Wolves Will Bring Park Millions From Tourism

The wolf reintroduction program could create an economic development windfall and stop the wide-fluctuations of other animals in the area, according to a federal wolf biologist.

Jane Roybal, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf biologist, said the wolf program will attract additional tourists and possibly bring $7 million to $10 million annually.

Roybal says the dollar amounts that visitors will spend will far exceed the amount spent on the wolf program, which is estimated to be about $6 million over an eight-year period.

Roybal said she obtained her estimates from surveys of Yellowstone National Park, other national parks and public opinion polls.

She added that once the target wolf populations are reached early next century, there could be a decrease of the elk, deer and bison population in the Yellowstone area by 5 percent to 15 percent.

The wolves also would help cut back on wide fluctuations of animals in the area. Roybal said the wolves will also help in elk populations, which are prone to mass starvation due to overpopulation.

Roybal said there has been minimal impact on domestic livestock in places like Minnesota where there is a substantial wolf population. She said her agency is serious about compensating owners of domestic animals that fall prey to wolves. She also said another wolf specialist has been brought to the Yellowstone area to inspect livestock carcasses and determine whether wolves were responsible for any kills.