I remember my first visit to the park more than 50 years ago. It was robust with ungulates — elk, deer, antelope and bison.
I’ve made three trips since the late 1990s and each time have viewed fewer of these animals. About four years ago the only elk (about 50 head) we saw were in the town of Mammoth Hot Springs. During our trip this summer we saw some bison, no bears or antelope, and only two bull elk. Since the introduction of wolves in the 1990s, it is vividly clear that they have taken a toll, especially on the once magnificence herds of elk which were estimated at around 18,000 head before wolf reintroduction. The current population is around 2,800 head and their future existence is now unknown because the calf survivable ratio is so low that sustaining the parks’ northern elk herd is questionable.
My four grandchildren were very excited to see herds of elk but were extremely disappointed not to see them. The wolf lovers can be blamed for ruining one of the parks’ main wildlife attractions. I feel sorry for the future generations that will not have the grand memories of the elk that I have.
Mike Sedlock
East Helena
MY RESPONSE:
Dear Mike,
I have no idea where you went in Yellowstone or how long your visits were, but let me tell you about mine. While I was there, in late May to the second week of June, I saw more bison than you or I could count, moose (in the swampy areas), bears (1 juvie grizzly and 1 black bear with 2 cubs), and elk everywhere. In fact, the Sunday morning I was in a small back country church waiting for Communion, I happened to take a side long gaze at the window beside me and there were two young elk bucks practicing fencing in the woods. At Mammoth, there was this monstrous-sized bull elk with some of his lady friends, all lying around on the grass, thereby preventing us from hitting a picnic table for lunch.
Are you familiar with elk migration and what time they are present in Yellowstone? Do you know anything at all about food webs? How about trophic cascades? You suggest that you do, but do you? Trophic cascade is the effect within an ecosystem when either the removal or addition of the top predator occurs. You assert that because wolves are back in Yellowstone that the elk are disappearing. And you base this on what? Your own observation? Scientific literature? The USFG? I think the former is the most likely source.
Wolves were almost eradicated to the point of extinction, a state to which they will return if something isn't done to stop it. But why should we save them? The loss of wolves means the elk population will breed out of control. Their food consumption will rise, which means the loss of new shoots and the decline of other species of plants. Although this loss won't be noticeable in the short range of time, the long range will show that trees that are the backbone of Yellowstone will decline.
The long range will also cause the elk to suffer. Their numbers will increase and out populate their food source in the winter. Healthy elk will die. The weak and older members of the herds will no longer be picked off and eaten by wolves and our human hunters, although hardly able to gauge which ones of the elk are sick, would not want to eat a sick elk, now would they? By substituting humans for predators that have evolved in tandem with the rest of the creatures and plants within their habitat, you risk crashing the entire system.
I don't know you personally, and so I will refrain from calling you short-sighted, but I will remind you to pick up a book or two on wolves, eco-systems, and trophic cascades. For what is completely gone is gone forever; if the wolves go, then your beloved elk will be not so far behind.
Lin
PS Antelope in Yellowstone? They also migrate, up to 170 miles to the south.
I’ve made three trips since the late 1990s and each time have viewed fewer of these animals. About four years ago the only elk (about 50 head) we saw were in the town of Mammoth Hot Springs. During our trip this summer we saw some bison, no bears or antelope, and only two bull elk. Since the introduction of wolves in the 1990s, it is vividly clear that they have taken a toll, especially on the once magnificence herds of elk which were estimated at around 18,000 head before wolf reintroduction. The current population is around 2,800 head and their future existence is now unknown because the calf survivable ratio is so low that sustaining the parks’ northern elk herd is questionable.
My four grandchildren were very excited to see herds of elk but were extremely disappointed not to see them. The wolf lovers can be blamed for ruining one of the parks’ main wildlife attractions. I feel sorry for the future generations that will not have the grand memories of the elk that I have.
Mike Sedlock
East Helena
MY RESPONSE:
Dear Mike,
I have no idea where you went in Yellowstone or how long your visits were, but let me tell you about mine. While I was there, in late May to the second week of June, I saw more bison than you or I could count, moose (in the swampy areas), bears (1 juvie grizzly and 1 black bear with 2 cubs), and elk everywhere. In fact, the Sunday morning I was in a small back country church waiting for Communion, I happened to take a side long gaze at the window beside me and there were two young elk bucks practicing fencing in the woods. At Mammoth, there was this monstrous-sized bull elk with some of his lady friends, all lying around on the grass, thereby preventing us from hitting a picnic table for lunch.
Are you familiar with elk migration and what time they are present in Yellowstone? Do you know anything at all about food webs? How about trophic cascades? You suggest that you do, but do you? Trophic cascade is the effect within an ecosystem when either the removal or addition of the top predator occurs. You assert that because wolves are back in Yellowstone that the elk are disappearing. And you base this on what? Your own observation? Scientific literature? The USFG? I think the former is the most likely source.
Wolves were almost eradicated to the point of extinction, a state to which they will return if something isn't done to stop it. But why should we save them? The loss of wolves means the elk population will breed out of control. Their food consumption will rise, which means the loss of new shoots and the decline of other species of plants. Although this loss won't be noticeable in the short range of time, the long range will show that trees that are the backbone of Yellowstone will decline.
The long range will also cause the elk to suffer. Their numbers will increase and out populate their food source in the winter. Healthy elk will die. The weak and older members of the herds will no longer be picked off and eaten by wolves and our human hunters, although hardly able to gauge which ones of the elk are sick, would not want to eat a sick elk, now would they? By substituting humans for predators that have evolved in tandem with the rest of the creatures and plants within their habitat, you risk crashing the entire system.
I don't know you personally, and so I will refrain from calling you short-sighted, but I will remind you to pick up a book or two on wolves, eco-systems, and trophic cascades. For what is completely gone is gone forever; if the wolves go, then your beloved elk will be not so far behind.
Lin
PS Antelope in Yellowstone? They also migrate, up to 170 miles to the south.
