"But given the elk population, we have to have them."
Grizzly bear and mountain lion predation is not enough to keep the elk population down.
This included managing high elk populations, which had inhibited new vegetation growth.
The elk population reaches its peak in the winter with an average of 670.
The Yellowstone wolves generally have concentrated on the park's abundant elk population.
The elk population at some 12,000 head, makes up for the sparse people population.
According to the commission's records, the last survivors of the state's original wild elk population vanished in 1867.
There is extensive wildlife, including a large elk population.
At times, people would mention bringing wolves back to Yellowstone to help control the elk population.
By 1895, habitat loss and poaching had reduced the elk population to only 28.