AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

Scientists credit wolves with restoring balance to Yellowstone’s ecosystem, reducing elk populations and allowing aspen and willows to recover from overgrazing. Now more beaver and songbirds are seen. Wolf packs have also created economic benefits for tourism operators with some of the U.S.’S most visible wolf populations but not everyone is a fan.

When wolves in the lower 48 states were stripped of Endangered Species Act protection in 2020 and hunting quotas near the national park were removed, mortality increased to levels not seen since the reintroduction. In the most recent season, 20 per cent of Yellowstone’s wolf population were killed when animals wandered outside the park. The Phantom Lake Pack has been completely eliminated and wolf lovers are rallying for wolf protection. There are only roughly 95 wolves that now call the park home.