A Yellowstone-sponsored report from the mid-1990s stated "Fifteen North American wolf experts predicted that 100 wolves in Yellowstone would reduce the elk by less than 20 percent, 10 years after reintroduction." In reality, that number turned out to be 44 percent. If you look back at the elk count of 1994, the year before the start of the wolf reintroduction program, the size of the elk herd is now down by 80 percent!
Year Elk Population
2012 3,915
2011 4,174
2010 4,635
2009 6,070
2008 6,279
2007 6,738
2006 6,588
2005 9,545
2004 8,335
2003-02 9,215
2001 11,969
2000 13, 400 (prior to late season elk hunt)
1999 14,538 (prior to late season elk hunt)
1998 11,742
1997 no count taken
1996 no count taken
1995 16,791 (when wolf reintroduction began)
1994 19,045 (year before wolf reintroduction)
Below are comments from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation President and CEO David Allen:
About the nicest thing I can say is this trend continues to disappoint in major proportion. While wolves are certainly not the exclusive factor for the dramatic decline in this once showcase herd of elk in world; there is no denying a correlation of this herd's decline with the introduction of wolves in the greater Yellowstone region. All the rhetoric in the world will not change this issue.
About the nicest thing I can say is this trend continues to disappoint in major proportion. While wolves are certainly not the exclusive factor for the dramatic decline in this once showcase herd of elk in world; there is no denying a correlation of this herd's decline with the introduction of wolves in the greater Yellowstone region. All the rhetoric in the world will not change this issue.
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| David Allen |
Combine this decline with all the other issues elk face in this region including other predators, habitat issues and man's growing presence causes one to consider where and when this does change, how does this end? Additionally, we have environmentalists now calling on Congress to consider re-listing wolves in all states stating that "science supports this..." The manipulation of this entire wolf restoration program into a "fundraising" tool has to be seen for what it is.
The insanity of this has to stop and let state game agencies in all states do their jobs. Like it or not, a huntable, sustainable population of elk is critical to the long term existence of many state game agencies.
M. David Allen
RMEF President & CEO