Researchers estimate that 10 wolves from Yellowstone National Park have been killed by hunters this month, severely affecting the park’s wolf research programs, one of the longest studies of its kind.
The wolves have been tracked since their reintroduction in 1995. The killings came just as the scientists were set to begin the wolf project’s annual winter survey of their predatory habits.
The wolves were shot by licensed hunters outside the national park, during the legal wolf hunting season that started in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming in the fall. Seven of these wolves were wearing radio collars to help the scientists track them. Two were the only collared members of distinct packs, so these packs can no longer be tracked. Another two of the wolves had specialized GPS collars that collected data every 30 minutes. These collars have helped researchers better understand the wolves’ movements and predatory behaviors. There’s only one wolf left in the study which has such a collar.
All of the wolves were within 1 to 3 miles (1.6 to 4.8 kilometers) of the park’s unmarked boundary when they were killed. The wolves could have been in pursuit of prey, since the park’s elk migrate out of the park at this time of the year. They could have also been enticed by the gut piles hunters leave behind after shooting and dressing out an elk. There are many professional hunting camps set up around the park’s boundaries close to elk migration routes. The wolves were used to humans, which could have made them vulnerable to hunting.
This is the second time in three years that collared Yellowstone research wolves have been shot by hunters. Some worry that hunters are targeting the radio-collared animals even though the collars were returned to the park’s wolf project by the hunters.
Wolves are protected inside the park, but they can be shot as soon as they leave it. Wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list in May 2011.
The park’s wolf population remains healthy, with about 88 individuals, and plays a role in tourism to the park. A 2006 university study estimated that the wolves draw in $35 million a year in tourist dollars to the park and surrounding areas.
Scientists were trying to understand the wolves’ impact on elk. Park officials and conservationists have been lobbying officials in three states to establish a buffer zone around the park to protect the wolves from hunting, but only Montana has done so.
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25 Comments
Start a petition I and many others I am sure would gladly sign it .
Environmental and Conservation groups have been protesting and petitioning Montana for years to no avail. I know because I sign the petitions and send messages to the officials each time I have the opportunity. Defenders of Wildlife is the most active organization that comes to mind when talking about wolves.
Hunters suck.
The killing of wolves is very upsetting to me.I wonder if the hunters (who suck) would continue to shoot the wolves if they knew the wolves were collared and part of a study? Is there a way to make the collars more visible to hunters? Better still extend the area around Yellowstone to make wolf hunting illegal there as well.
My heart bleeds to hear this.. What is the purpose of kiling wolves? A boost of testosterone to the hunters?
The wolves are exposed to human interaction with no bad effect, so they dont flee at the sight of humans who will harm them.
Where is the balance??.. it is easier to educate the hunters, than to re-educate adult wolves.
There are smarter people in Montana seemingly than in other states.
The hunters are sickos and ego maniacs. It is a terrible thing what they’ve done. They should be jailed! They should bring that law in. They know exactly what they are doing. This issue should be put forward in parliament and add on be that anyone shooting any of these animals especially the ones with collars on to be jailed for a minimum of 2 years for this crime.
Large predators have been exterminated during historical times for good reason. Eurasian lions, bears and wolves represent a clear danger to human life. Predation of humans by tigers in the Sunderbarns is a case in point. At one time the tigers would have been eliminated, quite rightly too. One human life is not worth it. Apex predators are no longer an essential part of an ecosystem, humans can intervene in their stead. Environmentalists lecturing grieving children and families about diversity would be run out of the village, and hopefully into the tiger hunting grounds.
Stop killing the wolves
Yes, and people should leave wolves and their wolf cubs alone. Imagine ruining the ecosystem, bruh, I could never
Yes, and people should leave wolves and their wolf cubs alone. Imagine ruining the ecosystem, bruh, I could never
Absolutely accurate. If your a rancher, wolves can cost you 20s of thousands of dollars. God forbid you go on a hike by yourself unless you’re heavily armed. Wolves kill people! That’s why whe reduced their population
Common sense? Bet you bought a EV car and voted for Harris I love wildlife, but humans first!
Sir you watch to many movies
Tim. Youre comment is so ignorant I can’t decide if it’s satire or not.
Way way way more humans are killed by other humans than by other predators so I guess we should exterminate ourselves then? Just to be safe, you know.
Hey Tim – what a horrible world it would be if humans were the only species left. …………”animals exterminated for good reasons?”
What makes us so special?
Leave the wolves alone
I totally concur Lyndsey.
How short sighted are the hunters shooting wolves especially ones with collars. A proud moment for you. 👎
I have visited Yellowstone 4 times throughout the years whilst travelling in the US from Australia. I love Yellowstone np for all it stands for the enjoyment of mankind. A park where animals should be protected and thrive. However sadly I read many animals die from being hit by cars going too fast. 😥 It’s a park with roaming animals watch your speed drivers for their sake.
Others are killed by hunters because they can. That doesn’t make it right.
The wolves were reintroduced for a reason to help keep a balance in the np.
I am in awe when I sight a bear or wolf, or moose and thank the US national parks for making this possible. It is such an asset to see these wonderful animals in their habitat. It feels like an David Attenborough show when you experience this live and witness it with your own eyes. How lucky and priviIeged I feel to have had the opportunity to see this. I feel sad and dissappointed that there are people out there that see nothing wrong with hunting not for food.
Whether it is in the US, Africa, or Australia hunting for fun or a trophy is a cruel plight on society.
Shame on you, may your conscience keep you awake and torment you with the innocent animal lives you have executed.
I will always stand up for animal rights.
Humans have their support.
Protect wolves and bears beyond the legal boundaries as they don’t know they leave the park. Respect animals with collars especially.
Long live wolves and bears in yellowstone and wild animals elsewhere.🙏
I agree 👍 with the gentleman before me animals ard not aware they left the boundaries and beyond the boundaries they also should have protective status with out regard bears wolves and any other predator that was mass executed for no apparent reason besides a man’s ignorance 2 years should be the punishment for taking an innocent animals life with no remorse unless proven otherwise 2 years minimum Michael O’Brien
Anyone who shoots an unsuspecting animal, who is only trying to make it and survive in the wild, with a high-powered rifle at relatively short distances, is a pussy. There’s nothing sporting about it. Coming from someone who hunts humans for a living, legally.
What is wrong with people? Animals merely follow their genetics. Man follows his genetic “hate” rule. We these hunters blind or do they not “get” what collars on various wild animals means. EDUCATE THEM. Then give them boundaries. Stay back 1/2 mile from protected ground and fine them for enticing wild animals with “bait”. Yes, that is exactly what they are doing. Seems it’s become “the norm” to not to have to follow rules or laws anymore.
Please enlighten me on what laws they broke? Bet you cannot name one.
If American gun law’s were stricter and hunting was better controlled then maybe this situation would no longer occur! But then guns are far to freely available generally .The constitution should only allow the bearing of arms in defence of their country.
The majority of property around park boundaries is leased to cattle ranchers. They use danger to their stock as an excuse to shoot wolves. They use potential that buffalo may give their cattle brucellosis as an excuse for shooting buffalo who stray off the park in their natural migration paths. It’s time to reign in the cattlemen if they want to keep their leases.
What kind of asshole shoots a beautiful dog? I have a hunting license. Hunting is for food. Shooting a predator, like a grizzly is for self defense. Must be a big challenge, sighting in a target with a great quality scope. You Wyoming people are terrible, mean, grizzled, nasty bastards who ticket anyone with out of state plates who pass through Cody or any of your small towns. S Dakota, Montana, full of humans. Wyoming, I honestly don’t know
Wolves rn’t dogs, respect a wild animal, u human
Leave wolves alone and respect them, why is it hard for u humans to let wild animals be wild animals and respect them as wild animals?