Between 1995 and 1997, a total of 31 wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park. This monumental undertaking marked the first deliberate attempt to return a top-level carnivore to a large ecosystem. Its impact has been significant; wolves have affected the dynamics of the entire Yellowstone ecosystem.
Since then, Yellowstone Forever has contributed a significant percentage of the Wolf Project’s total annual budget. Without this support from individuals, we wouldn’t be able to learn about the fascinating dynamics of wolves and their role in the Yellowstone ecosystem.
Wolf research and monitoring in Yellowstone is a year-round strategy that is critical to the long-term health of wolves in Yellowstone. Yellowstone’s wolf biologists and field staff conduct research efforts to capture and collar wolves, gather genetic samples for testing and lab work, conduct winter/summer field studies on predation and pup survival, and log numerous aerial monitoring flights. This level of fieldwork and science helps the park better understand the wolf population and territories, their relationships with prey species (like elk and bison), monitor the health of packs, and identify disease or health issues in the population.
Your gift to the Yellowstone Wolf Project will directly support key elements of the project’s research and monitoring activities, including collaring and aerial monitoring.
Links
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Return of Wolves to Yellowstone