"Wolves"

A collection of 52 posts

"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

"Invasion Biology"

Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf Scientist?

The wolf debate is more about politics than economics or the environment. NOTE: this article initially appeared on NYTimes.com on July 5, 2018. It was written by Christopher Solomon. Rob Wielgus was one of America’s pre-eminent experts on large carnivores. Then he ran afoul of the enemies of

"Invasion Biology"

‘Rewilding’ Missing Carnivores May Help Restore Some Landscapes

Because of how nature works, wildlife and habitats cannot be restored without (1) predators, (2) prey and, (3) keystone grazers.  This article looks at one missing piece of this trio. NOTE: this article was originally published to NYTimes.com on March 16, 2018. It was written by JoAnna Klein If

"Wolves"

Wolves Attack Wisconsin With Washington’s Help

It is an historic fact that wolves will attack, kill and eat humans along with livestock. As the Canadian deer expert, Valerius Geist, documents in an exhaustive forensic analysis on the subject, wolf predations in North America are historically limited because the human population is heavily armed and wolves are

"Invasion Biology"

Wolves' Return to Oregon Brings Conflict and Opportunity

Wolves help wildlife and habitat but they also – historically with good cause – terrify many people. Mexican Wolves, the native wolf of far-West Texas, is a small and comparatively harmless relative of the larger northern timber wolves which are the subject of this article. The important distinction between sub-species is lost

"Wolves"

Re-wolving the West

In far-West Texas as at Yellowstone National Park, it is a physiological fact that (Mexican) wolves would improve habitat for wild and domestic animals. But, community feelings towards wolves are very negative. NOTE: This article initially appeared on WSJ.com on May 12, 2017 Bringing back wild predators has provoked

"Wolves"

Lessons from the Wild Lab at Yellowstone Park

People will look back in 200-years and see the return of wolves in Yellowstone as a profound moment in habitat restoration ecology which will set a benchmark for the rest of the world. Let us hope that Texas’ wildlife “managers” take note.