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Yellowstone National Park is Great for Wildlife Viewing

Author: cameron van | Date: 07/01/2008

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Yellowstone National Park was the first park declared by law and is still one of the most visited parks in the system. It became a National park in 1883 and congress voted to protect it with special measures in 1894.

As early as 1902, Yellowstone began preserving the wildlife in the park. At that time the buffalo population had dwindled to just thirty. The managers of the park brought in a small herd to beef up the population and today Yellowstone is home to the largest free-roaming buffalo herd anywhere.

Conservation and preservation has helped Yellowstone become a showcase for North American Wildlife. In 1995, preservationist brought 14 wolves from Canada to Yellowstone. Although the reintroduction of the wolves was hotly debated, it has been an incredible success. Although few visitors get the privilege of seeing any of the wolf packs that now roam the park, most all of them will get to hear the amazing variety of communications that they wolves exhibit.

Bears are the dominant species in Yellowstone's backcountry. Yellowstone is bear country. Although bear attacks are unlikely (and usually prompted by human error), bears are wild animals and unpredictable. A good rule of thumb is that you should be far enough away that the bear can't see you. Any closer and you could put yourself and your party at risk.

Elk are the most abundant large mammal that can be found in Yellowstone National Park. Large herds can be seen grazing in the open fields during the summer months and smaller numbers can be found throughout the park 12 months out of the year. The animals have mostly lost their fear of humans (probably due to their protected status in the park) and are often found around houses, in campgrounds, or just laying around the government buildings.

Yellowstone National Park is not just for viewing the large wildlife. The smaller native creatures are just as abundant. The park is full of badgers, river otters, weasels, several varieties of rabbits. shrews, beaver, and so much more. If you can think of a North American small mammal, you can probably spot one in the park - although there are probably some you'd just as soon NOT encounter.

Most national parks offer some chances to see wildlife, but Yellowstone National Park offers many unique opportunities that are not available any where else in the world. For the ultimate in wildlife viewing, take one of the park’s safaris or wildlife tours.

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