"Wolves"

A collection of 58 posts

"Wolves"

The Chase

“A national park should present a vignette of primitive America.” – A. Starker Leopold     Predator-prey chases happen countless times every day in Yellowstone, but we rarely witness them. Kira Cassidy, research associate with the Yellowstone Wolf Project, provides context and insight as a wolf tests an elk along Soda Butte Creek.

"Wolves"

Bison Bunch Up to Protect Calves

Over millions of years, rangelands have evolved under grazing by nomadic herds that travel in mass, bunched up to protect both young and adults from predators. And, plants have evolved to need this. This observation is the basis for holistic range practices such as monitored, rotational grazing.   In this video,

"Wolves"

The Secret Lives of Fish-Eating, Beaver-Ambushing Wolves of Minnesota

Fishing wolves.     NOTE: this article was originally published to National Geographic on June 21, 2019. It was written by Ben Goldfarb. And was orginially published to this site on August 3, 2020   In the Great Lakes’ Boreal Forests, Gray Wolves Have Evolved Surprisingly Flexible Diets and Hunting Strategies.   In a

"Wolves"

By Learning to Hunt Otters, Wolves Decimate a Deer Population

“How wolf recovery on Pleasant Island Alaska affected deer populations   NOTE: this article was originally published to ArsTechnica.com on January 26, 2023. It was written by Doug Johnson.   People love otters, wolves, and deer. Respectively, they’re crafty, intelligent, and majestic.   Put them all together on an island, though,

"Wolves"

The Color of Wolves Mysteriously Changes Across America. We Finally Know Why

“As explained below, scientists believe that exposure to canine distemper, a disease of domestic dogs, is causing the coats of North American wolf populations to change color.   NOTE: this article was originally published to ScienceAlert.com on December 31, 2022. It was written by Michelle Starr.   Guessing the color of

"Wolves"

US Agency to Limit Predator Killing Methods in Idaho

“We-the-people’s war on wildlife and biodiversity is alive and well, as described in the article below.   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on June 29, 2022. It was written by Keith Riddler.   OISE, Idaho (AP) — A U.S. agency responsible for killing wolves and other predators

"Wolves"

Dire Wolves Were Real—and Even Stranger Than We Thought

Wolves have been in North America far longer than humans.   As described below, the dire wolf was about the same size as the Yukon wolf and the northwestern wolf, the largest modern gray wolves (Canis lupus). Dire wolves’ prey included Western horses, ground sloths, mastodons, ancient bison, and camels. Dire

"Wolves"

The Answer to Keeping Moose Populations Healthy? Wolves

If wolves “compete” with moose, why do the the largest moose populations and the largest wolf populations in North America exist together?   This article discusses some of reasons why the species are—in fact—complementary.   Read why wolves keep moose herds healthy. Then, consider how wolves could help control CWD

"Wolves"

2022 Winter Wildlife Near Yellowstone Park, in Idaho

Winter wildlife, 2022 at Pitchstone Waters.

"Invasion Biology"

Securing a Future for Wolves in the West

Another excellent article by the Property and Environmental Research Center (PERC) the free market conservation think tank based in Bozeman.   This one is about how to address people and livelihoods while achieving the essential ecological need to return wolves across the West. NOTE: this article was originally published to PERC.

"Wolves"

Wolves and Moose at Pitchstone Waters

It’s springtime at Pitchstone Waters Ranch, which means that we can access our game cameras in the high forests along our boundary with the national forest, and see last winter’s photos. The game camera that took these photos is located in our northeast corner, 5-miles southwest of Yellowstone

"Wolves"

Grizzly Bears Make Yellowstone Wolves Behave in Unexpected Way, Study Finds

As discussed below, predators change animal behavior. All predators change the behavior of prey animals.   Predators can also alter the behavior of other predators. For instance, wolves change how bears behave, and the other way around.   These different effects on animal behavior are probably as important to wildlife and habitat

"Wolves"

Judge Restores Protections for Gray Wolves Across Much of US

“This was inevitable once Montana, Wyoming and Idaho resumed their 150-year long war on wolves.   NOTE: this article was originally published to APNews.com on February 10, 2022. It was written by Matthew Brown and John Flesher.   BILLINGS, Mont (AP) — A judge restored federal protections for gray wolves across much

"Wolves"

On The Wolf Trail

Tracking wolves around Teton National Park.     NOTE: this article was originally published to JHNewsandGuide.com on March 13, 2021. It was written by Mike Koshmrl.   Now near the end of three winters tailing Jackson Hole wolves, Barker has logged her share of mystery clusters. They happen more than she’d

"Wolves"

Washington State to Manage Wolves Within Borders After Fed Action

Quoting the article below, “Wolves were wiped out in Washington by the 1930s at the behest of the livestock industry. The animals began migrating back into the state from Idaho and British Columbia early in this century. Wolf recovery is popular with many urban residents of the state, but not

"Wolves"

Colorado Voters Approve Gray Wolf Reintroduction

Quoting the article below, “Colorado is the first state to reintroduce wolves at the direction of voters rather than federal wildlife biologists working under the Endangered Species Act.”   NOTE: this article was originally published to ColoradoSun.com on November 5, 2020. It was written by Jason Blevins.   Proposition 114 passed

"Wolves"

Using Wolves as First Responders Against a Deadly Brain Disease

Some scientists say that the predators are essential to curbing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease because they pick off weak deer.

"Wolves"

25 Years After Returning to Yellowstone, Wolves Have Helped Stabilize The Ecosystem

As discussed in the article below, “by reducing elk numbers and thinning out weak and sick animals, wolves are helping create more resilient elk herds.”   This is true, but another likely reason for falling elk numbers is brucellosis, an infection known as “contagious abortion” that affects ruminant animals including cervids

"Wolves"

Mexican Gray Wolf Numbers in the US Soared in 2019

Cattlemen have a big problem with these little wolves. On closer inspection, it turns out there are ways to ranch alongside these animals. These alternative strategies benefit wildlife and habitat in important ways while improving range for cattle grazing.   NOTE: this article was originally published to TheVerge.com on March

"Invasion Biology"

A Natural Classroom, Run by Wolves

Wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone has been a scientific and tourism bonanza.   NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on March 27, 2020. It was written by Jim Robbins. Mr. Robbins, a longtime contributor to The Times, is based in Helena, Mont.     Twenty-five years ago this month, 14 wolves

"Wolves"

Two Bears Brawl in the Middle of a Highway as a Wolf Watches Quietly from a Distance

“Fighting grizzlies. NOTE: this article was originally published to People.com on September 24, 2019. It was written by Robyn Merrett. Facebook user Cari McGillivray  CLICK HERE: shared the frightening moment on Friday, explaining, “Don’t normally post on here but thought I’d share this incredibly rare and amazing

"Wolves"

Understanding the Ecological Role of Wolves in Yellowstone National Park

Loathed as a threat and nuisance, the wolf population in Yellowstone National Park was essentially wiped out by the mid 1920’s. That changed in 1995, when the National Park Service reintroduced them there, with the goal of restoring a natural predator/prey dynamic to the landscape.   NOTE: you can

"Invasion Biology"

Wyoming Game and Fish Prepares for CWD at Elk Feedgrounds

The well-intentioned state and federal government practice of feeding elk on public lands has led to overpopulation and over-concentration of these animals. The combination of too many elk in too little space has put elk at great danger for contracting Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Since CWD appeared 40-years ago in

"Invasion Biology"

Rise of the Golden Jackal

The golden jackal is Europe’s coyote. Like coyotes in North America, golden jackals are spreading because: (1) Mother Nature abhors a vacuum, and (2) natural systems require predators. When looked at this way, the golden jackal’s spread into empty biological pockets created by the eradication of native predators

"Invasion Biology"

Coyotes Conquered North America. Now They’re Heading South.

Most landowners and wildlife managers think that killing coyotes is a good practice. They are mistaken – to put it mildly – that coyote ‘control’ is even possible. The more coyotes we kill, the faster coyotes breed. Biologists say we would need to kill 75% of all coyotes every year for 50-years