|
The reintroduction of Gray Wolves into Yellowstone has had many positive
affects such as controlling the populations of large game and taking out the
small week stupid ones. Some farmers complain about them killing cattle but who
cares what they think. The gray wolf, also called the timber wolf, is the
largest of about 41 wild species within the dog family, Canidae, of the order
Carnivora. All living wolves are considered a single species, Canis lupus.
There are 32 recognized subspecies of the gray wolf. Wolf size varies. Adults
range from about five to six and a half feet from nose to tip of tail, from 26
to 36 inches high at the shoulders, and weigh from 40 to 175 pounds. Gray wolves
aren’t necessarily gray but grizzled gray is the most common color they can also
be white, black or red.
Wolves are distinguished from dogs by characteristics of the skull. At one
time the wolf lived throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere. Most wolf
populations are in Canada and Alaska, where they are relatively stable. Of the
lower 48 only Minnesota has a wolf population large enough to maintain itself.
Wolves live in packs.
The Forestry Service reintroduced gray wolves to the northern Rocky
Mountains as well as Yellowstone National Park in an attempt to re-establish the
species after an absence of more than 60 years. Gray wolves were exterminated
from the area by the late 1920s. They are designated as endangered under the
Endangered Species Act in most of the lower 48 states. The reintroduction
program is a cooperative effort with the National Park Service and USDA Forest
Service.
Late last century, we realized that something was wrong with the ecosystem in
Yellowstone National Park. Without the wolves Yellowstone fails to maintain its
natural state. It was made clear that the ecosystem in Yellowstone would never
function properly until they were back. They decided that the wolf should be
reintroduced into the ecosystem at Yellowstone.
Many people, thought that this was foolish. The debate over wolves and
Yellowstone has pissed off a lot of people, who will continue to rage for years.
Why were wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone? Wolves helped restore Yellowstone's
ecosystem to a condition that resembles the way used to be. The wolf, is a large
predator, and therefor an important part of the parks ecosystem.
Once the population recovered, interactions between predators and prey were
restored. The wolves select the weakest and most vulnerable members of the
populations of deer, elk, bison,… and kill them. Such actions enhance the health
of the parks game species as well as weeding out the wussies. Even with wolves
roaming the parks, visitors will rarely see them.
They will be able to understand the importance of the wolf and see how the
balance of life is essential. The biological factors resulting from
reintroducing the wolf are important. However, the wolf itself is a mystery and
symbol to mankind. Today, not everyone feels that same way about the wolf and
its surroundings. Many don't know and understand the importance of the wolf and
its duty. What you do not know you will fear. What one fears, one destroys.
|
