Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming has long been a safe haven for the gray wolf. The park’s terrain is studded with all sorts of wildlife, and has become home to ten packs of wolves.
The current wolf population in and around Yellowstone is no accident. After wolves were put on the endangered species list in 1995, they have been allowed to roam the park without fear ever since.
Yellowstone’s resident wolf biologist, Douglas Smith, says, “Yellowstone is the best place in the world to view wolves.” And he is correct. The wolves, which have become somewhat used to the presence of visitors in the park, attract tourist to the monetary tune of some $35 million a year for Wyoming’s economy.
But, things are changing in Yellowstone, and a verdict passed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals this May will allow wolf hunting. Since experts seem to believe the gray wolf is no longer in danger of extinction, wildlife officials plan on a hunting season for gray wolves some time as early as this fall.
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