History of the Grey Wolf Historically, the range of the grey wolf was spread across the majority of North America but was hunted to extinction in the lower 48 states by 1974. The local extinction was caused by fear and the belief that wolves were causing losses to livestock across the United States. Reintroduction started in Yellowstone in 1995 and 1996 with an initial population of 66 wolves which has grown into a population of 1,000 in 2006. Wolves are social amongst themselves, but typically avoid interaction with humans, living in groups between 2 to and up to 15 individuals and a territory ranging from 50 to 1,000 square miles. Wolves are social animals and prefer to hunt animals such as elk, deer, and moose (“Fast Facts: The Gray Wolf").
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Hazing techniques that were developed to reduce the habituation of coyotes to humans may also be applied to wolves. By educating the public of hazing techniques we can reduce fear they may have of interactions with wolves and what they could do if they encounter a wolf in the wild. Through scientific studies we can find what the actual risk of human wildlife conflict is for the typical individual and how to reduce the possibility of these conflicts. Methods to reduce human wildlife conflict, that have been used for wildlife currently existing in the state , are by keeping food in secure plastic bags during hikes, away from campsites, cooking 100 feet from the campground, and tying food in a secure container above the ground 200 feet from the campsite (See Figure. Although wolves typically rely on food sources that prevent them from scavenging, using secure trash cans in human developments is recommended. Through education and signs we can encourage practices that prevent human wildlife …show more content…
With wolves around ungulates no longer overgrazing the riparian areas, staying in one place too long makes prey vulnerable, keeping the riparian area in a healthy balance between overgrowth and overgrazing allows the beaver to thrive (Hannibal). There are many benefits that can be found from increasing the beaver population such as increasing the water yield available to surrounding cities, reduce flooding, making ecosystems more resilient and dams that serve as a reservoir for carbon by creating rich soil that can hold more carbon (Hannibal). “Wolves are connected to climate change: without them, these landscapes would be more vulnerable to the effects of those big weather events we will increasingly experience as the planet warms
Hazing techniques that were developed to reduce the habituation of coyotes to humans may also be applied to wolves. By educating the public of hazing techniques we can reduce fear they may have of interactions with wolves and what they could do if they encounter a wolf in the wild. Through scientific studies we can find what the actual risk of human wildlife conflict is for the typical individual and how to reduce the possibility of these conflicts. Methods to reduce human wildlife conflict, that have been used for wildlife currently existing in the state , are by keeping food in secure plastic bags during hikes, away from campsites, cooking 100 feet from the campground, and tying food in a secure container above the ground 200 feet from the campsite (See Figure. Although wolves typically rely on food sources that prevent them from scavenging, using secure trash cans in human developments is recommended. Through education and signs we can encourage practices that prevent human wildlife …show more content…
With wolves around ungulates no longer overgrazing the riparian areas, staying in one place too long makes prey vulnerable, keeping the riparian area in a healthy balance between overgrowth and overgrazing allows the beaver to thrive (Hannibal). There are many benefits that can be found from increasing the beaver population such as increasing the water yield available to surrounding cities, reduce flooding, making ecosystems more resilient and dams that serve as a reservoir for carbon by creating rich soil that can hold more carbon (Hannibal). “Wolves are connected to climate change: without them, these landscapes would be more vulnerable to the effects of those big weather events we will increasingly experience as the planet warms