Fuchsia Dragon | [email protected]
It has been 25 years since grey wolves were taken from Jasper to Yellowstone to reintroduce the species to the park.
And to celebrate the anniversary, Yellowstone National Park biologists are hosting Facebook Live events to talk about the milestone project, its origins, and what has been learned over the last 25 years.
In January 1995, U.S. and Canadian wildlife officials captured 14 wolves from multiple packs east of Jasper National Park and transferred them to Yellowstone.
There, the grey wolves were released into three acclimation pens - Crystal Creek, Rose Creek and Soda Butte Creek in the Lamar Valley - before being released into the wild two months later.
The following year, 17 more wolves captured in Canada arrived in Yellowstone in January and were released into the park three months later. These were the last wolves released into the park as officials believed that the natural reproduction and survival were sufficient.
Senior Wildlife Biologist Doug Smith recapped the significant events that led to the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone in the first Facebook Live session on Tuesday, March 3.
The next broadcast takes place March 10 when Wildlife Biologist Dan Stahler and Wildlife Research Associate Kira Cassidy will highlight scientific discoveries learned over the last 25 years.
On March 17, retired Wolf Interpreter Rick McIntyre and Senior Wildlife Biologist Doug Smith will tell stories from the field about how wolves have impacted the visitor experience.
On March 24, Wildlife Research Associate Kira Cassidy and Wildlife Biologist Dan Stahler will talk about the global impact of reintroduction.
And on March 31 Senior Wildlife Biologist Doug Smith will look to the future and discuss the relationship between wolves and people.
Each broadcast starts at 11 a.m. MST at www.facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS.
