Yellowstone: The World’s First National Park! | SciShow Kids

Key Concepts

• Yellowstone National Park: The world's first national park, established in 1872.
• Native American History: Long-term presence (over 11,000 years) of various nations in the Yellowstone area before its designation as a park.
• Ecosystem: All living (plants, animals) and nonliving (water, soil) things interacting in a specific place.
• Predator: An animal that hunts and eats other animals.
• Apex Predator: A predator at the top of the food chain, not typically preyed upon by other animals (e.g., gray wolves in Yellowstone).
• Population: A group of individuals of the same species living in a particular area.
• Wolf Eradication: The systematic killing of wolves in Yellowstone, leading to their near disappearance by the 1940s.
• Ecosystem Imbalance: The disruption caused by removing the apex predator (wolves), leading to cascading negative effects.
• Reintroduction Plan: The strategy developed in 1987 to bring gray wolves back to Yellowstone.
• Ecological Restoration: The process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.

History and Establishment of Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, recognized for its mountains and hot springs, has a human history extending back over 11,000 years. Various Native American communities, including the Mountain Shoshone, Crow, Blackfeet, Bannock, and Nez Perce nations, inhabited or regularly visited the land. In 1872, the United States government designated this land as Yellowstone National Park, making it the world's first national park. The intention was to preserve the area's natural wonders, preventing the sale of land or large-scale housing development, and allowing people to visit and enjoy nature.

Impact of Human Settlement and Wolf Removal

Following the park's establishment, human settlers moved into the surrounding areas, leading to significant environmental changes.

• Habitat Destruction: Forests and prairies were converted into farms and ranches, destroying habitats for native animals.
• Introduction of Non-Native Species: Cattle were brought in, competing with and displacing native wildlife.
• Wolf Eradication: Gray wolves, native predators in North America, began preying on settlers' cattle. Fearing livestock loss and potential harm to humans, settlers actively killed wolves. Although killing animals was generally prohibited within the National Park, the government made an exception for wolves. This targeted killing led to the near-complete disappearance of wolves from Yellowstone by the 1940s.

Ecosystem Imbalance Following Wolf Removal

The removal of the gray wolf, an apex predator, caused significant disruptions to the Yellowstone ecosystem.

• Elk Population Boom: Without wolves as their primary predator, the elk population grew substantially.
• Overgrazing: The large elk population consumed vast amounts of Yellowstone's plants, including trees and flowers.
• Cascading Effects: The reduction in plant life negatively impacted other species. Rabbits lost hiding places, birds lost nesting sites in trees, and insects lost food sources (flowers). Eventually, the scarcity of plants led to starvation even among the elk population.
• Broader Ecosystem Damage: The absence of the apex predator unbalanced the entire ecosystem, affecting not only animals and plants but also the water and soil quality.

Wolf Reintroduction and Ecosystem Recovery

Recognizing the negative consequences of wolf removal, a collaborative effort emerged to restore the ecosystem.

• Advocacy and Awareness: Hunters, writers, scientists, and tribal nations shared observations, research findings, and traditional knowledge about the importance of wolves and the changes observed after their removal. This raised public awareness and shifted perspectives.
• The Reintroduction Plan: In 1987, a formal plan was created to reintroduce gray wolves to Yellowstone.
• Implementation: Nearly a decade later (mid-1990s), 31 gray wolves were captured in Canada and relocated to Yellowstone National Park.
• Ecosystem Restoration: The reintroduced wolves began hunting elk and other animals, establishing new packs and raising offspring within the park. This led to:
  • A reduction in the elk population, resulting in healthier individuals.
  • Recovery of plant life due to reduced grazing pressure.
  • Improved conditions for other animals dependent on those plants.
  • A re-balancing of the overall ecosystem.
• Current Status: Today, there are typically around 100 wolves living within Yellowstone National Park and approximately 500 in the greater surrounding ecosystem. Their presence has contributed significantly to the park's ecological health.

Conclusion: The Importance of Apex Predators and Restoration Efforts

The story of wolves in Yellowstone highlights the critical role apex predators play in maintaining healthy and balanced ecosystems. The initial removal of wolves demonstrated how human actions can lead to unintended and cascading negative consequences throughout an environment. However, the successful reintroduction, driven by collaboration between scientists, conservationists, tribal nations, and the public, shows that ecosystems can recover. The return of the gray wolf has not only helped restore ecological balance in Yellowstone but also made the park a prime destination for visitors hoping to witness these animals in the wild, showcasing the positive outcomes of dedicated conservation efforts.