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| MONDAY Sept 25, 2000 Vol 4, # 61 |
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| MONDAY Sept 25, 2000 Vol 4, # 61 |
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| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion Free Internet, Email, More Email Newsletter | |
YELLOWSTONE ROAD
REPORT PUBLISHER EDITOR-IN-
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 PROTECTING YELLOWSTONEby Bruce Gourley Yellowstone is a national treasure which is owned by the American public. Protecting Yellowstone is the responsibility of the American public. This weekly feature will help identify and explore the issues which are crucial to the ongoing, healthy existence of the "Crown Jewel" of America's National Park system. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK (YNET) -- The larger Yellowstone ecosystem is the largest intact natural ecosystem in the continental United States. Yellowstone is known for its variety of wildlife as much as it is known for its geysers and hot springs. Managing the wildlife of the Yellowstone ecosystem in such a way that their native environment and innate interaction is preserved is an ongoing challenge. Yellowstone is managed according to the concept of "natural regulation," that is, according to natural processes, rather than according to a humanly-determined methodology which seeks certain results. How does "natural regulation" actually work? The Park Service explains the concept thus: The natural regulation of wildlife may involve both an animal's internal physiology and its external environment. To varying degrees, wildlife populations exhibit "self regulation," which means their growth tends to slow down as the population becomes more dense and to increase if their numbers decline - a biofeedback response. For example, as more elk inhabit the same range, the cows carry less fat and produce fewer calves, and the calves that are born weigh less and are therefore less likely to survive. As the northern Yellowstone elk population has grown, researchers have documented a decline in pregnancy rates and increases in the winter mortality of calves, yearlings, and older bulls. Environmental factors such as climate and predation also play a large role in controlling an animal population. During a predation study done from 1987 to 1990, about one third of the elk born on the Northern Range were lost within one month to predation by grizzly bears, black bears, coyotes, and golden eagles, and an average of 20% of the population died each winter, mostly from undernutrition in the very young and very old. But while a policy of natural regulation may work for elk on the Northern Range, it's not appropriate in all wildlife management situations. National Park Service policy and federal legislation will continue to require intervention in certain circumstances - for example, to restore wolves and native fish, to suppress exotic plants and animals, to fight fire in specified situations, and to cull bison. Hunting on public lands adjacent to the park can also be used to complement natural regulation. The challenge is to pay careful attention to the consequences of ecosystem processes while resisting the temptation to step in to "fix a problem" that may be more complex or of a different type than first appears. (Yellowstone Net provides you opportunity to voice your opinion regarding the various Yellowstone issues to your congresspersons and to editorial sections of magazines and newspapers by clicking here.) |
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS AND COLUMNISTS Ralph Maughan
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RAPTOR
VIEWING OPPORTUNITIES YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone National Park is inviting the public to view migrating raptors again this year with park staff ornithologist Terry McEneaney. During the fall, raptors migrate over Mt. Washburn (between Canyon Junction and Tower Junction) in relatively large numbers (this migration may be affected by weather conditions). Visitors interested in participating in this viewing opportunity are asked to meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 30, 2000, and/or Sunday, October 1, 2000, at the Chittenden Road parking area on the north slope of Mt. Washburn (weather permitting). Rain, snow, and strong winds have been known to cancel the event in the past. However, weather conditions are impossible to predict on a high mountain summit like Mt. Washburn. Participants will be required to hike two miles, with an elevation gain of approximately 1,000 vertical feet, to the designated observation point. Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and it could be windy or chilly on the day of the event, so dress appropriately with plenty of layers that can be added or deleted as needed—warm clothing, a windbreaker, a warm hat and gloves, etc. It is important to bring liquids to prevent dehydration, and participants are encouraged to bring something to snack or lunch on. An appropriate spotting scope or binoculars is also recommended. Participants can come and go as they please, and the event will terminate each day at approximately 3 p.m. Special arrangements can be made for visitors with disabilities who wish to participate by calling Terry McEneaney at (307) 344-2222. "This is a great educational opportunity for anyone interested in learning about raptor identification and migration", Terry McEneaney noted. "People that have participated in this event in the past have really enjoyed themselves. Everyone is welcome to attend this exciting annual event." |
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| WILDFIRES AND ROADS
UPDATE News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK -- The Yellowstone National Park region, as well as the states of Montana and Wyoming, experienced a snowstorm this past weekend which led to a number of record lows and dumped well over a foot of snow in some places. As a result, the Interagency Fire Center based in Boise, Idaho has declared the 2000 fire season to be officially over. The snowstorm of this past weekend also signals the end of summer in the Yellowstone region. The Tower to Canyon road via Dunraven Pass is scheduled to close on October 10, as is the Beartooth Pass leading to the Park's Northeast entrance. All other roads in the Park, with the exception of the North entrance to Cooke City segment, are scheduled to close on November 6. However, temporary road closures due to winter weather may occur at any time. |
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| GRIZZLY UPDATE News Brief Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is continuing to hold "Roundtable" discussions about strategies for Grizzly Bear Management. Some key issues being addressed include human safety, habitat issues, enforcement concerns, funding issues, future distribution of grizzlies, population monitoring and hunting of grizzlies. The public meetings is allowing the public to have input on the above issues, as well as to raise any new issues. The remaining meetings are being held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the following dates and places: September 25 -- Dillon, Search and Rescue
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