Biologist says Yellowstone wolf population may be reaching saturation

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) - Yellowstone National Park is full of wolves only four years after 14 of the previously missing predators were transplanted from Canada, according to the leader of the wolf recovery project.

There are now 111 wolves in 10 packs roaming the park. The packs are growing at one of the highest rates ever seen in the wild and Yellowstone has "pretty much reached its wolf saturation," Doug Smith said last week.

The animals have dispersed throughout the park, established territories, bred and killed elk, bison, coyotes and even each other.

"These wolves are fit," Smith said. "They are some of the fattest wolves I have ever seen."

It appears the wolf population may now be stabilizing. Smith expects fewer pups this year than last year, when 44 pups were born to seven packs. That is partly because the park resources cannot accommodate many more wolves, he said.

Nine packs have set up territories extending beyond the park borders. The wolves tend to concentrate around elk and bison herds.

While it is still early to measure the effects of the wolf reintroduction, Smith said there are some visible changes. The Yellowstone coyote population has dropped by half and seven bison have been killed. About 450 elk are killed by wolves each year.

Scavengers seem to benefit from the wolves. Ravens follow packs and peck on the carcasses left behind.

Grizzly bears have been seen following wolves and taking over kills. Coyotes that keep a low profile profit by feeding on meat that is left behind.

The wolves, on the other hand, work hard for their food. Only 25 percent of wolf attacks result in a kill, according to Smith.

"These animals, their idea of hardship, their idea of pain is just incredible," he said.

Wolves that have moved south into Jackson Hole are giving the general public views of what some of the most prominent observers have not seen: wolves hunting elk.

On Thursday, motorists passing the elk refuge watched as three wolves ran into an elk herd. The wolves chased a cow elk from the herd and attacked.

Clawing at its haunches, nipping its back legs and seizing its neck, they brought the elk down and killed it within minutes.

Such behavior is normal, according to Ed Bangs, wolf recovery leader for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"What they're doing they've done for years and years. Now they are just doing it in a highly visible spot," he said.