Yellowstone Wolves Don’t Harm Pregnant Elk

(YELLOWSTONE, NP) – A new study argues that Yellowstone wolves don’t put enough pressure on elk populations to reduce birthrates or cause other health problems. Previous researchers had contended that wolves chase and startle pregnant elk, which can hurt their ability to reproduce. Officials say encounters between elk and wolves are less frequent than they thought, and that summer forage conditions play a much larger role in creating a healthy habitat for elk.