Originally Posted by LittleCanyonCreek
. While the reduction of the bison population may have been mentioned, I remember that it was mostly about reducing the elk population.


Reduction of elk numbers, which may actually boost bison numbers, is only a benefit of the wolf intro. The entire yellowstone ecosystem has been affected. Just look at before and after photos of a yellowstone aspen stand to see what is happening. Beaver are coming back because streamside vegetation is growing. The streams will start accumulating elevation in their headwaters instead of gullifying from overgrazing, making better habitat for stream dwellers as well as streamside dwellers. Grizzlies have more food. Some bears are not hibernating because they have so much food during winter. Some bears are actually following wolf packs and stealing kills as soon as they are made. That's one reason the number of elk killed per wolf is so high in yellowstone. Hell, even several species of rare beetles are reappearing in the park. A full ecosystem, including all the top predators, is what managers were trying to accomplish. The effects of wolf predation are only by-products. Wolves were introduced to have wolves.

Its refreshing to actually post a reply to a reasonable poster, instead of continually having my boot up troll butt. cool

Gotta go work on our dragon boat now. About two weeks of party around here to go to. See ya'll.

There are many copies.