Wolves possible effect on Pronghorn populations

[AGCHAWK]

Got this through one of my many research sites. Whether you are a proponent or an advocate of the wolf, it is an interesting read:

( I am not posting this to get into an arguement about the wolf introduction. I just thought it was interesting)

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As western states debate removing the gray wolf from protection under the Endangered Species Act, a new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society cautions that doing so may result in an unintended decline in another species: the pronghorn, a uniquely North American animal that resembles an African antelope.

The study, appearing in the latest issue of the journal Ecology, says that fewer wolves mean more coyotes, which can prey heavily on pronghorn fawns if the delicate balance between predators and their prey is altered. As per the study, healthy wolf packs keep coyote numbers in check, while rarely feeding on pronghorn fawns themselves. As a result, fawns have higher survival rates when wolves are present in an ecosystem.

People tend to believe that more wolves always mean fewer prey, said WCS researcher Dr. Kim Berger, lead author of the study. But in this case, wolves are so much bigger than coyotes that it doesnt make sense for them to waste time searching for pronghorn fawns. It would be like trying to feed an entire family on a single Big Mac.

Over a three-year period, scientists radio-collared more than 100 fawns in wolf-free and wolf-abundant areas of Grand Teton National Park and monitored their survival throughout the summer. The results showed that only 10 percent of fawns survived in areas lacking wolves, but where coyote densities were higher. In areas where wolves were abundant, 34 percent of pronghorn fawns survived. Wolves reduce coyote numbers by killing them outright or by causing them to shift to safer areas of the Park not utilized by wolves.

While pronghorn are not endangered, the population that summers in Grand Teton National Park, part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, had been reduced to fewer than 200 animals in recent years. Since wolves were reintroduced in 1995, the pronghorn population in Grand Teton has increased by approximately 50 percent. These pronghorn have the longest migration more than 200 miles roundtrip of any land mammal in the lower 48 states. The Wildlife Conservation Society has called for permanent protection of their migration corridor, known as Path of the Pronghorn, to prevent the animals from going extinct in the Park. Representatives from the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service recently pledged support for protecting the corridor.

If delisting occurs, Wyoming and Idaho have announced their intention to reduce wolf number by 50percent and 80 percent, respectively. At present, there are an estimated 300 wolves in Wyoming and 700 in Idaho.

This study shows just how complex relationships between predators and their prey can be, said Berger. Its an important reminder that we often dont understand ecosystems nearly as well as we think we do, and that our efforts to manipulate them can have unexpected consequences.

[TheGreatwhitehunter]

interesting article, but there are still way to many wolves and the elk, deer, moose, sheep populations will continue to suffer until a proper managment plan is put in place in all western states.

[MuleyMadness]

Very interesting article, I liked it. Good points.

I'd still probably rather see the wolf populations in check and numbers down/manageable and then lets let/get hunters to take of thinning out the dang coyotes. They do serious damage to Mule Deer and Antelope fawns and I'm not a fan of that one bit. Very FEW Antelope fawns in some of my favorite places due to coyotes IMO.

We need a bounty on all coyotes and we should have then count for Dedicated Hunter hours in UTAH IMO.

Thanks for the read.

[Snake River Marksman]

what they don't point out, is that the three animals' habitat don't overlap that much. In certain places, in very LOCAL situations, sure, but not in general.

[waynedevore]

Antelope populations fluctuate 50% in a year in many places. So many things to take into consideration. Weather being the main limiting factor. Basing management on one study is nothing but a joke. Funny that a wolf won't waste time on a Antelope fawn. Like a calf Elk or a Mule deer fawn will feed the pack? That's why they kill so many, young of any species is easy pray. Another study will have different results.

[AGCHAWK]

I agree Wayne. I just wanted to point out what this one study came up with. In thier defense, they did say "possible" effects when they released this study.

Either way, it's something else to look at. After all, the ecosystem is a rather complexe entity...much more complexe than a lot of people care to admit or fail to realize.

This sort of stuff is a "hobby" of mine and I love to sift through various game management studies and papers in my spare time. Thought I would share it with everyone since it is one of the more "hot item" topics these days.

[Larry]

I helped Wyo. G&F do a antelope fawn mortality study about 10 years ago west of Cheyenne. there was a 60% mortality rate in the 1st 2 weeks. No wolves in the area. but everthing that is a predator was killing antelope fawns, Coyotes, red fox, eagles, even bagers got in on the feast. Now with the drought some of the doe's dry up after a couple of weeks because of poor forage losing there fawn.

[Hiker]

We didn't see a lot of fawns this year when we were hunting by Powell. Golden Eagles were everywhere and IMHO they were the main killers.