Yellowstone Wolves

Returning the Wild to Yellowstone

By Douglas W. Smith & Gary Ferguson

And

When the Wolves Returned

Restoring Nature’s Balance in Yellowstone

By Dorothy Hinshaw Patent and Photos by Dan Hartman and Cassie Hartman

“Amazingly, a study conducted in 2005 estimated that some two hundred thousand people were seeing wolves in Yellowstone every year, making it hands-down the best place on Earth to observe these animals in the wild. . . . For those who’ve been peering through the spotting scopes, an unforgettable aspect of such encounters is the wolf’s eyes, which can seem to look right through you.”

These books tell the story of the reintroduction of wolves into the wilds of the world’s first national park, Yellowstone.  This park was a part of Ulysses S. Grant’s legacy.  The park was dedicated to the enjoyment of all the people.  Since that time we’ve learned to dedicate it to the natural ecosystem for the plants and wildlife.  Fear, loathing, and ignorance about wolves drove their extinction from the park by the 1930’s.  It took 60 years for wolves to be returned to Yellowstone.

Returning the Wild to Yellowstone was written by an award-winning writer in partnership with the leader of the Yellowstone Wolf Project.  It’s a fascinating study into the harmful impacts to an ecosystem when a piece of it is completely removed.  Chapters are dedicated to the planning and initial release of the wolves, and overviews of how they settled into the park and what the project members observed.  It’s so interesting to read the behaviors of the wolf packs, and the resulting behaviors of the other animals.  Mixed in are heartwarming “Portrait of a Wolf” chapters.  Each of these focus on a different wolf, describing the life and personality of specific wolves that the project team got to know so well.  You’re also treated to some wonderful photography by the project team.

At the end of the first decade of the wolves’ return, there were six successful packs in the park.  “In truth absolutely no one thought this reintroduction would go so well.”  Reading this book will give you an appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the project team, as well as a great respect for the tenacity and perseverance of this beautiful animal, the wolf.

When the Wolves Returned is a short overview of the wolves’ return to Yellowstone.  This is a great book to share with children as well.  It clearly shows how “the balance of nature is always changting.  But when all the pieces of the puzzle are present, the extremes are eliminated.  Today Yellowstone is working its way back to a changing but healthy system, thanks to the wolves’ return.”  The story is told through captions to beautiful, artistic photography by Dan Hartman and Cassie Hartman.  They are a very talented father-daughter photography team who live on the northeast border of the park.  Dan’s work has been published by National Geographic and many other places.  You can see some of his work at www.wildlifealongtherockies.homestead.com