Thinking on the scale nature needs
In the early 1990s, radio collars, satellite transmitters and GPS technology revealed a pattern of long-distance animal movements previously unknown to biologists.
Between 1991 and 1993, Pluie, a wolf radio-collared in southern Alberta, covered an area 10 times the size of Yellowstone National Park and 15 times that of Banff National Park.
Her incredible movements were eye-opening and inspiring. But not unusual. Other animals such as lynx, cougars, golden eagles and bull trout have also been recorded traveling distances of more than 1,000 miles (1,600 km).
Pluie showed us how effective conservation must go beyond national, provincial and state borders and find ways to reduce human-created barriers to movement.
Wildlife show us that the Yellowstone to Yukon region is the right scale to support their need to roam. Read more about Pluie’s travels.
