Experimental Release of ca 50 wolves by USFWS in 199596

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Experimental Release of ca 50 wolves by USFWS in
1995-96 Goals Recover an endangered
species Reestablish predatory function in YNP
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Case Study
Boyce, M.S. and J. Gaillard. 1992. Wolves in
Yellowstone, Jackson hole, and the North Fork of
the Shoshone River Simulating Ungulate
consequences of Wolf Recovery. Pgs 4-71 to 4-116
in Varley, J. and W. Brewster, Eds. Wolves for
Yellowstone. A Report to the U.S. Congress.
National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park.
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Follow-up Studies
Smith, D.W., R.O. Peterson, D.B. Houston. 2003.
Yellowstone after wolves. BioScience
53(4)330-340. Smith, D. W. 2005. 10 years of
wolves, Yellowstone Science 13(1) 7-31. White,
P.J. et al. 2005. Yellowstone after wolves
environmental impact statement predictions and
ten-year appraisals. Yellowstone Science
13(1)34-41.
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Numbers of Wolves
predicted 25-200 actual 100-175 Less variation
than predicted.
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Pack Distributions
Actual similar to predicted.
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Predation Rates on Elk
Predicted kill rate (Northern Range) 25
elk/wolf/yr at satiation predicted 22.3
elk/wolf/yr actual for 1995-2000 13.2 elk/wolf/yr
actual for 2000-2005
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Predation Elk Population Size
If K for elk in NR has been 14,000 w/o wolves and
model predicted a 5-20 reduction, this would
predict 11,200 13,300. Range in 2002-2003
was 11,742-14,539, but as few as 8335 more
recently.