Is There More To Yellowstone Wolf Attack Than Park Officials Are Admitting?

[bearpaw]

http://lobowatch.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/is-there-more-to-yellowstone-wolf-attack-than-park-officials-are-admitting/
15 Jun 2012
 
Is There More To Yellowstone Wolf Attack Than Park Officials Are Admitting?
 
It’s no secret among the residents of the Greater Yellowstone Area that the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been less than honest about the impact wolves have had on the park and the area in general, or how those involved with the Northern Rockies Wolf Recovery Project have manipulated science to achieve a fast track to a successful wolf recovery.  Likewise, from the very start of the project, the likes of former project coordinator Ed Bangs and Yellowstone wolf biologist Doug Smith have thumbed their noses at any claims in regard to the health or safety threats wolves pose humans, especially when it comes to an outright attack on a human.
 
So, are wolves a threat to humans, will they attack a person?
 
One Yellowstone National Park tourist can probably answer that question better than anyone working at the park.  The man was hiking in the Hayden Valley, along the Yellowstone River, in early June (2012) when he encountered wolves, or a wolf, which he claimed became aggressive and threatening.  And this is where the story goes in two directions.
 
One story is that, to ward off the attack, the hiker sprayed the wolves with pepper spray bear repellant, but they did not back off.  The man then ran to the river and jumped in, while the pack of five wolves continued to pursue him, running along the bank, for nearly a mile.  The other story, being told by Yellowstone National Park officials, is that the hiker encountered a lone female wolf, which was guarding its den, and that there was not an attack, so there was no reason for the man to jump into the Yellowstone River.
 
Park spokesman Al Nash said, “There was no wolf attack, however, a visitor apparently had some sort of encounter with a wolf. The wolf did not attack him.   This gentleman encountered a wolf, just as many visitors encounter bears, elk or sheep.  I don’t know what his decision-making process was. He chose to get away from the animal. Why he chose to go into the Yellowstone River, I just don’t know.”
 
            When rumors of the “encounter” began to circulate a week after the incident took place, Scott Rockholm, the founder of Save Western Wildlife, called the Yellowstone offices and spoke with the head of the park’s wolf project, biologist Doug Smith.  Smith also stressed that the man was not attacked by the wolf.  Rather, he had gotten too close to the wolf’s den, and the wolf was simply doing what it took to get him away from the area.
 
According to Rockholm, Smith commented, “The female wolf escorted the man away from the den, and the man overreacted”.

A short story on the incident that ran in the Billings Gazette on June 12 shared – “The wolf allegedly gave a warning bark, which the man interpreted as a growl. He sprayed the wolf with pepper spray — a deterrent most often used in bear encounters. The hiker heard the wolf yipping as a result of the spray as he fled.  Park officials said the man jumped into the Yellowstone River, believing the wolf might pursue him. He apparently lost his backpack as he was washed downriver and was treated by park rangers for hypothermia.”
 
Dr. Valerius Geist, a professor of wildlife ecology with the University of Calgary, in Alberta, Canada says, “The position taken by the park is a classical one:  Blame the victim!    No wolf gets within pepper-spray distance without intent.  On the positive side, the wolf sprayed is unlikely to try getting close    again. This is good negative conditioning.”

During the month of June, the Yellowstone River typically sees its highest water mark as the mountain snowpack recedes quickly.  The runoff is swift, and the stretch of river where the hiker took the plunge is at just over 7,000 feet elevation, and the water runs cold.  Mid day water temperatures in early to mid June run around 47 or 48 degrees, accounting for the hiker’s case of hypothermia.
 
Will Graves, the author of the book “Wolves in Russia – Anxiety Through the Ages”, doesn’t buy YNP’s claim that the frightened hiker jumped into the river for no reason at all.  He points out,  “Anyone who jumps into the Yellowstone River in June, during high water, must be under a great deal of stress.”
 
Yellowstone National Park did not release the man’s name, but has stated that an investigation would continue to learn more.  Until then, they’re likely sticking with their story, and claim that there was not an attack.  Still, the other story, claiming that it was a pack of wolves, not a single female wolf, that pursued the hiker supposedly has a witness.  Looks like the best of either story could be yet to come.  -  Toby Bridges, LOBO WATCH

[woodman]

Is the hiker still Alive? From what I read here, I think that he or she is. It also sounds as if he or her said there were 5 wolves after him or her. Are there any public statements from the hiker that are public?

[bearpaw]

I imagine they are trying hard to get the name of the individual....

[sebek556]

hope they come forward and tell their story. 

[bearmanric]

Just remember wolves dont kill. And the two people that died in alaska last year from wolf attacks didnt happen. Wish this would happen at Wolfhaven. Rick

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2160668/Pack-wolves-maul-woman-keeper-death-Swedens-popular-zoo-horrified-visitors-look-on.html

[Bean Counter]

  liberal Nazi eff-tards... They value animals > people. Of course they're lairs.

Next question.

[GrainfedMuley]

Just remember wolves dont kill. And the two people that died in alaska last year from wolf attacks didnt happen. Wish this would happen at Wolfhaven. Rick

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2160668/Pack-wolves-maul-woman-keeper-death-Swedens-popular-zoo-horrified-visitors-look-on.html

Isn't there wolves out at Northwest Trek?

[Skyvalhunter]

Hybrid dogs

[WAcoyotehunter]

I had a couple buddies get in trouble with a pack of wolves in Idaho several years ago.  They were bowhunting and had wolves all around them...with intent.  They were both at full draw back-to-back and had to slowly move out of the area while the wolves growled and barked at them.  It's quite a story with all the details. I'm a poor typist and don't want to tell thier story, but they were certainly concerned for thier safety.

[NWBREW]

Don't forget about what happened with hirshey last year up in the wilderness. I believe she got very lucky. It's a matter of time till something bad happens. 

[ICEMAN]

Gotta love this comment from "officials" ;

According to Rockholm, Smith commented, “The female wolf escorted the man away from the den, and the man overreacted”.    

[seth30]

Don't forget about what happened with hirshey last year up in the wilderness. I believe she got very lucky. It's a matter of time till something bad happens. 

link?

[NWBREW]

Don't forget about what happened with hirshey last year up in the wilderness. I believe she got very lucky. It's a matter of time till something bad happens. 

link?

Report Washington Wolf Sightings Here - Estimated at 101+  thread. Reply #77 and 79. In the wolf section.

[hirshey]

Don't forget about what happened with hirshey last year up in the wilderness. I believe she got very lucky. It's a matter of time till something bad happens. 

Yeah, I was thinking about my experience while reading this.. Being "thrown to the wolves" if you will by having the wolf management team give my name and number to the newspaper then criticizing my encounter.. Kind of funny how that works.

[bearpaw]

When I reported a wolf attack on my neighbors dogs, I got an unpleasant call from Region 1 WDFW.