Populations of animals with high mobility often have high rates of gene flow. Mitochondrial DNA analysis is becoming widely used to study populations of many animal species including wolves. In the early 1990's, a hunter in the Bridger-Teton Wilderness just south of Yellowstone Park shot a large animal that appeared outwardly to be a wolf. Because wolves were exterminated in Yellowstone Park by the Government during the period of 1914 to 1926, many people were skeptical about the identity of the animal. Others thought that it was an animal raised in captivity then released into Yellowstone, and still others thought that it was truly a wild wolf which are occasionally sighted in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Gray wolves show DNA patterns that are different from domestic dogs and coyotes and wolf-hybrids.
DNA is collected from the blood or organ tissues from the heart, liver, or kidney. Examine the bands of DNA shown in the diagram below. Use a ruler if necessary to determine which bands match most closely. The hunter stated that he thought the wolf-like animal was a coyote when he shot it. Wolves will soon be reintroduced into Yellowstone Park.