If my memory serves, there were native wolves to Idaho before the introduction of Canadian wolves, correct? If so how many were there and is there a viable population now?
Answer:
There were likely a small number of wolves present in Idaho at the time wolves were translocated into Idaho from Canada in 1995 and 1996, but there was no evidence that there was a self-sustaining, reproducing population of wolves in the state at that time. Any wolves present at that time were highly likely the result of natural dispersal from existing populations of wolves in southern Canada, and are not considered by geneticists and taxonomists to be a different subspecies from the wolves translocated and released in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park.
Answered on:
Monday, June 4, 2012 - 3:03 PM MDT