February 2021 Wildlife Log
WATCH: Wolves Hunting Elk. For millennia wolves have hunted elk, an intricate dance between predator and prey integral to the health and diversity of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Hunting elk is a risky proposition, they can be 5-10 times the size of a wolf and a kick from a hoof or antler strike could be deadly. In the video, Naturalist Tyler Greenly describes how three wolves test a pair of bull elk, be sure to watch till the end to see if they are successful or not! Thanks to Naturalist Laura Krusheski for helping out with the video as well.
Winter wildlife tours of Grand Teton National Park and the Nationa Elk Refuge
Winter Wolves and Wildlife of Yellowstone Multi Day Adventure
Despite what @Birdsarentreal might tell you, this is not a government surveillance drone. It's Raven 7485, a GPS backpack carrying member of research on ravens and wolves in Yellowstone!
We recently encountered 7485 in the Old Faithful area during a multi-day adventure and were able to look it up on the Animal Tracker App using the colored bands around its legs. Watch the video to learn more about the app and raven research in Yellowstone.
The Wapiti wolf pack in Yellowstone National Park Photo by Naturalist @joshmettenphoto
February is the heart of winter in The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Wildlife are concentrated on winter range and this year has been one of the snowiest on record in Jackson Hole. Moose have dropped antlers, and mule deer will soon follow suit. The wolf and coyote mating season wraps up by the end of the month as days begin to grow longer, a hint of the coming spring. Read on for more video and photo updates!
Join us Tomorrow, Thursday February 25th at 6pm MST!
Join Henrys Fork Wildlife Alliance and Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures to learn about tracking, viewing, and photographing the iconic wildlife of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem! Naturalist and photographer Josh Metten will be sharing pro-tips, tricks, and best practices for getting outside and safely enjoying the native wildlife that share our home in and around Yellowstone. Click here to register!
Why Winter is the Best Time of Year to Watch Wolves in Yellowstone
We’ve been enjoying some of the best wolf watching in years in Yellowstone this winter, over a quarter century since wolves were reintroduced to the world’s first National Park. Though wolves can be observed any month of the year, winter is usually the best time to see them due to increased wildlife density on winter range and an increase in activity that comes from the annual wolf mating season. Add in sparse winter crowds and the stunning snowy wonderland of Yellowstone and you’ve got the makings of a perfect winter adventure.
