Wolves

Although wolf packs once roamed from the Arctic tundra to Mexico, loss of habitat and extermination programs led to their demise throughout most of the United States by early in the 20th century. In 1973, the northern Rocky Mountain wolf (Canis lupus) was listed as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated Greater Yellowstone as one of three wolf recovery areas in the northern Rocky Mountains. From 1995 to 1997, a total of 41 wolves captured in Canada and northwest Montana were released in Yellowstone National Park. As intended, wolves dispersed to establish territories beyond the park’s boundaries as the population grew. The higher rate of human-caused wolf mortality outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks means that the greater regulatory protection they receive in the parks will help ensure the viability of Greater Yellowstone’s wolf population. The restoration program has motivated many researchers to investigate the wolf’s dynamic role in the ecosystem.

Report A Sighting of this species.
 
Updated 3/19/09