Effect of Wolf Population Levels in Yellowstone National Park on the Elk Population

• Sabrina Kelly

  Juniata College

  Author

In 1995, gray wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park to decrease the elk (Cervus canadensis) population levels. However, hunters complain that the wolves will kill too many of the elk, so this has become a heated debate between conservationists and hunters. While a new predator or competitor may initially decrease the population of another species, animal species can adapt to changes in their environment after a couple of years. Originally the elk population declined because of the reintroduction of the gray wolf. This study was conducted to see if the elk population in Yellowstone is still decreasing, or if it is increasing or stabilized. To acquire my data set, I searched on the internet for population numbers of elk and gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Then, I created a line graph for the elk population counts, and a line graph for the wolf population counts. My data indicated that the population level for elk is still decreasing. However, the decreasing population may be caused by another factor because my data found that wolf population levels have stabilized.

• PDF