Their ancient struggle apparently has little effect on their populations-
That’s the conclusion of Dr. Doug Smith who heads the Park’s wolf program.
I think that might well be true overall, but Yellowstone Park is a small place when it comes to major predators. With the wolf population in the Park as small as it now is, random fluctuations of predatory effects might, in my opinion, have an important effect on the wolves as far as the Park alone is concerned. . . RM
Bears butting in on Yellowstone wolf kills. Battle of carnivores ultimately has little effect on population. By Cory Hatch. Jackson Hole News and Guide.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
I remember once seeing a juvenille grizzly bear (around 2 1/2 years old, around 300 or so lbs) fighting off 4 fully grown male wolves for a deer carcass on the edge of a river. It was absolutely amazing. The grizzly fended them off as much as he could, but eventually gave it up. Just true nature at its best right there.
What I wouldn’t give to see 12 or more Grizzlies at once in Yellowstone , feeding on a carcass, with 12 or more Wolves watching and waiting.
That would be worth it all…