There are many reasons for restoring gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park. But, ultimately, wolf restoration shows that we respect the existence of other life forms, even when that may not be easy. The wolves brought to Yellowstone from Canada are the same species that roamed what is now the United States hundreds of years ago. Given enough time and protection as an endangered species they would eventually arrive in Yellowstone on their own. Their history is both fascinating and complex.
Wolves are social.
They evolved as effective predators in part through pack formation. Usually only the alpha pair mate, beginning at about two years of age. Wolf litters, averaging six pups, are born in the spring. Pack ranking begins at birth, when the strongest pups push for position at their mother's teats. Since only about half may make it through the first year, the pups' survival is a top priority for each pack member.