Wildlife watching is a major factor in regional tourism, and accounts for much of the industry’s economic benefit across northwestern Wyoming. But as people stop and gather to watch an elk herd graze or a wolf pack chase down prey, the animals are often observing the humans as well. Can the mere presence of humans affect the predator-prey relationship between wolves and elk? Continue Reading →
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Recent Posts
Photos offer intimate look into secrets of Yellowstone migrations
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CODY, WYO. — Eagle Pass lies along the southern boundary of Yellowstone National Park, near Eagle Peak, which at 11,372 feet is the highest spot in Yellowstone. It’s not easy to reach, but photojournalist Joe Riis figured it would be a good spot for a remote camera as part of his efforts to document wildlife migrations around the park. Unfortunately, the camera was in operation only a few days before it was disabled. “A grizzly bear had hit it, and the camera was pushed down in the dirt,” said Riis, a National Geographic contributing photographer and photography fellow at the Wyoming Migration Initiative. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Gateway Towns, Wildlife, Yellowstone, deer, elk, joe riis, migrations, photography
Yellowstone stresses wildlife safety during fall
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Following a summer that brought at lest five visitor injuries resulting from getting too close to bison, as well as the death of a hiker from an encounter with a mother grizzly and cubs, officials in Yellowstone National Park are stressing safety around wildlife as the fall season approaches. As summer winds down and cooler temperatures start to spread across the high country of Yellowstone, some wildlife in the park begin migrating, while others stock up on extra food to pack on the pounds before winter. Elk begin their fall rut, and will soon be vying for the attention of the females by bugling and sparing with other males. In many areas of the park, but especially around Mammoth Hot Springs, the bull elk become more aggressive toward both people and vehicles, and can be a threat to both people and property, according to a statement released by the park’s public affairs office. Elk damage several vehicles every year, and on occasion charge and injure visitors. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Wildlife, Yellowstone, autumn, bison, black bears, elk, fall, grizzly bears
Elk hunt set to begin in Grand Teton
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Elk hunting is set to begin Saturday in Grand Teton National Park, and one area of the park where hunting was previously allowed will remain closed to hunters following violent conflicts there with grizzly bears in recent years. In 2011 a hunter was mauled by a grizzly bear, and in 2012 a grizzly was fatally shot when it charged three elk hunters. No charges were filed in that case after investigators determined the hunters acted appropriately in self-defense. In both cases, the bears were found to be protecting elk carcasses which they had been feeding on. The area where both incidents happened—a section of the Snake River bottom between the Deadman’s Bar river access road and Ditch Creek—will be closed during future hunts. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Grand Teton, Wildlife, elk, elk hunting, elk reduction, hunting
Yellowstone Science Conference looks beyond boundaries for answers
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The 12th Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is being held over three days this week at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, centered on a theme of "Crossing Boundaries." But judging from some of the comments during Tuesday's panel discussions and coffee breaks, it seemed like the conference itself had at times crossed a boundary from the world of esoteric hypotheses posed by cautious researchers into a realm of eager discovery and engaged debate by journalists, advocates and members of the general public. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Research, Science & Nature, Yellowstone, Biennial Scientific Conference on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, dan wenk, david hallac, elk, research
Visitors cautioned as elk rut begins in Yellowstone
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Placid elk lounging around the lawns of Mammoth Hot Springs are a favorite attraction for Yellowstone National Park visitors. But the start of the fall rut means bull elk are much more aggressive toward both people and vehicles. Several vehicles are damaged by elk every year and occasionally people are charged by elk and can be injured. Visitors and residents are asked to use caution when walking near elk and to look around corners before exiting buildings or walking around blind spots. Continue Reading →
Filed under: News, Wildlife, Yellowstone, elk, fall, mammoth hot springs, rut, safety
Cody area has timeless connection to diverse wildlife
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A vast contrast in elevation—along with a wide mix of habitat and large tracts of public and undeveloped private land—are all keys to why Cody, Wyo. boasts an unparalleled diversity of big game, large carnivores and even a surprising array of bird species. Rounding out the picture is a network of blue-ribbon trout waters that criss-cross a sparsely populated region of stark and imposing beauty. It all adds up to an enduring and compelling relationship between the landscape, animals and people, creating a local economy where tourism and ranching are major forces, and a culture that has long celebrated wildlife in ways that are both commonplace and unique. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Gateway Towns, Wildlife, bighorn sheep, cody, elk, habitat, wildlife
Idaho director of Yellowstone conservation group pleads guilty to elk poaching
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The Idaho director of a nonprofit group working to protect habitat and wildlife around Yellowstone National Park has pleaded guilty to elk poaching, and is leaving the organization. Marv Hoyt, who was an outspoken advocate for wildlife in the greater Yellowstone area, admitted last month in Idaho's Sixth District Court that he illegally killed two cow elk in Caribou County, according to a report in the Idaho State Journal. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Gateway Towns, elk, greater yellowstone coalition, marv hoyt, poaching
A ‘Primoridial’ look at Yellowstone and Grand Teton
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Filmmaker Charley Voorhis spent three days in Yellowstone National Park and five days in Grand Teton National Park capturing images of wildlife, scenery and weather to create "Primordial," a captivating 7-minute video that offers an intimate and gorgeous portrait of the parks. While in Yellowstone, Voorhis, spent most of his time "trying to dry off after countless storms would roll in and swallow the caldera, then roll out and give me sunshine with dark clouds looming on the horizon," he writes on his blog. Continue Reading →
Filed under: Photos & Videos, bison, charley voorhis, elk, video, weather
Groups work to reduce grizzly bear conflicts around Jackson
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Federal, state and nonprofit organizations are working together this month to reduce conflicts between grizzly bears and people in Jackson, Wyo. and the surrounding area. Through educational presentations and distribution of bear deterrent spray to hunters, the groups hope to avoid encounters that might result in injury or death to either people or bears. Continue Reading →