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| MONDAY April 2, 2001 Vol 5, # 32 |
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| MONDAY April 2, 2001 Vol 5, # 32 |
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| Site Search | Support Yellowstone! Discussion $7.95 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) -- After pledging to be an environmentally-friendly president, George W. Bush in recent weeks has done an about face. In fact, he recently commented that America's national parks have significant potential for oil drilling, leading to cries of outrage by many Americans. Long time Yellowstone supporter Dr. Bob Bara from Chicago has the following to say about the president's anti-national park comments: "One can become complacent with the fact that "our" natural resources are 'protected' in 'our' National Parks. More and more the opposite is proving to be the sad fact. Our environment is the God-given gift in which we live. We are just as dependant upon our environment, as it depends upon us. If we are to be good stewards of our environment, then we must act as such, and actively protect it. In today's society, which is supposedly
ecologically and environmentally-minded, how can this be happening? We, the owners
and stewards of our natural resources and National Parks must commit ourselves once again
to the needs of our environment. As President Roosevelt stated in 1872 while
dedicating Yellowstone National Park, 'for the benefit and enjoyment of the people', we
must realize that the National Park System was established to 'preserve the past, protect
the present, and provide for the future.' We must not be duped into thinking that
'oil drilling' within the boundaries of any of our National Parks is in any way, Some twenty years ago, America saw the havoc created by the 'energy crisis.' The country reacted positively by researching alternative energy sources. After the crisis was past, so was the effort to reach these alternative renewable energy sources. It can be seen in daily living that humans are more and more looking for instant gratification and living the 'me first' lifestyle. Let us wake up before it is too late. We need to realize that alternative energy sources, which are renewable, efficient, and environmentally sound, need to be developed before it is too late. Let us develop new incentives and stick to them this time around." (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 Russ Finley
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HIKING AND
DRINKING BILLINGS, Mont. -- Hiking and drinking can be a deadly combination, according to a recent study published in the current issue of Annals of Emergency Medicine. During the course of the past 20 years, about 100 people lost their lives in nature areas near Tucson, Arizona. The deaths resulted from such accidents as falling off cliffs and slipping on rocks near waterfalls, while in some cases the victims committed suicide. Half of the fatal accidents involved alcohol, and in 40% of the cases, alcohol was a "major factor." Although Yellowstone National Park officials note that intoxicated visitors are rarely a problem, the study indicates that hikers and backpackers should avoid the use of alcohol while in the backcountry. |
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| WOLF UPDATE by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (USFWS) -- The Yellowstone late winter predation study ended on March 31. Overall kill rates were lower this winter than in the past, most likely because of the mild winter weather. More mature bulls were taken, possibly because of extreme drought conditions in summer 2000, resulting in poor forage quality and were unable to replenish their body reserves before winter. The mild winter also made adult cows less vulnerable to wolf predation. The winter count of the northern Range Yellowstone elk herd was compiled by Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Yellowstone National Park biologists. The 2000 Yellowstone elk harvest was slightly above average with 90 bulls, 915 cows and 216 calves (total 1221 elk) being harvested. The average since 1976 is 1094. Hunter success was 63% compared to the long term average of 65%. The total elk estimate was 13, 890, with the average being 13,440. There were over 30 calves per hundred cows with the long term average being 24 calves. Basically the elk herd recovered from a recent low of just over 11,000 elk after the big winter die off and subsequent high hunter harvest in 1996, to about 14,000 elk today. Since last year when the research program placed radios on about 65 elk, 9 have died. One was killed by a lion soon after being collared in 2000 but was not counted as a study mortality because it could have been predisposed to predation from being captured. Another collared elk was recently killed by a lion and one elk was killed by wolves. Of 9 radio-collared elk that left Yellowstone Park in winter 2000/2001, six were killed by hunters north of the Park. Basically the information to date shows that the elk population has not been noticeably affected by wolf predation other than old cows seem to be taken out of the population by wolves. A similar pattern has been seen among elk in the Jackson, WY area. The overall elk numbers are not changing (still above management objectives-despite attempts to harvest more elk through hunting) but calf/cow ratios appear to be increasing slightly. This may be occurring because wolves are targeting very old cow elk (average about 15 years-old) that have far fewer calves than female elk in their prime (less than 9 years-old) (i.e., the cows that wolves take are the least productive so the cows that are left have the most calves). This information has not been analyzed in detail and caution should be used interpreting any trends because of the natural year-to-year variability in wild animal populations that most often result from weather conditions such as drought or severe winter weather. |
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| ROAD CONSTRUCTION UPDATE News Brief YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (NPS) -- Yellowstone officials have announced the 2001 season road construction schedule for the Mammoth to Norris road segment. The schedule is as follows: Apr 20 to May 25 (12:00 pm) -- OPEN 24 hours with 30 minute delaysMay 25 (12:00 pm) to May 29 (6:00 am) -- OPEN WITHOUT DELAYS May 29 -- OPEN until 9:00 pm with DELAYS. At 9:00 pm the road will close until 9:00 am the next day. May 30 to Aug 26 -- Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm with 30 minute DELAYS Jul 03 (9:00 am) to Jul 05 (9:00 am) -- OPEN WITHOUT DELAYS Aug 27 -- Road CLOSES for the season |
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