PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING A REINTRODUCTION OF WOLVES TO YELLOWSTONE-NATIONAL-PARK AND CENTRAL IDAHO

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.