Target: Superintendent of Yellowstone National Park Cameron Sholly
Goal: Continue the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park.
When Yellowstone National Park was created in 1872, gray wolf populations were thriving. The wolves established an equilibrium throughout the park by keeping prey populations at bay, making sure ecosystems were able to flourish. The Yellowstone National Park Act of 1872 prevented the destruction of fish and other prey species within the park, but biologists of the time didn’t understand the importance of wolves and other predators. Throughout the early to mid-1900s, hundreds of wolves were killed off in hopes of keeping visitors and prey animals safe. By the 1940s, little-to-no wolves were to be found. This extermination not only applied to the park itself, it applied to all of America.
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 aimed to increase the populations of endangered species. After years of evaluating this act, it was determined that it was important to reintroduce wolves to not only Yellowstone, but across the U.S. In 1994, a Record of Decision for the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to reintroduce wolves to the park was signed by the Secretary of the Interior. The statement also applied to the reintegration of wolf populations in central Idaho. The park staff and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) began to plan for this reintroduction.
After the statement passed, pens were created to provide shelter to the populations of wolves obtained from Canada. Throughout 1995-1996, 31 Canadian wolves were brought to the park, each being radio-collared for tracking purposes. The wolves bred and created homes throughout the park.
The reintegration of the wolves has allowed for more biodiversity in the park. Wolves hunt elk and other prey, meaning other wildlife species have more food available. Elk have found new shelter throughout the park, allowing their population to remain stable. The four main predatorial populations within the park (black bears, grizzly bears, coyotes, cougars, and now wolves) have been given the opportunity to flourish with the increase of overall prey populations.
Sign the below petition to support the continued existence of a thriving wolf population in Yellowstone.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Superintendent Sholly,
The reintegration of wolves into Yellowstone has drastically increased biodiversity within the park. Prey populations have remained stable, and plant life, vegetation and other wildlife populations have grown since wolves have been added.
Despite this success, wolf populations continue to be hunted for fur and meat, causing their population to slowly dwindle. If such acts continue, wolves will become endangered again. As there are plenty of wildlife for wolves to feed on without negatively impacting the biodiversity of the park, it is sensible to continue the reintroduction of wolves throughout the upcoming years.
I urge you to continue incorporating wolf populations in the park. This will benefit the overall wildlife populations and poses no risk to visitors and/or prey populations. Please take action to continue stabilizing the wolf population by allowing them to further flourish in an environment with an abundance of prey. This can only further benefit the overall biosphere of Yellowstone.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Holly Kuchera
198 Signatures