Winter Use Controversy

Access to many of Yellowstone's unique features is closed to automobiles in the winter time. Popular ways to get around in the park include snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and riding in a snow coach. There is no bigger controversy in Yellowstone's winter wonderland than snowmobiling.

Some claim that snowmobiling ruins the quiet, pristine setting of Yellowstone and disturbs the wildlife. Animals may tend to shy away from the "vroom vroom" noise of a snowmobile. The exhaust also ruins the air quality. Every year, people and animals get hurt from unsafe snowmobile practices.

On the other hand, advocates of snowmobiling think that the popularity of this activity helps out the economy of not only Yellowstone but it's surrounding towns as well. Not only is money a factor but just fun in general. Some people come back year after year to enjoy Yellowstone's snow white beauty via single or double snowmobiles. These same people usually agree that snowmobiles do cause some negative environmental impact, but they don't want snowmobiling in the park banned all out. They just want some better, more positive alternatives.

Do research on Yellowstone's winter use goals. What kind of snowmobile technology is being used in the park? Are you required to have a guide with you at all times? How many snowmobilers are allowed into Yellowstone in one day? What environmental impacts do snowmobiles have on their surroundings?

After you've done your research, explain what side of this controversy you are on: for or against snowmobiling in the park.

Brucellosis

We have a problem in Yellowstone, and it has to do with a deadly disease - brucellosis. Brucella abortus is found in 50% of Yellowstone's free ranging bison herd. This disease can be transmitted to cattle living outside of Yellowstone National Park's boundaries when bison wander out of the park. When a cow contracts this disease, its calf during a pregnancy will be aborted. Brucellosis can also be transferred to humans and cause undulating fever.

Researchers are currently trying to find a vaccine for brucellosis to give to cattle and humans. Currently there is no treatment for the disease.

Ranchers are deathly afraid of brucellosis affecting their cattle herds. With no proven vaccine to protect their cows, they must be weary of wandering bison. If one cow tests positive for brucellosis, the whole herd must be quarentined and slaughtered. Some ranchers believe that once bison leave the park's boundaries, they should be shot on the spot. Others think hazing the bison back into the park is a good strategy.

Opponents of the shooting of bison think that these magnificent animals should roam free like they did on the plains a few hundred years ago. There's no way to tell a bison what its boundary is. Thousands of bison leave the park each winter to escape the frigid, mountainous climate and find warmer grass-laden valleys outside of Yellowstone's boundaries. There's no way to regulate the comings and goings of bison in and out of the park since there are so many of them! These opponents want more research on vaccines that actually work.

What side do you sympathize with? Look on the internet for more information on brucellosis before making your decision!

Yellowstone Wolves

The gray wolf of Yellowstone National Park is an endangered animal. Do you think that the wolf should be taken off of the Endangered Species List?

Ranchers say yes. The wolf interferes with their ranching. Cattle, sheep, and other farm animals get taken down every year by wolves. Are the ranchers really getting hit as hard as they say they are? Do some research!

Environmentalists and wolf lovers say no. The wolf is an important animal that keeps the Yellowstone ecosystem intact. Do some research on what role the wolf plays in the Yellowstone ecosystem!