Yellowstone's Wolves: 30 Years Later

Govind Tekale

In 2025, the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone will celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Photo Source: Yellowstone National Park (CC BY-SA 2.0)

After being removed from the park in the 1920s, wolves were brought back in 1995.

Photo Source: Yellowstone National Park (PDM 1.0)

According to some biologists, wolves were naturally recolonizing.

Photo Source: Yellowstone National Park (PDM 1.0)

Elk overgrazing decreased when wolves returned because it set off a trophic cascade.

Photo Credit: NPS / Jacob W. Frank (PDM 1.0)

Research indicates that the presence of wolves increases willow growth by 1,500%.

Photo Credit: Neal Herbert (PDM 1.0)

Wolves from Yellowstone provide special insights into hunting and pack dynamics.

Photo Source: Yellowstone National Park (PDM 1.0)

For bison hunts to be effective, older wolves are essential.

Photo Source: Shawn Kinkade (CC BY-NC 2.0)

The most thorough wolf research in the world is still the Yellowstone Wolf Project.

Photo Source: Yellowstone National Park (PDM 1.0)

Current wolf reintroduction initiatives are shaped by lessons learned from Yellowstone.

Photo Source: Michael McCarthy (CC BY-ND 2.0)