Working through the then new Endangered Species Act, they proposed a plan under which wolves would be imported from Canada to reclaim their place in the ecosystem. The impact is now apparent. Around Yellowstone, elk kills are more common, a welcome development for park managers hoping to bring that animal's population back to manageable levels. Wolf packs also appear to have killed as many as half the coyotes in at least two areas of the park, opening up ecological breathing room for foxes and other species. Even highland vegetation, no longer chewed up by hungry elk, is expected to start making a comeback.
Some people are worried that it has already gone too far.
But money isn't the only issue. It keeps us on edge all the time. In order to make the reintroduction project palatable to ranchers, advocates made a key concession. Under this definition, the Yellowstone wolves live their lives in a state of permanent probation, safe only as long as they mind their business and stay in their range. Wolves that go AWOL and attack domestic animals can be shot as summarily as their ancestors were.