A report says that the elk herds in Yellowstone are greatly diminished. Does anyone have a recent report on the Elk?

I have to agree. I am in Yellowstone now and compared to this time frame in pass years, this is the least elk that I have seen in the wild. There are several cows on the lawn around the Mammoth Hot Springs complex. Bulls are rare. I only saw one young bull in the wild that was close enough that I could take a picture of him

Was there last fall during the rut. Lower numbers of animals was obvious, Same was true for the buffalo. Looked online and found that elk numbers were down 60% since the introduction of the wolf, and I believe those were 2011 numbers. Did not see a moose at all in the park. Wildlife is why we've return to Yellowstone many times but we decided not again. The scenery is gorgous but we come for the wildlife.

Hmmm...."A report says"- no link.Is this really about elk?I ask because this is how big arguments about wolf reintroduction/recovery are usually started.

A recent study (Billings Gazette article) indicates a large degree of the decline due to migratory herds no longer migrating, primarily due to drought conditions over the past years. Additionally, those cows that do migrate have a lowered pregnancy rate, so fewer calves are being born. I've also seen reports that increased numbers are being taken by lions and, of course, that 2 legged predator, humans. My point is that there are a lot of factors contributing to the decline in elk numbers. Wolves, being efficient predators,certainly may be part of the decline, but not the ONLY reason, as is commonly portrayed.

Not looking to start anything, we all have our own thoughts. Just saying our observation was far fewer animals and a article I read confirmed our observation for the period since the introduction. The article nor I said there was any one cause of the reduction in #'s.

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br549
Explorer
Jun 26, 2013
Was there last fall during the rut. Lower numbers of animals was obvious, Same was true for the buffalo. Looked online and found that elk numbers were down 60% since the introduction of the wolf, and I believe those were 2011 numbers. Did not see a moose at all in the park. Wildlife is why we've return to Yellowstone many times but we decided not again. The scenery is gorgous but we come for the wildlife.
rv2go
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2013
I have to agree. I am in Yellowstone now and compared to this time frame in pass years, this is the least elk that I have seen in the wild. There are several cows on the lawn around the Mammoth Hot Springs complex. Bulls are rare. I only saw one young bull in the wild that was close enough that I could take a picture of him

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