Wildlife in Montana and Yellowstone
Wildlife is a legacy of our planet earth. Indeed, humans are an integral cog in the natural world. As humans have populated our planet with billions of homo sapiens, we have become the top predator and the mediator of the natural balance. Now, the entire planet is feeling the effects of thoughtless consumerism and science/climate denial. Some of the stories below reflect our ecological mistakes and efforts to rein in our hubris. Others simply reflect the joy and wonder of our natural world that is so threatened.
A day on Yellowstone lake managing Lake Trout populations. An interview with Dave Hallac, former Chief Scientist of Yellowstone… The lake trout population in Yellowstone Lake has exploded since the 1990s when lake trout were illegally introduced to the lake. In recent years Yellowstone Park has hired professionals from the Great Lakes to seine net the lake trout and try to save the native Yellowstone Cutthroat population.
It’s a war of attrition…the ongoing battle to preserve biodiversity…
Interpretative biologist Ken Sinay tells the story of current efforts to restore native Yellowstone Westslope cutthroat trout to their former status in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as predator and prey in a balanced natural environment. The illegal introduction of the Lake Trout in the 1990s started an ecological dominoes disaster. The Lake Trout are taking over causing many ecological problems. The cutthroat used to spawn in great numbers in streams entering the lake and were a major food source for grizzly bears. Now the bears have to look elsewhere in lieu of that once dependable food source.
Recently, Interpretative Biologist and Yellowstone Guide Ken Sinay spotted a family of mink in a Greater Yellowstone river. In a rare daytime display, a mother and three kits interact while Ken watches from his boat. Mink are usually nocturnal, so this is an exciting display of a mother tending to her young as they explore their riverine home.
Feeding bears in Yellowstone was common practice in the early days. Many home movies from the early 20th century show tourists unwisely feeding bears from their cars. Letting grizzly bears feed at the Park garbage dump was common practice before 1971. There were even bleachers where guests could watch the bears feed as a new load of tasty garbage was delivered to the Grizzly Deli…
Yellowstone Llamas is the very first licensed llama outfitting company in Yellowstone National Park. Join us on a trek of a lifetime!
Come Walk With Me is a wonderful adventure led by wildlife troubador Walkin’ Jim Stoltz. He leads a group of young kids into the wilds of Montana and sings his songs of wilderness and wildlife. The kids are mesmerized by Jim’s wholesome presence and they learn all about conservation and the appreciation of nature.
Yellowstone Virtual Winter with Ken Sinay and Yellowstonenow.com. Winter is the best time to watch wolves as well as the diverse wildlife that braves the cold seasons on Yellowstone’s Northern Range.
Yellowstone Virtual Summer with Ken Sinay and Yellowstonenow.com
The Wonder of Yellowstone with Ken Sinay and Yellowstonenow.com. This short presentation shares a few special moments of inspiration and wonder.
Ken Sinay scouts a winter camping site in Yellowstone National Park.
ThisIsYellowstone.com is excited to collaborate with Interpretative Biologist and Yellowstone Guide Ken Sinay of Yellowstonenow.com. As Ken explores the Greater Yellowstone region, we will air some of his wildlife sitings and adventures… Here Ken observes a mama moose & her young bull offspring in a quiet backwater on a sunny Montana day in the Greater Yerllowstone.
