25 years after wolves return, Yellowstone ecosystem is stable and healthy

[FfFfFfFF 58,382]

Twenty-five years after gray wolves returned to Yellowstone National Park, the predators that some feared would wipe out elk have instead proved to be more of a stabilizing force. New research shows that by reducing populations and thinning out weak and sick animals, wolves are helping create more resilient elk herds.

For the past 12 years, elk numbers in the park’s largest herd have leveled off between about 6,000 and 8,000, instead of extreme boom-and-bust cycles due to climate fluctuations.

“Elk aren’t starving to death anymore,” says Chris Wilmers, a wildlife ecologist at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“In a future that will be very unpredictable, we want a buffer” against mass die-offs, says Doug Smith, Yellowstone’s senior wildlife biologist, and wolves’ ability to keep elk herds balanced can play that role. Through hunting and management practices, “humans help stabilize elk populations, but they don’t do the same thing as wolves.”

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/07/yellowstone-wolves-reintroduction-helped-stabilize-ecosystem/

[Gracious Gaga 17,163]

I wanna go back there so bad 

[Guest]

until the large super volcano erupts

that is

[weed 79,081]

that first shot of the wolf is beautiful

[BillieGOAT 5,272]

He’s done it #Kanye2020 y’all 

[River 127,836]

I want a puppy wolf

[Galactastica 318]

If you like this story you'll love this short video about it: 

 

[ImTired 3,956]

1 hour ago, BillieGOAT said:

He’s done it #Kanye2020 y’all 

Don't sis. Just don't even joke.