Drought, Fires, and Large Mammals

Abstract

Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its fauna of diverse and numerous large mammals. There are hundreds Vof black and grizzly bears (Ursus americanus and Ursus arctos) that roam the area, and coyotes (Canis latransj and mountain lions (Felis concolor) as well, but ung-ulates far outnumber them. Approximately 2500 bison (Bison bison) inhabit the park in three herds (Meagher 1973, 1988). There are also approximately 2500 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), 400-500 pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana), 250400 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis), and 200 moose (Alces alces) on Yellowstone's northern winter range.