| THE
WILDLIFE OF YELLOWSTONE |
| Elk
were roaming free around Mammoth Springs inside Yellowstone National
Park, passing through peoples gardens and across the street. Best not to
get too close or they may charge you, or at least bugle.
The Buffalo were seen in large herds, sweeping
majestically across the plains, or across the roads causing minor
traffic jams. |
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| Bull Elk at
Mammoth Springs, Yellowstone |
| American
Buffalo, also known as Bison,
range from 5 to 6.5 feet in length and
weigh 900 to 2200 pounds. They can live up to 15 years, and eat grasses
and sedges, roaming continuously to avoid overgrazing an area. They live
in herds of between 20 to 50 animals lead by the cows, the bulls live
solitary or in small groups for most of the year. Buffalo roam great
distances in the wild, and can reach speeds of up to 30mph. Around
16,000 roam freely in Yellowstone, out of a US population of 250,000
animals. |
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| Bull Elk having a head-to-head |
Buffalo or Bison |
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| Grizzly
Bears weigh between 250-800 pounds, and
attain a height of up to 8 feet when standing on their hind legs. They can
reach speeds of 35-40 mph and can live up to 30 years in the wild. Food
consists of nuts, berries, insects, mammals and salmon. They live by
themselves, except during mating season, and the cubs, one or two to a
litter, stay with their mother for 2 years. |
Gray Wolf |
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| Gray
Wolves are the largest member of the canine
family. They range in height from 26-32 inches at the shoulder, and
weigh from 55 to 115 pounds. They eat large hoofed animals such as deer,
elk or buffalo, occasionally small mammals like rabbits and beavers, but
generally kill weak, young or old animals. They live and hunt in packs
and function according to a hierarchy of dominant and subordinate
members, based around the breeding adult pair (alpha male and female),
and their offspring. Scent, markings, vocalizations (howling), facial
and body expressions are their means of communication. |
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Although re-introduced into the park in 1995, we saw no
gray wolves in the wild on our
trip. However, at West Yellowstone there is the Grizzly Discovery Center, and a large
pack of Gray Wolves could be seen in a well designed compound. Grizzly
Bears were also kept safe and sound in their own area, and could be
seen rooting for bugs in the fallen logs bought to them regularly, or
having a friendly bear-hug.
If you find yourself in the area, please pay a
visit and help support this worthwhile cause.
More information at 
NEW photos from
Yellowstone Park can be found on our new website  |
