A Timeline of Eradication and Reintroduction

1865– Fur trade flourishes around Yellowstone

1870’s- Buffalo trade all but removes buffalo from area

1872- Congress passes legislation to create Yellowstone National Park, and prohibits “wanton destruction of wildlife”

1880– Ranchers blame wolves for loss of cattle and wildlife

1883– First Montana wolf bounty legislation;  Wolf trappers receive $1 per wolf

1886- U.S. Calvary sent to park to protect wildlife (includes removal of pests such as wolves)

1911– Bounty legislation raised to $15 per wolf

1912– Increase in wolf population in park

1914- U. S. Biological Survey (later renamed Fish and Wildlife Service) funded. Initial tasks include eradication of wolves and prairie dogs

1916- U.S. Park Service founded

1918- U.S. Park Service takes control of Yellowstone;  Wolf eradication continues

1925- Viable wolf populations eliminated from the West

1926– Park service kills last two wolves in Yellowstone

1944- Last documented wild wolf killed in Yellowstone area.  Aldo Leopold recommends return wolves to Yellowstone

1960’s– Park rangers begin to thin out elk herds because of overpopulation

1966- Several biologists recommend wolf reintroduction in Yellowstone.

1968- Park adopts “natural regulation” policy

1970- U.S. enacts National Environmental Policy Act

1971- First interagency meeting for management of the northern Rocky Mountain Wolf held In Yellowstone National Park. 

1973- Endangered Species Act signed

1974- wolf recovery team appointed

1980- “Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan” completed by FWS.

1982- first plan released

1983- Due to the public’s fear for livestock, wildlife, and children, politicians set up public hearings, forcing a second plan to be released, focusing on NW. Montana, Central Idaho, and Yellowstone as recovery areas.

1985- Second plan finalized with re-introduction under experimental populations provision of ESA.  Park visitors were surveyed and 74% thought wolves would improve the park, and 60% favored re-introducing wolves.

1986- Plan opened to public review for the 3^rd time.  Conservation groups begin a letter-writing campaign.

1987- “Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan” approved by FWS. 

                 -Mott, the National Park Service Director, suggests beginning Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for reintroduction to Yellowstone. 

                 - Hank Fischer approaches Defenders of Wildlife about compensation fund for ranchers who suffer losses to wolf predation. 

1988- Congress directs NPS and FWS to conduct “Wolves for Yellowstone?” studies and mandate appointment of Wolf Recovery Coordinator. 

                 - Congress removes EIS money from budget but funds a study of possible effects on re-introduction.

1989- Congress removes EIS money from budget but funds more studies on possible effects of wolf re-introduction.

1990- Release of “Wolves for Yellowstone?” study predicts economic benefit for local economy. 

                 -Congress removes EIS money from budget but funds more studies on possible effects of wolf re-introduction.

                 Wolf Management Committee formed—eventually devises plan that does not delist wolves, and is eventually passed, but fails in congress.

1991- Congress directs FWS to prepare EIS on wolf reintroduction into Yellowstone.

1992- Budget contains EIS money for Yellowstone and Central Idaho wolves. 

                 - Congress directs FWS, NPS, and Forest Service to prepare a DEIS on wolf recovery in Yellowstone National Park.          

1994- FW selects an alternative from the EIS that reintroduces wolves as an experimental population, which allows problem wolves feeding on livestock outside the park to be killed.

Jan. 3, 1994- combined lawsuits of conservation groups and Wyoming Farm Bureau against FWS are denied.

Jan. 12, 1994- wolves captured from Canadian Rockies are driven into Yellowstone.  Wyoming Farm Bureau files conjunction against release.  Wolves held in travel containers for 36 hrs until court ruled against WFB and the 8 wolves are released into acclimation pens at 10:30 PM.  About a week later, 6 more wolves released into acclimation pens in Yellowstone.

March 21, 1994- park service took down pens and released wolves.

 

2005 was a tough year for the wolves.  Biologists suspect that Parvovirus has spread through the population, with devastating results for the 2005 pups.  Current wolf population in Yellowstone National Park is estimated at over 118 animals, down from 171 in 2004.  Numerous others are living on federal and private land outside Yellowstone.

The story of the eradication and eventual reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park took over a hundred to play out.  Reintroduction occurred only after measures were made to minimize the negative impacts of the wolves on local ranchers and to allow a means by which problem wolves would be removed from the population.