Nearly Extinct Species: maybe only 100 individuals exist

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Nearly Extinct Speciesmaybe only 100
individuals exist
Extinct
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Yellowstone NP
63 mi
54 mi

• 466 mi of roads
• 950 mi of backcountry trails
• 97 trailheads
• 287 backcountry campsites

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http//www.youtube.com/watch?v2aEULGJ05Sofeature
fvw http//www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/cryin
g-wolf-in-yellowstone/6198y2q (110) http//www.k
sl.com/index.php?sid3743475
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Wolves in Yellowstone National Park
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The last wolves in Yellowstone (1920s)
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Wolves commonly live in packs
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Packs can kill larger prey
Social
vs
Solo
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Packs give the ability to obtain more food, but
also mean sharing food, reduced chance of
reproduction, and increased chance of diseases.
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Wolves are very territorial and will kill
intruders
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Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995
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Wolf relocation
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hard release directly to new location
In Yellowstone usedsoft release Kept in 1 acre
pens to acclimate to new environment
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Wolves were re-introduced to Yellowstone in 1995
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Yellowstone area wolf packs 2004
http//www.forwolves.org/ralph/historical.html
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Wolf deaths 1995-2005
38 deaths 33
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The cost of wolves in Yellowstone NP
Currently about 300 wolves 2003- 137 sheep and
66 cattle 32,000 2004- 209 sheep, 57
cattle, and 6 other animals 70,000
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Estimate millions of dollars in increased visitors
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Predator-predator interactions
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Predator-predator interactions
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Yellowstone Grizzly Bear population increases
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Wolves are decreasing the elk population
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Benefits of decreasing herbivore populations
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Increased Riparian Habitat
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 2
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Increased Riparian Habitat
Fig 3
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Are wolves responsible?
year
1998 1999 2000 2001
1998 1999 2000 2001
Fig 5
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high risk
low risk
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high risk
low risk
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high risk
low risk
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Are wolves responsible?
year
1998 1999 2000 2001
1998 1999 2000 2001
Fig 5
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Protection vs herbivory gully depth vs browsing
Fig 6
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The greatest difference has been in the deepest
gullies, which are at the greatest risk of
erosion.
Fig 6
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP
has had numerous positive benefits.
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP
has had numerous positive benefitsMore food
available for other carnivores
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The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone NP
has had numerous positive benefitsIncreased
Riparian Habitat
Fig 3
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