To read an article entitled, " Wolves’ Return Revitalizes Yellowstone"
http://planetsave.com/2011/12/30/wolves-return-revitalizes-yellowstone/
This article shows how important Wolves are to the ecosystems they live in. Humans have no right to interfere in the lives of wolves on this Planet!! How dare some cattlemen in this world actually lobby the Government in order to have culls of Wolves! As stated in the article other life such as trees and shrubs are now flourishing in Yellowstone National Park because of Wolves as are beaver populations! We need to save the wolves of this Planet, they have as much right to live on the Planet as any other species, including our species! They are essential because they are part of the web of life in the ecosystems they life in and as predators they serve important roles, such as helping keep prey species healthy. In fact
"The gray wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in the spring of 1995, after a 70-year absence. In the past 6 years, the population has grown from 31 released animals to more than 100 individuals, as wolves have exploited an abundant elk population. Consequently, elk that had previously experienced significant mortality primarily in the late winter because of starvation now face mortality throughout the year. When an elk is killed by wolves, its carcass is partially consumed by the wolves and then is scavenged extensively by eight other carnivore species (coyote, bald eagle, golden eagle, grizzly bear, black bear, raven, magpie, and red fox) and less intensely by up to 20 other species. Field observations indicate that the infusion of wolf-killed ungulate carrion throughout the year has created an abundant and dependable food source for these other carnivores." source http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDetail/abstract/6782 .
"Wolves prey mostly on animals that are young or elderly, sick or injured, and weak or unfit, thus keeping prey populations healthy and vigorous (Carbyn 1983). By preventing large herbivores such as deer and elk from becoming overpopulated, wolves help maintain native biodiversity. When deer and elk become too abundant for their habitat, they overgraze it and may destroy the plant base, making the habitat less suitable for other species." source:http://www.defenders.org/programs_and_policy/wildlife_conservation/imperiled_species/wolves/wolf_facts/why_restore_wolves.php
Source of image of wolves photographed in Yellowstone National Park: http://gogreen.motivators.com/image.axd?picture=2011%2F12%2Fyellowstone.jpg
