In 1995 after an absence of more than half a century, North America’s most iconic apex predator returned to the pristine wilderness of the world’s first national park. In 2023, after more than a decade of planning, students from the national award-winning Conservation Discovery Corps launched a field study of the wolves of Yellowstone. Join Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Curators, Jim Knox and Carolyn Rinaldi to hear their story…and experience the adventure of a lifetime.
Jim Knox serves as the Curator of Education for Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo where he directs educational programming and conducts field conservation for this AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited institution. Jim is a graduate of Cornell University where he studied Animal Science and Applied Economics. He has tracked Gray Wolves in Yellowstone National Park, conducted field research on Alaskan Brown Bears, field conservation for Atlantic Salmon, and written for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and for Natural History magazine.
A member of The Explorers Club, Jim has served as an on-camera wildlife expert for The Today Show and The CBS Early Show. Jim has lectured for The Explorers Club and served as a guest speaker for The Yale School of The Environment, The Harvard College Conservation Society, and The United States Coast Guard Academy. He has been featured in The New York Times, served as a TEDx Presenter and as a Guest Host for Connoisseur Media Star 99.9 FM Anna & Raven Show. Jim writes a column, Wildly Successful, for The Greenwich Sentinel and is proud to serve as a Science Advisor to The Bruce Museum.
Carolyn Rinaldi is the Associate Curator of Education at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo where she leads Education and Conservation initiatives on and off grounds. Carolyn graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Anthropology and Archaeology. As part of her studies, she travelled around the globe by ship, for three months, studying world cultures. Carolyn has experience as a veterinary technician as well as a birds of prey handler. After having a twenty-year career as a family therapist, Carolyn returned to the world of animals and joined the Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo team. She directs the Zoo’s AZA Award Winning Teen Volunteer program the Conservation Discovery Corps, and will be leading this year’s 2024 class in a second field expedition in Yellowstone National Park. Carolyn is the host of radio show, Zoonami – Adventures from Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on iCRV Radio in Ivoryton, CT. She has had guest spots as a zoologist on Connoisseur Media’s Star 99.9 FM Anna & Raven Show.
Carolyn also has a passion for martial arts and teaches Karate and Self Defense at Yale University. In 2017, she was a member of the National Karate Team and competed in the Karate World Cup in Ireland, representing the United States.
Summary
Jim Knox and Carolyn Rinaldi from Beardsley Zoo explored the zoo’s conservation efforts and detailed their unique educational journey to Yellowstone National Park with students to study wolves and the broader ecosystem. They began by highlighting the intrinsic interest humans have in wolves, referencing Aldo Leopold’s insights on the “fierce green fire” within wolves’ eyes, symbolizing resilience, wisdom, and survival instincts. Jim and Carolyn presented Yellowstone’s history, focusing on the ecological impact of the park’s predator-prey dynamics, notably wolves, on its environment.
They traced the historical absence and reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone. Due to human concerns for safety, wolves and other predators were eradicated from the park by the early 20th century. The absence led to severe ecological imbalance, mainly due to the overpopulation of elk, which caused overgrazing, eroded landscapes, and declines in tree and plant species like Aspen and Willow. This decline subsequently affected other wildlife, reducing populations of animals like grizzly bears, foxes, and beavers.
In the 1970s, recognizing wolves as a keystone species, conservationists pushed for their return, beginning with the Endangered Species Act. In 1995, 14 wolves from Alberta, Canada, were reintroduced into Yellowstone, leading to a restored ecological balance. Carolyn explained how wolves decreased elk numbers, which allowed plant life and tree populations to recover, fostering a positive cascading effect that boosted populations of other species. This balance brought back bears, beavers, and various bird species, enhancing biodiversity in the park.
The Beardsley Zoo team, alongside a group of students, observed and studied Yellowstone’s wolf packs during their expedition, experiencing firsthand the intricacies of predator-prey interactions. The group witnessed wolves feeding on bison kills and interacted with National Park Service biologists involved in the Yellowstone Wolf Project. They learned to track wolves using GPS collars and studied prominent wolves like number 21, a revered alpha known for his strength and loyalty. The experience allowed students to gain valuable conservation insights, from wolf-pack dynamics to the wolf’s critical role within ecosystems.
The presenters shared personal anecdotes from their expedition, including seeing grizzly bears up close and observing other wildlife like bison, elk, and salamanders (yes, salamanders which had been illusive), illustrating the park’s rich biodiversity. They discussed other conservation projects, including Beardsley Zoo’s efforts to restore habitats, protect endangered species, and foster environmental awareness through youth programs like the Conservation Discovery Corps. Jim and Carolyn highlighted the zoo’s commitment to conservation beyond its 50-acre property, with projects supporting Atlantic salmon restoration and horseshoe crab tagging.
Concluding the presentation, Jim reiterated the importance of wolves and other apex predators in maintaining ecological balance and encouraged collective efforts in conservation. This unique expedition enriched students’ understanding of wildlife and ecology, imparting an enduring appreciation for the complex interplay within natural ecosystems. The session ended with a Q&A, discussing future challenges, including maintaining balanced predator-prey relationships, the impact of wolves on other species, and broader efforts to manage coyote populations in suburban areas.