DISTRIBUTION OF GRAY WOLVES IN RESPONSE TO HABITAT AND HUMAN PRESENCE IN THE ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH WILDERNESS, MONTANA

Authors

  • Gidske Houge Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway
  • Daniel B. B. Tyers USDA Forest Service, GardinerDistrict, Gardiner, Montana 59030-005
  • Jon E. Swenson Department of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Post Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, NO-7485 Trondheim, Norway

Keywords:

wolves, montana, absaroka-beartooth, gray wolf, canis lupus, absaroka-beartooth wilderness, human-wolf interaction, Montana, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

Abstract

Since wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in 1995 and 1996, the population has increased and expanded into adjacent areas. In this study, we documented the distribution of wolves in relation to habitat and human presence in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (ABW) in Montana during the summers of 2005 and 2006, prior to the onset of wolf hunting in 2009, by observing tracks and scat along USDA Forest Service (USFS) trails. Our results indicated that wolves in the ABW 1)  were primarily located near the boundary of YNP, 2) did not prefer forested habitats when traveling on trails, 3) did not avoid USFS cabins or outfitter camps, and 4) did not differentiate between permanent cabins and temporary camps.

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Published

2010-09-30

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 1-3 October (2010)

Section

Biological Sciences - Terrestrial Ecosystems [Articles]