Sh. Fritts et al., PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A REINTRODUCTION OF WOLVES TO YELLOWSTONE-NATIONAL-PARK AND CENTRAL IDAHO, Restoration ecology, 5(1), 1997, pp. 7-27
The Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery plan proposed reintroduction
of Canis lupus (gray wolf)to Yellowstone National Park and centra Ida
ho as part of a wolf restoration plan for the northern Rocky Mountains
of the United States. Strong opposition from some factions within the
region forestalled the action for two decades. An environmental impac
t statement, conducted in 1992-1994 with extensive public input, culmi
nated in a proposal to reintroduce wolves designated as ''non-essentia
l-experimental'' under Section 10 (j) of the federal Endangered Specie
s Act. This approach, approved by the Secretary of the Interior in 199
4, provided for wolf restoration while allowing management flexibility
to deal with concerns of the local public. A reintroduction plan was
developed in the summer and fall of 1994. Acquiring, holding, transpor
ting, and releasing suitable wolves for reintroduction presented a myr
iad of technical and logistical challenges that required effective pla
nning and coordination by all participants. In January 1995, 29 wolves
were captured in Alberta and transported to Yellowstone National Park
(14) and central Idaho (15). Idaho wolves were freed immediately upon
arrival; Yellowstone wolves (three family groups) were held in acclim
ation pens in the park until late March. Most Idaho wolves traveled ex
tensively within the area intended for them, averaging 82 km net dista
nce away from release sites after 5 months (range = 30-220 km), and th
ree male-female pairs formed by July. After 5 months in the wild, at l
east 13 of 15 Idaho-released wolves were a:live within the intended ar
ea, as were 13 of 14 Yellowstone wolves; one wolf was known to have be
en illegally killed in each area. No livestock were killed. Wolves rel
eased into Yellowstone Park continued to live as packs, stayed closer
to their release sites ((x) over bar = 22 km at end of June), and sett
led into home ranges; two packs produced a total of nine pups. The pro
gress of the reintroduction program in its first year far exceeded exp
ectations. Reintroductions of about 15 wolves to each area for 2-4 mor
e years are scheduled, but the project may be shortened because of ear
ly successes. Future reintroduction planners can expect sociocultural
issues to pervade the effort, but they can be optimistic that, from a
biological standpoint, reintroduction of wolves has strong potential a
s a restoration technique.