Lack of snow hampers Yellowstone wolves’ winter hunting season
From The Spokesman-Review:
BILLINGS – A lack of heavy snow has meant a lean winter for Yellowstone National Park’s wolves, according to the crews that annually monitor the park’s packs.
Wolves rely on deep snow to tire out their prey to make it easier to bring down much larger animals like elk and bison. Typically, the deeper the snow the better the hunting for the big canines whose large feet help keep them atop the snowpack.
But according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor, the northern portion of Yellowstone, and much of western Montana, is experiencing severe drought. Although winter recreationists like snowmobilers and skiers may be howling about the scarcity, for wolves deep snow can be a matter of survival.
