Although wolves once roamed much of the United States, loss of habitat and extermination programs led to the demise of a significant majority of their population including inside Yellowstone National Park. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the northern Rocky Mountain wolf as an endangered species in 1973, designating the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as one of three recovery areas.
Between 1995 and 1997, 41 wild wolves from Canada and northwest Montana were released into the Yellowstone area. Today the park continues to help ensure the species’ long-term viability in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Since 2009, Yellowstone’s wolf population has fluctuated between 83 and 123 individuals.
Tourists can spot wolves throughout much of the park particularly at dawn and dusk, though the northern range of Yellowstone is considered to be one of the best places in the world to observe the animals. While spotting a wolf in the wild is certainly an exciting experience, it’s important that park visitors keep their distance and respect the animals unlike these people in the video below.
While this wolf approached a road inside Yellowstone National Park, several tourists exited their vehicles with their cameras ready and prepared to snap the perfect shot. Unfortunately several people in the clip decided to remain far too close to the animal as it crossed the street.
Visitors are required to give most animals in Yellowstone National Park at least 25 yards of space at all times, but both bears and wolves need to be given at least 100 yards or about the length of 8 standard busses. There has never been a wolf attack in Yellowstone, but getting too close to the animals or attempting to feed them can lead to habituation and eventually their death. Read more on wolf safety below:
Wolf Safety in Yellowstone National Park:
Wolves are not normally a danger to people, unless they become habituated to their presence and food (there has never been an attack in Yellowstone). Two habituated wolves have been killed in the park. Help us protect wolves in Yellowstone by:
- Remaining at least 100 yards away when watching or photographing them.
- Telling a ranger if you see wolves near developed areas or approaching people.
- Keeping your dog leashed at all times when it’s outside a vehicle.
If you’re concerned about a wolf because it’s too close or not showing any fear of people, stand tall and hold your ground. If the wolf approaches you, wave your arms, yell, and flare your jacket. If that doesn’t discourage it, throw something at it or use bear spray. Group up with other people, continue waving and yelling, and tell a ranger as soon as possible.
Do not handle wolf scat: it may contain tapeworm eggs that can cause hydatid disease in humans.
I was actually here and these people and we were viewing two wolves from the road and maintained a safe distances— at least 100 yards. They were most visible with binoculars and spotting scopes. Then this wolf came out of nowhere from the trees and surprised everyone. We all just held very still, or some people scurried out of his way and let him do his thing. He wasn’t interested in us at all.
People are the problem, especially the stupid ones who approach wildlife.