Posted by Ranger Bob (165.83.5.29) on March 14, 2002 at 17:50:25:
In Reply to: Daily Kill posted by Jared Watts on March 14, 2002 at 08:57:34:
: About how many large animals are killed daily by wolves in yellowstone.
Hello Jared,
Wolves do like elk, that is for their dinner. In Yellowstone, 90% of their prey is elk: 40% calves, 30-35% cows, and 10-22% bulls. In winter, a wolf pack will kill an average of 9-14 elk per month. When wolves kill an elk, ravens arrive almost immediately. Coyotes arrive soon after, waiting nearby until the wolves are full. Bears are not so patient and will attempt to chase the wolves away and are usually successful. Many other animals--from magpies to foxes--dine on the elk remains. So you can see, wolves do provide a bounty of food for a variety of animals in Yellowstone.