process involving biologists, politicians, ranchers, and the general public”(Juanita M.

Constable, Luke H.Sandro, Richard E. Lee JR, p.1). Many wolf species were killed during the

years 1914-26 a minimum of 136 wolves including about 80 pups (59%) were removed from

dens , trapped , shot , and probably poisoned within the park (John Weaver, P.9). However later

in Wyoming and South Dakota 508 wolves were killed 1918-23 by government personnel , with

the last one taken in 1940. In Montana , government agents removed 413 wolves during 1918-30

and their last one in 1945. (John Weaver, P.21) Unfortunately, the local economy relies heavily

on tourism. Managing tourists to enter the park while ensuring the safety of wolves is a

challenge. Commercial interests often conflict with conservation goals. Visitors' freedom and

regulation are also important considerations. Addressing these aspects involves the participation

of multiple stakeholders, including governmental bodies, local communities, environmental

organizations, tourism agencies, researchers, and tourists themselves. An overall approach

considering the environmental,political, social, economic extents is necessary to ensure the long-

term sustainability and preservation of the Greater Yellowstone Area.

Yellowstone National Park has been struggling with the balance between generating

economic revenue from tourism and preserving its diverse ecosystem and wildlife. According to

a report by the U.S. Department of the Interior (2019), the park witnessed a record-breaking

number of visitors, indicating the substantial economic importance of tourism to the Yellowstone

region. However, this surge in tourism also raises concerns about its impact on the native wolf

population. Research by Douglas W. Smith, P.J White, and Daniel R. Stanler states that since the

reintroduction of wolves, there have been instances of tourists inadvertently harming wolves

through their behavior. These include getting too close to wolves, approaching dens, and feeding

wildlife (P.5). Talking about this balance necessitates an understanding of the socio-economic
 3

dynamics at play, the ecological needs of the Yellowstone ecosystem, and the behavioral patterns

of its wolf population.

Many authors agree on the fact that it is tourism which is the main result for the harm of

wolves. However, Alistair J. Bath, Thomas Buchanan and John Weaver agree that it is

government control that is harming them. They state that; The US government's historical

decline in wolf populations in the early 20th century was largely due to predator eradication

campaigns (P.6). In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed, recognizing wolf threats. In

1995 and 1996, wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. The government

manages wolf populations through collaboration and hunting regulations (P.2). However they

may disagree that the government does not only do good, in fact, John Weaver states that

“Government control from 1914-26 removed at least 136 wolves including 80 pups.” (John

Weaver, P.9) Which led wolves were even placed on the NRMW on the endangered species list

in 1973 due to government and private control drastically reducing the number of wolves. (P.23)

Mark S.Boyce and Juanita M.Constible, Luke H. Sandro and Richard E. Lee Jr. who

specialize in the area of managing wolves in the Yellowstone area do not support poaching.

However, they bring up the topic of “GPS Telemetry” which is basically what it sounds like.

GPS telemetry in managing wolves in Yellowstone National Park refers to the integration of

Global Positioning System (GPS) technology with telemetry devices to track and monitor the

movements, behaviors, and spatial utilization of wolves within the park's ecosystem. By

outfitting wolves with GPS collars or tags, researchers and wildlife managers can collect precise

and real-time location data, shedding light on critical aspects of their behavior and habitat use.

What the authors are trying to communicate is that GPS telemetry helps reduce potential human-

wildlife conflicts by identifying areas of high wolf activity. Which can further guide the
 4

establishment of wildlife corridors, minimizing encounters between humans and wolves. By

enhancing the understanding of wolf behavior and ecology, promoting a balanced and

sustainable environment for both wildlife and people.

Douglas W. Smith, P.J White, Daniel. R Stanler and Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf share the

same ideas on how wolves were hunted in 2009, 2011, and 2013 in Idaho, Montana, and

Wyoming (P.2). Since 1968, the National Park Service has adopted ecosystem process

management, which has led to overgrazing and habitat degradation (P.3). Wolves have also been

reintroduced due to human actions, such as approaching dens and feeding wildlife.

Works Cited

Bath, Alistair J., and Thomas Buchanan. “Attitudes of Interest Groups in Wyoming toward Wolf

Restoration in Yellowstone National Park.” Wildlife Society Bulletin (1973-2006), vol.

17, no. 4, 1989, pp. 519–25. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/3782723. Accessed

Sept. 2023.

Constible, Juanita M., et al. “Carrion: Its What’s for Dinner: Wolves Reduce the Impact of

Climate Change.” The American Biology Teacher, vol. 70, no. 2, 2008, pp. 95–102.

JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/30163211. Accessed 8 Sep. 2023.

Douglas W. Smith, et al. “Managing Wolves in the Yellowstone Area: Balancing Goals Across

Jurisdictional Boundaries.” Wildlife Society Bulletin (2011-), vol. 40, no. 3, 2016, pp.

436–45. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/wildsocibull2011.40.3.436. Accessed 7

September. 2023.

Meredith S. Berry, et al. “Using Spatial, Economic, and Ecological Opinion Data to Inform Gray

Wolf Conservation.” Wildlife Society Bulletin (2011-), vol. 40, no. 3, 2016, pp. 554–63.

JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/wildsocibull2011.40.3.554. Accessed 14 Sept. 2023.

Povilitis, Tony. “Preserving a Natural Wolf Population in Yellowstone National Park, USA.”

The

George Wright Forum, vol. 32, no. 1, 2015, pp. 25–34. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/

stable/43598397. Accessed 18 Sept. 2023.

“The Wolves of Yellowstone - Google Play.” Google Play Books, Google,

play.google.com/book/

reader?id=AT2gsU22FwQC&pg=GBS.PP4&hl=en. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.

“Wolves for Yellowstone: Dynamics in Time and Space .” Academic.Oup.Com, academic.oup.

com/jmammal/article/99/5/1021/5107035. Accessed 13 Sept. 2023.