Popular Yellowstone Wolf Shot And Killed By Hunter

Scientists, environmentalists and conservationists all utilize a variety of tools in order for them to gain the most accurate and reliable data. One tool that many scientists use are GPS tracker devices, especially when it comes to monitoring the movements of animals. These GPS trackers are often fashioned as bracelets that a target animal can wear around the neck. The GPS collar then transmits real-time locational information giving the scientists an in-depth and detailed view of how the target animal behaves in the natural environment. Unfortunately, a GPS tracking bracelet connected to a famous wolf by the name 832F stopped sending out real-time GPS positions, and the reason for this is because the popular alpha female that called Yellowstone home was hunted and killed.Researchers had spent over six years GPS monitoring the wolf known only as 832F. The researchers chose to equip the alpha female leader of the Lamar Canyon pack with a real-time GPS tracker because of the animal’s dominance in one of the most famous wolf packs in the entire world. In fact, 832F was one of the most popular animals among tourists and wildlife watchers, and was even photographed by a famous photographer names Jimmy Jones whose photos of the wolf were published in American Scientist magazine. When informed that his furry muse was shot by hunters Jones stated that he was saddened and that, “She was the most famous wolf in the world.” A project director overseeing the wolf program at Yellowstone acknowledged that the the hunters who shot and killed 832F were in the process of returning the GPS tracking device used to monitor the wolf, a real-time GPS tracker system valued at nearly $5,000.00. The project director also stated that from the GPS tracking data he analyzed showed that the wolf pack typically stayed in protected national park grounds, only leaving Yellowstone for very brief moments of time. “Hunting is always a sensitive topic among people, but I think most people can agree that the loss of 832F is a tragedy for both those who love Yellowstone and scientists trying to better understand how alpha dogs and wolf packs interact with one another”, a editor for GPS Tracker Shop explained.

Source: Post Gazette