Wolf Kill Site Investigation at Yellowstone - Horizon: Predators In Your Backyard - BBC Two

More about this programme: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00zfp4m

The gray wolf restoration project at Yellowstone National Park is one of the leading predator reintroduction projects in the world and one of the most controversial. To investigate the effects of predation on the park, researchers accurately record the crucial data to be found at wolf kill sites.

In this case, the remains of a young elk are found. The leader of the project, Dr Doug Smith, reveals that instead of this being a negative event, predation is actually a positive force that controls elk populations and contributes to the overall health of the elk herds there.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• horizon
• predators
• in
• your
• backyard
• wolves
• elk
• wolf
• kill
• site
• investigation
• yellowstone
• national
• park
• science
• BBC
• Two
• bbctwo

[nanakieverblaze]

@highcountryhal Exactly; and that's not even bringing in the point that one of the alleged reasons they introduced the wolves was to bring up the numbers of the local population through breeding. That failed stupendously, however, as it turned out that the grey wolves they released appeared to have wiped out what remained of the original timber wolves with their size and aggression.

[highcountryhal]

@nanakieverblaze I agree completely. The "genetic diversity" argument went out the window also. A fella shot a wolf eating one of his sheep in southeastern montana, some 600 miles from where he was tagged. Those buggers can cover alot of ground. I think maybe our smaller moose are much easier prey for them also.

[nanakieverblaze]

@highcountryhal Something else that I would like to add to this excellent point (albeit a month late), is that in addition to the wolf population rising, the wolves introduced were from the north and 30% larger than those that initially populated the area. To put it simply, they were developed to survive in much harsher environments than those in Yellowstone, where prey is (very soon to be "was") plentiful has and allowed the wolf population to subsequently multiply at an alarming rate.

[kuwaizair]

can you believe idiot kids think wolves kill prey with one painless bite to the throat? but it is considered bullying to teach them the truth. thanks to the damn"internet police"

[highcountryhal]

Elk populations in yellowstone are dropping, dropping, dropping. Wolf population dropped a bit, but not enough. Moose are now almost nonexistant. With the bison in the park, and this allowing the wolves to keep their current populations, the elk population may yet reach 0.....from 15,000 to less than 4,000 with a 92% calf mortality? We might not see elk in the park in another 10 years.....

[mrceebees14]

mostly pure meat eaters have more energy because of the fat they ingest, yes, FAT the most soluable energy you have. The meat eaters also retained more calories which are needed when you are in that enviorment. What they found is the vegans would be running behind the pack if a predator came at them, the ones in the back of the pack GET EATEN! So eat your toxic tofu (soy is shit) and have fun being the Wolves lunch!

[mrceebees14]

I am sure the Elk really appreciated that.

I have to get past the animal being in pain, I really do. We are such consumers, we even have to watch what we say because everyone is sensitive. Meat played a big role in Human development and one of the reasons we are still here. Before the Vegans open their mouths, if you put meat eaters and vegans in the wild and see who would survive, the meat eaters would win. Why? Because 1) we would eat both 2) the meat eating predators would have you for lunch

[AeroplaneWings]

look, we are animals (mammals) albeit more "developed". it is a contradiction for people obsessed with keeping elk numbers fixed to restore nature, when evolution and time causes populations to change. humans have impacts of local and global food webs. we are just another part of the natural process.

[futureunknown]

BBC=Big Buncha Cocksuckers!

[futureunknown]

I don't buy this at all. No I am not a greenie liberal. I am a hunter myself. But I don't buy it... wolves knowing a less healthier prey? w/e Man is so fucking stupid.Just lke cougars we're introduced where I live.... totally not of this part of the world... to kill off the moose and deer populations.