Wolves, elk and coyotes in Yellowstone Park The estimated North American population of grey wolves is around 67,000 and is found mostly in Canada and Alaska. In early 1995, grey wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park where they had previously been completely exterminated. Wolves are large social carnivores that hunt in packs and usually feed on elk or sometimes deer. They kill mostly young and old animals, a practice that removes those elk least likely to survive harsh winters. Wolves normally breed once a year, but when prey is scarce and/or pack sizes are large, many females may not become fertile. Litter sizes vary from three to six pups, depending on available food. Studies of wolves in the central Canadian Rockies reveal that unequal numbers of males and females exist and that dominant (alpha) males mate only with (alpha) females. The reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone has affected the entire Yellowstone Basin Ecosystem. Field biologists report that elk are huddling in large groups for protection and that grizzlies are fighting wolves. Coyotes are about half the size of wolves, and each coyote pack has a smaller territory. They are sometimes killed by wolves when the two species fight over elk carcasses. Wolves disturb coyote den sites and sometimes kill and eat the young. The wolves have killed about 36 coyotes since their introduction. Biologists maintain that wolves have returned the ecosystem to a more natural state. The wolf populations have grown from the 31 wolves that were reintroduced to 53. Wildlife enthusiasts have thronged to Yellowstone to watch wolf packs from roadsides, but the strong dispersal capability of wolves means that wolves and landowners often have encounters outside the park. Ranchers and farmers had resisted the re intro duction of wolves to Yellowstone and had predicted that hundreds
Wolves, elk and coyotes in Yellowstone Park The estimated North American population of grey wolves is around 67,000 and is found mostly in Canada and Alaska. In early 1995, grey wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park where they had previously been completely exterminated. Wolves are large social carnivores that hunt in packs and usually feed on elk or sometimes deer. They kill mostly young and old animals, a practice that removes those elk least likely to survive harsh winters. Wolves normally breed once a year, but when prey is scarce and/or pack sizes are large, many females may not become fertile. Litter sizes vary from three to six pups, depending on available food. Studies of wolves in the central Canadian Rockies reveal that unequal numbers of males and females exist and that dominant (alpha) males mate only with (alpha) females. The reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone has affected the entire Yellowstone Basin Ecosystem. Field biologists report that elk are huddling in large groups for protection and that grizzlies are fighting wolves. Coyotes are about half the size of wolves, and each coyote pack has a smaller territory. They are sometimes killed by wolves when the two species fight over elk carcasses. Wolves disturb coyote den sites and sometimes kill and eat the young. The wolves have killed about 36 coyotes since their introduction. Biologists maintain that wolves have returned the ecosystem to a more natural state. The wolf populations have grown from the 31 wolves that were reintroduced to 53. Wildlife enthusiasts have thronged to Yellowstone to watch wolf packs from roadsides, but the strong dispersal capability of wolves means that wolves and landowners often have encounters outside the park. Ranchers and farmers had resisted the re intro duction of wolves to Yellowstone and had predicted that hundreds
Concepts of Biology
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168116
Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Publisher:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James Wise
Chapter19: Population And Community Ecology
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 2ACQ: Figure 19.6 If the major food source of seals declines due to pollution or overfishing, which of the...
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Is the wolf population controlled by density or density-independent factors? Explain using one piece of information from the reading to support your choice. You should use those supports to back up your choice, that is, how did this piece of support lead you to your answer.
Transcribed Image Text:Wolves, elk and coyotes in Yellowstone Park
The estimated North American population of grey wolves is around 67,000 and is
found mostly in Canada and Alaska. In early 1995, grey wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National
Park where they had previously been completely exterminated.
Wolves are large social carnivores that hunt in packs and usually feed on elk or sometimes deer. They kill
mostly young and old animals, a practice that removes those elk least likely to survive harsh winters. Wolves
normally breed once a year, but when prey is scarce and/or pack sizes are large, many females may not become
fertile. Litter sizes vary from three to six pups, depending on available food. Studies of wolves in the central
Canadian Rockies reveal that unequal numbers of males and females exist and that dominant (alpha) males
mate only with (alpha) females.
The reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone has affected the entire Yellowstone Basin Ecosystem.
Field biologists report that elk are huddling in large groups for protection and that grizzlies are fighting
wolves. Coyotes are about half the size of wolves, and each coyote pack has a smaller territory. They are
sometimes killed by wolves when the two species fight over elk carcasses. Wolves disturb coyote den sites and
sometimes kill and eat the young. The wolves have killed about 36 coyotes since their introduction. Biologists
maintain that wolves have returned the ecosystem to a more natural state. The wolf populations have grown
from the 31 wolves that w ere reintroduced to 53.
Wildlife enthusiasts have thronged to Yellowstone to watch wolf packs from roadsides, but the strong
dispersal capability of wolves means that wolves and landowners often have encounters outside the park.
Ranchers and farmers had resisted the reintro duction of wolves to Yellowstone and had predicted that hundreds
of livesto ck would be killed. Wolves that prey on livestock are usually shot.
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