Wolf population declines by 20% in 2012

Yellowstone National Park is reporting that its wolf population has decreased by roughly 20% in 2012.

Since December of 2007 the wolf population has declined from 171, to just 80 in December of 2012. The sharp declines are the result of wolves killing each other, food stress, disease, and human-caused mortality inside and outside the park.

The park also states that these fluctuations are natural and primarily in response to fewer elk, their primary prey.

For more in-depth information on Yellowstone's wolves and the 2012 Wolf Hunt, please click here.


Jeff
Hiking in Glacier National Park