The cougar (Puma concolor), also known as mountain lion, is the one of the largest cats in North America and a top predator native to Greater Yellowstone.
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The current population of lions in Yellowstone is estimated to be 18-24 animals and is thought to be increasing. Mountain lions live an average lifespan of about 12 years in the wild. Mountain lions were significantly reduced by predator control measures during the early 20th century.
Weighing as much as 700 pounds apiece, they had no serious rivals. Grizzly bears, Yellowstone's top predators, are capable of bringing down an adult elk, but they mainly prey on calves. Coyotes, though numerous, were much too small to attack elk.
Yellowstone National Park is not only a popular destination for those looking to explore the great outdoors, but it is also home to the biggest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. Here you can catch bison, elk, black bears, wolves, and much more roaming freely throughout the park.
About 800 moose inhabit the southern part of Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park and surrounding national forests. This largest member of the deer family loves cold weather and frequents marshy meadows and edges of lakes and streams.
Yellowstone provides summer range for an estimated 10,000–20,000 elk (Cervus canadensis) from six to seven herds, most of which winter at lower elevations outside the park. These herds provide visitor enjoyment as well as revenue to local economies through hunting outside the park.
As the dominant breeding female (alpha female), O-Six was one of the most visible and photographed wolves in Yellowstone and was described as a rock star. She was famous for hunting and taking down elk by herself, which is extremely rare as wolves usually hunt in packs.