A Scientist's Opinion
For years, scientists
discussed reintroducing the
gray wolf to Yellowstone National
Park. Before people eliminated
them, wolves were among the
top-level predators of the food
web, or all the food chains in an
ecosystem. Now that wolves have
been reintroduced, they can be
studied using scientific methods.
Scientists want to study whether
or not the gray wolf is essential to
the ecosystem. Scientists put their
own opinions aside and gather
information in an objective, or
neutral, way.
Since 1995, Yellowstone's wolves
have become the most studied
group of wolves in the world. When
the wolves were first released, they
wore tracking collars. These collars
helped scientists track where the
wolves traveled, what they ate, and
how long they lived.
Research has shown that wolves
affect other species in Yellowstone
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in interesting ways. The presence
of the gray wolf keeps elk on
guard. Elk no longer graze in one
place for too long, which prevents
them from overeating certain
trees. Now that the trees are able
to grow again, beavers are using
those trees for food and shelter.
As a result, the beaver population
has increased.
While some people are concerned
about safety, the reintroduction of
wolves in Yellowstone was carefully
planned. Wolves that attack
livestock or get too used to people
are removed. Safety for people,
and for the wolves, is important.
Whatever your opinion is about
the wolves in Yellowstone,
these animals are providing an
opportunity for scientists to
study a top predator in unusual
conditions. Scientists can use this
information to help make informed
decisions about the environment in
the future.
