More Yellowstone National Park wolves were killed this winter than they have in almost a century. This is because states that border the park modified their hunting regulations in an attempt to lower the population of the animals. In the meantime, park wolves are being lost, and wolf biologists are learning what it means. Senior wolf biologist Doug Smith of Yellowstone National Park remarks, “This was the winter of my discontent,” as he passes along a washboarded dirt road close to the park’s northern boundary. “This is where the park boundary is located, and that’s where most of the dispute happened,” he continues, pointing to the unmarked park boundary directly in front of us. Message from the Sponsor
Although wolf hunting is not permitted within the park, it is permitted when wolves cross into Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, at least during the hunting seasons that each state is permitted to regulate. This year, 25 wolves, or roughly 20% of the total, were killed by hunters. According to Smith, the number of wolves fluctuates all year long. He believes that the population is currently at a low point, probably in the 80s.
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