Scientists see 'double whammy' in wolves' decline

[Hiker]

By CHRIS MERRILL
Casper Star-Tribune

LANDER - Adult wolves in Yellowstone National Park have been killing each other more than usual this year and wolf pups have been dying at the same time, apparently of disease, a park biologist said Tuesday.

It's a "double-whammy" that is likely to mean a crash in the overall Yellowstone wolf population this year, he said.

And the behavior of the adult canines this summer and fall - the relatively high number of wolves killing other wolves - could help confirm a decades-old theory that had long been discounted by many biologists.

Doug Smith, the wolf project leader for Yellowstone National Park, said there were 10 breeding pairs of wolves with surviving pups in the park last year, but this year he expects that number will be cut in half.

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[northern]

HIP..... HIP.....HORRAY..........HIP.....HIP.....HORRAY

[TheGreatwhitehunter]

Good article Hiker thanks for posting.

[AGCHAWK]

Very interesting article Hiker! Thanks for bringing that to us.

[Larry]

From what I saw 2 weeks ago in the Targhee NF there's plenty there. a few less couldn't hurt the hunting any.