History of Wolves

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History of Wolves
Extermination England 1486 Scotland 1743 Ire
land 1776 Japan 1910 France 1920
United States?
About 5 subspecies of wolves in NA. but little
genetic difference found everywhere north of
Mexico City
1805-1806 Lewis and Clark reported abundant
wolves and noted predation on buffalo
As west was settled, killing wolves a civic duty
(John Audubon, Aldo Leopold)
Fur trade, late 1800s
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History of Wolves
Area around Yellowstone N.P. 1865 fur traders
(strychnine) 1870s Buffalo trade 1880 rancher
s moving in Wolves blamed for loss of cattle
and wildlife
1883 First Montana wolf bounty
legislation 1883 1 per wolf 1911 15 per
wolf
1805-1806
As west, Aldo Leopold)
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
Worlds first N. P.
1872 Congress passes legislation to create
park congress strictly prohibits wanton
destruction of wildlife 1886 U.S. Calvary
sent to park to protect wildlife
1912 wolves start to increase in the park
1914 U. S. Biological Survey funded to
eradicate wolves, praire dogs
1916 U. S. Park Service founded 1918 take
control of park duties of new employees include
wolf eradication destroy dens
1926 last wolf killed (1918-1926 136 wolves
killed)
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
How the wolves came home.
1960s Elk herd so large park rangers start
annual thinning 1968 Park adopts natural
regulation policy let nature run its course
Conservationists argue elk are harming wildlife
Park contends changes in flora and fauna due
to fire suppression, geology, and climate
Mammologists and conservationists had been
fighting against predator control since the turn
of the century. In 1944, Aldo Leopold, who was
famous as a wildlife management biologist called
for returning wolves to Yellowstone - During the
20th century, biologists realized the importance
of predators for regulating animal populations
Kaibab plateau deer management 1906-1920s
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
How the wolves came home.
1973 Endangered Species Act includes
provision to generate recovery plan 1974 wolf
recovery team appointed
Recovery team Leader Bart OGara Mt Coop
unit Hank Fischer Defenders of
Wildlife Joe Helle, sheep rancher 1982
first plan released
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
Public response was immediate fear for
livestock fear for wildlife fear for children
(Rep. L. Craig, Idaho)
Politicians set up public hearings
1983- second plan released focused on three
recovery areas NW. Montana (Glacier N.
P.) Central Idaho Yellowstone N. P.
area Plan called for delisting 2 of
3 natural recovery
1985 the plan was finalized with re-introduction
under experimental populations provision of ESA
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
Changing public opinion Conservationists
started using MN as example of successful wolf
recovery In MN wolves threatened not
endangered no restrictions on
grazing livestock killers were
removed Defenders of Wildlife paid for lost
cattle Every sector of society supported
wolves except ranchers
Early 80s The topic was a hot potato and the
park, wanting to avoid controversy, was lukewarm
on pressing the issue
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
1985 Survey park visitors 74 - thought wolves
would improve park 60 - favored re-introducing
them if they did not return on their own
Wolves and humans display
in 1984, Reagan appointed a new Park Service
Director William Penn Mott, Jr. he became
highest advocate for wolf re. Made suggestion
to Hank Fischer
Through the mid-80s public support for the
wolves grew political support lagged. Jim
McClure Senator from Idaho (energy,
appropriations) Carl Haywood assistant
attended Wolf Recovery Team meetings
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
McClures office supports the plan alterior
motives experimental populations would not fall
under regular protection afforded by ESA
therefore, no restrictions on mining, logging,
etc.
1986 plan opened to public review for 3rd
time conservation groups mount another letter
writing campaign
1987 regional USFW official signs plan
conservationist take ranchers to MN Dave
Mech Haywood suggestion no proceeding until
ranchers needs met
wolves recolonize northern MT start killing
cattle the gov followed its plan wolves
were eventually killed livestock lost ten
sheep, 5 cows Conservationist and ranchers
furious
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
Fischer approaches Defenders of wildlife about
compensation fund one time payout fischer had
to raise the 3K
Local state politicians continued to prevent
reintroduction in YNP Director of USFW opposed
plan
Sept 87 Utah freshman senator introduces bill
to force Dept of interior to reintroduce wolves
into YNP Cheney response!
USFW hires Ed Bangs as Wolf biologist worked in
Alaska with wolf recovery continues public
relations campaign worked with animal damage
control on problem wolves
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
1970 US enacts National Evironmental Policy
Act - requires Environmental Impact Statement
before gov. undertakes an act that will affect
the people or the environment.
Wyoming congressional delegation was holding up
EIS as a way to stop progression money for the
study disappeared from budget every year
1988 house passes budget senate removes EIS
money (McClure) but funds a study of possible
effects on re-introduction
1989 Owens tries to force EIS in 2 years
fails budget battle again results in research
money
1990 McClure announces retirement Wolves for
Yellowstone? Released predicts economic
benefit for local economy
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
1990 McClure announces retirement Wolves for
Yellowstone? Released predicts economic benefit
for local economy
McClure holds hearing where livestock groups
continue to fight re-intro. McClure warns of
implications of what will happen if wolves on
their own.
1990 house passes budget senate removes EIS
money McClure forms Wolf Management
Committee - MT Stockgrowers Association passes
a McClure like resolution supporting reinto of
wolves with lots of safeguards for ranchers
WMC comes up with plan without delisting
wolves Defenders of Wildlife oppose killing by
individuals fischer knows it is a
reality consensus breaks up before vote on plan
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
WMC plan eventually passed is too far to right
and dies in congress
1992 budget finally has EIS money for Yellowstone
and Central Idaho wolves
The EIS had 5 alternatives USFW selected
alternative 1 in 1994
Conservation groups and Wyoming Farm Bureau sued
USFW Lawsuits were combined and on Jan 3, 1995,
denied
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History of Yellowstone N. P.
Jan 12, 1995 wolves from Canadian Rockies
driven onto YNP plans are to hold them in a pen
overnight before release Wyoming Farm Bureau
files injunction against release Wolves must be
held in travel containers during 48hr stay After
36 hours the court ruled against WFB and the 8
wolves were released at 1030 PM
Jan 14 4 wolves are released to pens at Frank
Church River of No Return wilderness, Idaho.
Within a week 11 more were released in Idaho and
6 more in YNP
On March 21, 1995, the park service took down the
pens and released the wolves