Population Dynamics of Wolves and Coyotes at Yellowstone National Park: Modeling Interference Competition with an Infectious Disease

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical epidemiological model to study how interference competition and various mortality factors affect the coexistence of wolves and coyotes in Yellowstone, aiming to inform management policies.

Contribution

It introduces a novel framework integrating disease dynamics and interference competition to analyze predator coexistence in Yellowstone.

Findings

Model shows disease and interference impact predator populations.

Results suggest coexistence is possible under certain conditions.

Insights can guide management policies for predator reintroduction.

Abstract

Gray wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park (YNP) in 1995. The population initially flourished, but since 2003 the population has experience significant reductions due to factors that may include disease-induced mortality, illegal hunting, park control pro- grams, vehicle induced deaths and intra-species aggression. Despite facing similar conditions, and interference competition with the wolves, the coyote population at YNP has persisted. In this paper we introduce an epidemiological framework that incorporates natural, human-caused and disease-induced mortality as well as interference competition between two species of predators. The outcomes generated by this theoretical framework are used to explore the impact of competition and death-induced mechanisms on predators coexistence. It is the hope that these results on the competitive dynamics of carnivores in Yellowstone National Park will provide park management insights that result in policies that keep the reintroduction of wolves successful.