Restoration

The Historic Return of Wolves!

After gray wolves were hunted to near extinction in the lower forty-eight states, the species was listed under the protection of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The ESA protected gray wolves under federal law and mandated that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) develop a recovery plan to conserve the species. In 1987, the USFWS adopted the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan which included a proposal to reintroduce gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.

The idea of bringing back wolves to their western homeland was controversial and the subject of contentious debate. While many people — including ranchers, farmers, and hunters — fiercely opposed the restoration, a whole host of supporters were dedicated to returning wolves to their rightful place in nature. They voted for pro-wolf politicians; spoke for wolves in politics and courtrooms; signed petitions; donated to wolf conservation organizations and to compensate ranchers for verified livestock losses caused by wolves; and influenced ranchers, hunters, family and friends.

After many hard-fought battles, the Clinton Administration endorsed gray wolf reintroduction. In 1995 and 1996, 66 wolves were captured in Canada and reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and the central Idaho wilderness.

Crystal Creek acclimation pen; Jim Peaco; Oct. 1994/NPS Photo

Horace Axtell, a Nez Perce tribal elder and leader of the ancient Seven Drum religion, offered this blessing at a ceremony honoring the wolves' return to Idaho,

We ask the Creator that wolves may be allowed to run free again, that they be able to live, to be a part of us, to be a part of our land, to be a part of the creation for which they were intended.

Great American Wolf, Bruce Hampton, 1998, p. 225

Gray wolf recovery in America is one of the world's greatest wildlife conservation success stories. However, despite the progress that has been made, the species is far from adequately restored. While the ESA requires a species to be well-distributed throughout its historic range, gray wolves currently occupy less than 15% of their former habitat in the lower forty-eight states. Without protections in place to keep wolves safe, the existence of the wolves our nation worked so hard to restore is again in great danger.

Nez Perce pack wolf pups; Bill Campbell; June 1998/NPS Photo

Wolf conservation has become a dramatic expression of the goodness of the human spirit. It shows that we respect the rights of other life-forms, even when they may cause problems. It shows that we are capable and committed to correcting the mistakes of the past. Wolf restoration is a touchstone for measuring our reverence for what we have inherited and for the legacy we leave our children.

— Michael Phillips, former Yellowstone National Park wildlife biologist and Wolf Project leader

Restoration Resources

Adults

In Wolf Country: The Power and Politics of Reintroduction

by

Jim

Yuskavitch

Published in the 20th year after reintroduction to Yellowstone, Yuskavitch examines the wolve that emigrated from reintroduced areas to the Pacific Northwest. Discusses the politics that surround wolf populations. 2015

visit for more details

Adults

Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone

by

Thomas

McNamee

A New York Times Notable Book on the wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone including the details of the wolves lives and all the politics behind it all. 1997

visit for more details

Adults

Shadow Mountain: A Memoir of Wolves, a Woman and the Wild

by

Renee

Askins

The author fell in love with an orphan wolf pup and vowed to make a difference. Askins spent fifteen years working to restore wolves to Yellowstone. Part memoir, and part love story you will not forget. 2002

visit for more details

Adults

Wolf Land

by

Carter

Niemeyer

Follow along with retired wildlife biologist Niermeyer as he tracks wolves and shares their lives in his second book. The author has an interesting perspective as he formerly trapped wolves for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He now is an inspirational advocate for wolves. 2016

visit for more details

Adults

Wolf Nation: The Life, Death, and Return of Wild American Wolves

by

Brenda

Peterson

The author, a nature writer and NPR contributor combines science and storytelling to the 300-year history of wild wolves in America. One chapter is devoted to the story of 06. The book critically acclaimed internationally, was also selected as Forbes Magazine Conservation Book of the Year. 2017

visit for more details

Adults

Wolves of Yellowstone

by

Michael K.

Phillips

Project Leaders Phillips and Smith tell the story of Yellowstone wolf reintroduction from the inside including public relations, capture, relocation, acclimation, release and tracking. Includes moving essays along with over 70 color photos. 1996

visit for more details

Adults

Yellowstone Wolf: A Guide and Sourcebook

by

Paul

Schullery

Anthology of documents related to the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone including environmental impact and wolf movement tracking reports. Forward penned by Bruce Babbitt. 1996

visit for more details

Adults

Yellowstone Wolves: Science and Discovery in the World's First National Park

by

Douglas W.

Smith

The New York Times calls the reintroduction of the wolf to Yellowstone “arguably the world’s greatest wildlife experiment.” Assembled by three of the biologists who studied the wolves return, the book provides a wealth of scientific research and includes essays from every wolf biologist in America today. 2020

visit for more details

Adults

Yellowstone Wolves: the First Year

by

Gary

Ferguson

The award winning nature writer beautifully tells the story of how wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone.

visit for more details