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Wolves Home / Gray Wolves of Yellowstone
Wolves Return to Yellowstone
In mid-January 1995, after years of preparation and
many legal battles, 14 wolves were trapped in Canada
and transported to Yellowstone National Park to begin
their acclimation (getting used to) period prior to
release.The purpose of this "translocation," called Operation Wolf Stock, is to restore a vital element to the Yellowstone ecosystem that has been missing for over 60 years.
In late March 1995, three packs, now known as the Crystal Bench pack, the Rose Creek pack, and the Soda Butte pack were released into the wilds of Yellowstone.
In January 1996, another 17 wolves were brought in from British Columbia and put into four acclimation pens. The four groups are the Druid Peak pack, the Chief Joseph pack, the Lone Star pack, and the Nez Percé pack. These wolves were released in April 1996 after a 10-week acclimation period.
In the fall of 1996 Deb Guernsey of the Yellowstone Wolf Project reported:
"Nineteen months into the Yellowstone wolf restoration
effort has brought witness to considerable success.
Thirty-one wolves currently inhabit the Yellowstone
ecosystem. These wolves are grouped in five packs, in
addition to some who roam the area as loners. An estimated
13 pups have also been born during this 1996 season,
bringing the total count to approximately 44 wolves.
But the success of the project has not been without
its share of obstacles. Nine wolves have died since
the project began in January 1995. Still, the wolves
have persevered in spite of the deaths by reproducing
in numbers that have left biologists surprised and
delighted...
"The idea of wolf restoration started as a mere
thought — a dream. This dream has become a reality.
After over 60 years of silence, the wolf's howl
can once again
be heard. Their future is bright, but much work remains
to ensure a self-sustaining population of wolves.
It is important to monitor wolves closely to learn
about what effects they are having on the ecosystem,
and also to determine when a self-sustaining population
has been achieved.
"Wolves are unpredictable. In turn, wolf restoration
is also unpredictable. But given all of the variables
wolf restoration brings, success is still a very real
possibility. The importance of restoring wolves to
Yellowstone National Park may be best stated by Mike
Phillips, Wolf Project Leader: 'Wolf restoration is
evidence of a new way of thinking that will lead to
protection of ecosystems, biological diversity, and
humankind.'"
