Is the elk population declining in Yellowstone?

Elk numbers in Yellowstone have declined by more than two-thirds since 1995, from a high of nearly 20,000 to less than 5,000 today. The numbers and impacts of deer and pronghorn are relatively small, but in the past decade, bison herds have grown, and they tend to reside in valley bottoms much of the year.



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If elk were removed from the park or the population were to decrease, the populations of the elk's predators would be affected. For example, if the population of elk were decreased by disease or natural disaster, wolves and coyotes, would experience difficulty finding elk to feed on.

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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.

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As Yellowstone's most abundant ungulate, elk comprise approximately 85% of winter wolf kills and are an important food for bears, mountain lions, and at least 12 scavenger species, including bald eagles and coyotes.

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Wolves in Yellowstone sit at the core of a larger population connected throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. In general, wolf numbers have fluctuated between 83 and 123 wolves since 2009.

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While Yellowstone continues to be good beaver habitat, it's not as robust as the Adirondacks. Through the decades the population has varied greatly. In recent years, the park's beaver population probably has hovered around 1,000 spread out across roughly 140 colonies.

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Currently, the lion population is estimated to be 18-24 animals. The Yellowstone mountain lions reside throughout the park during the summer, but can be found most often in the northern range of the park where prey is available year-round.

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American bison
  • Bison are the largest grazing mammals in Yellowstone National Park. ...
  • Yellowstone is the only place in the lower 48 states where a population of wild American bison has persisted since prehistoric times, although fewer than 50 native bison remained there in 1902.


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