Conservation and Management of the Gray Wolf in Yellowstone

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Conservation and Management of the Gray Wolf in
Yellowstone
Kevin Baldwin
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Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
-Largest member of dog family -Live, travel, and
hunt in packs of 4-7 wolves -Packs consist of
alpha male or dominant pair and several other
subordinate or young wolves -Alpha male and
female lead pack in hunting, choosing dens, and
establishing pack territory
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History of the Gray Wolf

• Flourished in the western United States until the
  early 1900s when they were extirpated due to
  conflicts with humans, and habitat loss.

• Migration of the pioneers and the development of
  the western United States depleted much of the
  wolves primary prey causing them to attack their
  sheep and cattle.

• Due to increased predation of livestock and
  conflicts with settlers wolves were viewed
  negatively as vicious predators that needed be
  eradicated.

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Historical Range
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Current Range
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THE GOVERNMENTS RESPONSE

• The local state and federal government responded
  by authorizing the extirpation of the gray wolf
  and began passing bounty laws paying for wolf
  hides.

• Montana was the first state to pass this wolf
  bounty and in the first year of the bounty 1884,
  over 5,450 wolf hides were presented for payment.

• Many other states also began to pass their own
  bounty laws in order to stop the predation of
  livestock with some continuing as late as 1965.

• In 1914, the Federal government authorized
  funding for the removal of all large predators,
  including wolves, from federal lands such as
  Yellowstone.

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Gray Wolf Protection Begins

• In 1973, the Endangered Species Act was passed.
  One year later the gray wolf was placed on this
  list, but much of the damage had already been
  done.

• As a result of the act a small number of wolves
  began to recolonize in parts of northern Montana,
  and of Yellowstone.

• Currently the gray wolf is still listed and
  protected by the Endangered Species Act, but
  there is a proposal for its delisting.

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Range 1974 ESA Listing
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Recovery and Reintroduction

• 1966- Wolf reintroduction first proposed to
  Congress because of increasing elk numbers in
  Yellowstone. Met with opposition by many ranchers.

• Early 1980s- the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf
  Recovery Team was formed by the USFWS. The
  groups main objective was the reintroduction and
  delisting of the gray wolf

• 1987- Defenders of Wildlife offered wolf
  compensation fund to ranchers for lost
  livestock. Also in same year a final recovery
  plan released to public.

• 1995-1996- Sixty-six wolves from Canada are
  reintroduced into central Idaho, and Yellowstone.

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Wolf Reintroduction Begins
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Reintroduction Outcome
The reintroduction has been very successful with
over 1250 wolves recorded as recent as December
2006

• Yellowstone 371
• Central Idaho 713
• Montana 159

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service http//www.fws.gov/
mountain-prairie/species/mammals/wolf/delist2007_p
pt.pdf (Ed Bangs)
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Delisting of Gray Wolf

• According to the USFWS, in order for delisting to
  occur 30 wolf breeding pairs with good
  distribution need to exist for at least three
  successive years. (Accomplished in 2002)

• State management plans must also be approved for
  proper management and conservation of wolves
  after delisting. (Accomplished by Montana and
  Idaho, not Wyoming)

• 2001- Friends of Northern Yellowstone Elk, Inc.
  petitioned USFWS to delist the wolf. This
  petition was denied.

• 2005- Office of the Governor of Wyoming and
  Wyoming Game and Fish Commission petitioned USFWS
  to delist wolf. This petition is still in
  negotiations.

• Feb. 2006- USFWS service announces intent to
  fully delist wolf in Northern Rocky Mountain
  Range.

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Delisting Currently

• Currently Idaho and Montana both with approved
  management plans have been given some management
  responsibilities for the wolf such as monitoring
  packs, and implementing control actions for
  problem wolves.

• Full delisting in these states is scheduled to
  occur in 2008. Wolves in Wyoming will likely
  remain on the Endangered Species list.

• Mark Bruscino a biologist for the Wyoming Game
  and Fish Department said that currently minor
  adjustments are being made to their wolf
  management plan and 2.4 million to be awarded
  for wolf management.

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How can we be civically engaged in the
conservation and management of the gray wolf?
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Make your voice heard by both the public and
people in charge, Doug Smith lead Yellowstone
wolf biologist.
IMPORTANT GROUPS TO CONTACT

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Accepting letters
  and emails regarding the delisting until May 9th)
• Wyoming Game and Fish Department
• Defenders of Wildlife
• Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk, Inc.
• State lawmakers

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Other Groups Involved
Against Delisting
For Delisting
-Sierra Club -Wolf Recovery Foundation -Humane
Society of the United States -Indigenous
Environmental Network -Help Our Wolves Live
(HOWL) -Friends of Animals -Wolf Alliance -Wolf
Conservation Center
-Friends of the Northern Yellowstone Elk,
Inc. -State wildlife management agencies, and
government -Ranchers
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QUESTIONS?