David Harris
Expedition Leader
Great short film on the impact of Yellowstone's wolf population after 20 years:
http://sfglobe.com/?id=14064&src=share_fb_new_14064
http://sfglobe.com/?id=14064&src=share_fb_new_14064
When the Shiras, Elk, and Bighorn sheep populations are extinct in the park, the feds will regret that decision. Their populations are at all time lows in the park. The wolf heard has WAY overgrown itself and spread into Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. The numbers are so badly skewed by the feds, because they failed at reintroduction (I use that term lightly- the Wolves they introduced are Canadian in origin. Much larger in size, heard size, and much , MUCH faster reproducing than the wolves that originally lived in Yellowstone) and population control. The Feds, a an attempt to hide their failure, have suppressed private studies that have shown the negative impact on the overpopulation and WIDE spread growth of them. I think they're absolutley amazing animals, but the program was handled wrong from day one and has not been managed, but instead funded by the padded pockets of specialist groups across the world. Not to mention the effect the growing heard is having on ranchers, sportsmen, and the future of both.
I have a friend in Montana who lost 1/3 of his cattle heard this past year to wolf kills.
Well composed video, but its obvious who funded it.
Livestock guard dogs may be an answer:
http://www.nal.usda.gov/awic/companimals/guarddogs/guarddogs.htm
The article says that many wolves will avoid encounters with a guard dog if one is present. Also the dogs can be used in groups to protect against more dangerous predators. Probably wouldn't eliminate losses but would assuredly limit them. It's a very very old school method from a time when people and wolves existed side by side.
I'm sorry but that is the stupidest thing I have heard wolfs will not avoid another dog in thier territory in fact just the opposite they will activly seek out and kill said dog. A side note there are alot of houndsmen in the wolf re-introduction areas that have lost good hounds some even whole packs to wolfs.
There is zero chance of that happening. Wolves just are not that effective of a predator, if their prey animal populations drop theirs will too.When the Shiras, Elk, and Bighorn sheep populations are extinct in the park, the feds will regret that decision. Their populations are at all time lows in the park.
There is zero chance of that happening. Wolves just are not that effective of a predator, if their prey animal populations drop theirs will too.
And in any event, the grazers were overpopulated anyway, a reduction in their population is a good thing for the ecosystem. Interestingly, the populations of grizzlys and beavers have increased due to the presence of wolves. Beavers have more forage to eat since the elk are not eating it all, and the grizzlys are able to scavenge from wolf kills at a crucial time in their cub-rearing cycle.