Compassionate Conservation for Yellowstone’s Wolves
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
2016 |
Authors: |
T. Povilitis |
Publication/Journal: |
Natural Areas Journal |
Keywords: |
animal welfare, breeder loss, compassionate conservation, ecology, forestry, management, protection, social-structure, united-states, wildlife, wolf management, wolves, yellowstone |
ISBN: |
0885-8608 |
Abstract:
States in the Northern Rocky Mountains of the United States manage the gray wolf (Canis lupus) at low population levels through trophy hunting and lethal control. Although protected in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), wolves are subject to removal when they cross park boundaries. Thus, wolf management in the states adjacent to YNP is pitted against a large group of stakeholders interested in park wolves and their well-being. Federal and state decision makers should adopt “compassionate conservation” for Yellowstone wolves as a matter of equitable public policy and to improve biological and societal outcomes. Humane considerations should be paramount, given the high value and level of public interest in park wolves. This paper addresses the need to make animal welfare an essential aspect of wolf management in the YNP area.