Wolves in the News
December 9, 2009: Professors Call for Science as Basis for Public Policy
VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University Biology Professor Dr. Brad Bergstrom recently authored a paper titled "The Northern Rocky Mountain gray wolf is not yet recovered," which was published in the December issue of BioScience, the journal of the American Institute of Biological Sciences...
In the article, they contrast the precarious status of this wolf population with other, more completely recovered species that have been removed from the endangered species list.
The paper cites evidence of a lack of migration and genetic connectivity among subpopulations as primary indicators that the wolves need additional protection. There are essentially three separate wolf populations in the region, which spans Montana, Central Idaho and the greater Yellowstone area. If they continue to remain isolated, they will lose genetic variation and suffer the effects of inbreeding, including a reduction in reproductive ability, leading to population decline.
According to the authors, the gray wolf plays an important role as top predator to prevent overpopulation and over browsing by elk, which has devastated ecosystems in many areas of the Rocky Mountains. The wolves' recovery had begun to dramatically reverse the negative effects caused by overpopulation of elk in and around Yellowstone National Park.
This is the first time hunters in the lower 48 states have been allowed to shoot wolves since the species was virtually eradicated in the 1930s. The authors report that hunters in Idaho and Montana have killed nearly 200 wolves since the beginning of hunting season in August 2009. Additionally, Idaho recently extended its season until March, during which they hope to kill at least 100 more. Because additional "problem wolves" may also be shot, authors point out that Idaho may reduce its wolf population by 40 percent in the first year alone. Reduced population will cause even less exchange between groups perpetuating the problem with genetic connectivity.
The paper cites evidence of a lack of migration and genetic connectivity among subpopulations as primary indicators that the wolves need additional protection. There are essentially three separate wolf populations in the region, which spans Montana, Central Idaho and the greater Yellowstone area. If they continue to remain isolated, they will lose genetic variation and suffer the effects of inbreeding, including a reduction in reproductive ability, leading to population decline.
According to the authors, the gray wolf plays an important role as top predator to prevent overpopulation and over browsing by elk, which has devastated ecosystems in many areas of the Rocky Mountains. The wolves' recovery had begun to dramatically reverse the negative effects caused by overpopulation of elk in and around Yellowstone National Park.
This is the first time hunters in the lower 48 states have been allowed to shoot wolves since the species was virtually eradicated in the 1930s. The authors report that hunters in Idaho and Montana have killed nearly 200 wolves since the beginning of hunting season in August 2009. Additionally, Idaho recently extended its season until March, during which they hope to kill at least 100 more. Because additional "problem wolves" may also be shot, authors point out that Idaho may reduce its wolf population by 40 percent in the first year alone. Reduced population will cause even less exchange between groups perpetuating the problem with genetic connectivity.
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