MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS — Yellowstone National Park Wolf Biologist Doug Smith was brought to Yellowstone National Park 25 years ago to coordinate the reintroduction of wolves into the park. He shared with us some of the challenges the park faced to make that happen. We also talked about the wolf population in the park today.
Smith talked about the impact wolves have had on other species in Yellowstone, including elk, which were the source of some of the more contentious comments made about not bringing wolves back 25 years ago. “Wolves will destroy the elk population” was a common refrain. 25 years later, Smith says the elk population is healthier than it has been in decades.
Smith also talked about the future of wolves, the on-going studies of the population and what we’ve already learned from the wolves of Yellowstone.
