James P. Gilligan

“ The problem of restoring and maintaining wildlife in our national parks is not as simple as one might suppose. The mere creation of a preserve or area within which all wild animals are protected has proved non-sufficient. While it is true that these areas offer excellent opportunity for preserving a wonderful variety of primitive wildlife stock in its native habitat for future generations, it is equally true that the very laws establishing the National Park Service in 1916 have almost defeated their original intentions. ”

“ The hopefulness of mankind regarding wildlife is seen in the aesthetic consideration finally given to these decimated animal populations. The establishment of protection areas, especially Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915, where complete protection is given to all animals, and the passing of state and federal laws for protection of game and regulation of hunting, were last minute efforts to save this splendid portion of American heritage. ”

“ This compact, tough little badger, while more common in the plains and foothills, now digs its solitary burrow in the lower mountain meadows. As they capture prey by digging them out, they are usually found wherever there are ground squirrel colonies; but will also feed on skunks and marmots. They can dig themselves out of sight in the ground in a few minutes. Like the bears, they fatten up in the fall and go into a period of semi-hibernation from which they may waken and wander about during warmer winter days. ”

“ The predator should be given the same opportunity to live its normal life as are the greatly favored species.
More often than not the predator takes the weakened or diseased animals of an area and thus aids in preventing the diseased animals from roaming among their fellows and spreading the ailment. Nature’s sustaining law requires only the survival of the fittest and the predator fits admirably into this scene, unless he becomes too abundant. ”

“ The success of their efforts in Colorado is evidenced in the virtual extinction of such indigenous mammals as the grizzly bear, the timber wolf, and the Canada lynx, and in a great reduction in the numbers of black bears, cougars, and bobcats. The coyote, while not so abundant in the mountains earlier, was the only predatory animal able to hold his own against the trapping, and has actually thrived in settled areas. Wildlife investigators have assembled a mass of evidence indicating that it is not the ordinary habit of these carnivores to feed regularly on domestic stock. ”

“ The skulls of rams are well adapted to the terrible beating they take in battle. The top front of the skull is double, having a layer of bone, then a space, then another layer of bone surrounding the brain case. In addition, the rams have a one-inch or more layer of shock-absorbing cartilage on the skull in back of the horns, joining the head and the backbone. Ram horns are not lost each year as are the antlers of deer and elk. Rather, they furnish a good indication of the age of the sheep, as they add a definite ridge or ring to the horn in its lengthening growth each fall season. ”

“ It is evident in the National Park that suitable study and research on such factors as animal-mineral requirements, parasites and diseases, bighorn-elk competition for food, rodent and big game food competition, condition and availability of winter foods, and predator relationships are vital to properly reconcile the use of the same area by man and various wildlife.
Animal populations are rarely in an “ideal condition of balance” in the same area. Rather, the normal condition is a series of population waves or fluctuations either increasing or decreasing the total numbers of a kind of animal. ”

“ The nervous little shrew, smallest of all North American mammals, is distinctly mouse-like at first glance. Closer inspection, however, will reveal a very small, darting animal with long, pointed, quivering nose, tiny or hidden eyes and ears, a slender body, and a gray, velvet-like fur that brushes easily either way. Even the smallest shrews have razor-like teeth and vicious tempers, which give members of the mouse world great fear of these terrible little assassins. They will not hesitate to leap on fat mice twice their size and kill them with their tiny jaws. ”

“ In late June when snows melt from the high country meadows, bands of cows with their calves, may be found grazing in high valleys near timberline, or in the open tundra country above timberline. Cow elk usually bear a single calf each year. The characteristic white spotting on young calves usually disappears by mid-August, whereas deer fawn spots persist into the fall season. Occasionally, a bull will mingle and wander with a band. Large summer herds are often seen on the distant tundras from the Trail Ridge Road above timberline. ”

“ This notorious mountain rat is widely distributed over the state from 4,600 feet up to the tops of the highest peaks. Often frequenting buildings and cabins in the mountains, the pack rat has also been labeled a trade rat. These names are derived from the animal’s habit of carrying off any loose article it may find and sometimes leaving other objects in the place of those taken. While these rats do possess a distinct musky odor, they, like many of the other rodents, have unduly suffered in character by comparison with the universally disliked house rat. ”

“ The present reduced elk herd of about 800 animals is considered more nearly within the winter range carrying capacity. The fact that there are no longer grizzly bear and sufficient cougar to take a normal number of these animals as food was an aiding factor to the rapid increase of elk. Concentrated numbers of elk seeking refuge in the aspen groves during heavy winters in the lower valleys have heavily damaged the aspen trunks by stripping bark for food. It is believed that pregnant cow elk, in particular, are able to obtain vitamin A from the aspen bark for their welfare at that time. ”

“ Roads, camp and picnic grounds, trails, and dwelling conveniences represent efforts by the Service to provide for the enjoyment of Park scenery and wildlife. However, each new road, trail, and “tourist convenience” removes wildlife food and cover from the Park and causes timid animals to retreat from these zones of human use. Moreover, it destroys the natural area which is supposed to be left “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Furthermore, many animals lack the flexibility to adapt themselves to new habitats, once the ancestral areas are invaded or destroyed by man. ”

“ Porcupines, as well as smaller rodents, devour many elk and deer antlers left in the woods. They have a strange assortment of guttural sounds and cries which are sometimes heard at night. These uncanny noises emitting from the dark create interesting possibilities for more imaginative minds. The highly controversial question of porcupine mating is solved when we understand that the female has the muscular power of pulling in her quills closely to the body contour, permitting normal mating procedure. The single young is born in well-developed condition, but still enclosed in a membranous sack. ”

“ The mule deer, having a wider natural range, and not banding together in the summer as elk frequently do, were able to survive the hunting pressures somewhat better; however, the former abundant herds were then considerably reduced. The increase of settlements and the introduction of domestic stock further lessened the numbers by decreasing available feeding grounds.
The establishment of man in the main mountain valleys leading to the foothills was particularly important to the past and even present welfare of the rugged mountain sheep, one of the finest of all wild animals in the mountains. ”

“ Many are nocturnal in habit, hiding during daylight, and others must be approached very cautiously. One satisfactory method of observing wildlife is to select a “spot” off the beaten trails and sit quietly for several hours, allowing animal life to move about in a normal manner.
A secondary purpose of this booklet is to provide a check list of all mammals known to use the National Park. Not all species listed have been collected in the area. It is hoped this will be a start toward providing an accurate, more substantial, and growing list of mammals for the Park. ”

“ The beaver, being a versatile and adaptable animal, is able to establish himself wherever there are small, permanent streams and sufficient aspen to provide him with logs and twigs for dams and houses and to provide food for his family. Consequently, any of the valleys in the Park which supply these requirements now contain 16 numerous beaver. They represent more of a nuisance factor than a real game management problem. Occasionally they will inundate and drown aspen stands and associated vegetation. ”

“ The author, a former ranger-naturalist in Rocky Mountain National Park, discovered through a visitor study in 1948 that a predominating interest of vacationers was in the wildlife of the area. Therefore, the writing has been limited to brief descriptions of the four-footed animals as they are seen in nature, with some explanation of their habits and habitat so they may be more readily located. The cover “tracks” and identification plates further this intent.
Many find it difficult to understand why they cannot see “more” animals in this rugged country. ”

“ This country provides an extensive summer sheep range in the high rolling tundra and rugged peaks above timberline, in addition to a large wintering area in the lower timber and valleys. Strong winds in the winter sweep snow from the scant tundra vegetation and often make it possible for sheep to feed at these high altitudes even during the winter months. Even with these adequate topographic conditions, wild sheep in the National Park since 1922 have shown a slow, steady decrease in numbers until 1941, when there were about 300 sheep present. ”

“ I have seen coyotes in many of the lower valleys of the Park in mid-morning hours, “playing” with ground squirrels. They grab and fling them several times into the air, catching them expertly each time and finally gulping them down. The coyote becomes more awesome if you have heard its weird howl floating out of a moonlight night. ”

“ A few cougars are reported inhabiting the small canyons off the Devil’s Gulch area, northeast of Estes Park. If true, it is probably these cats making their circle “tour” of 50 to 100 miles in a few days’ search of game, that are infrequently seen in the Park. Cougars prefer fresh meat and prey chiefly on deer, but will catch rabbits and rodents occasionally. They have been known to trail a human long distances, but rarely show themselves or attack. ”

“ Essentially the same problem has existed for mule deer as for elk, with the exception that deer, which do not congregate so readily into herds, browse principally on low shrubs or bush plants rather than on grass. They do not strip bark from aspen trees. This habit 15 permits both elk and deer to range fairly compatibly within the Park area. Nevertheless, the deer population was also considered to be excessively large for the amount of winter food available. ”

“ The net effect is to group these plants and animals into belts or zones on mountain slopes, which vary but little in elevation above sea level throughout the western United States. The reasons why increases or decreases in mountain elevation so markedly affect the distribution of plant life, and to a much lesser degree the animal life, are closely correlated with the differences of temperature, available moisture, wind velocity, exposure of area to sunlight, soil, and topographic variations existing between these zones. ”

“ Probably the real limiting factor for animal localization is the degree of severe winter conditions they can endure; the more adaptable they are to low temperatures, the higher they may be found in the mountains throughout the year. ”

“ Sometimes these meetings 21 develop into mighty battles, with these large, antlered beasts weighing up to 700 pounds apiece, pushing and gouging with their antlers and striking at each other with large front hoofs, until the vanquished flees. This is illustration on a grand scale, of nature’s way of providing the strongest animals for breeding and continuation of a strong stock.
Beaver Meadows and Horseshoe Park are particularly good places to view elk in the fall, from an auto. These cautious animals have excellent hearing ability and an exceptionally good sense of smell. ”

“ All the related factors probably contributing to the decline of bighorn population or their present stability at low level are not known. One substantial reason advanced has been the deficiency of mineral in sheep diet in the higher mountains, as indicated on previous pages, with a resultant weakening of sheep stock and a consequent susceptibility to parasitism and diseases found prevalent among sickened and dead sheep over a period of years. Another possibility for the decline may be present in the great increase of elk and subsequent competition for similar grass foods. ”

“ On the trails in Wild Basin, Bear Lake, and upper Colorado River Valley areas, he may be attracted to put in a bold appearance, by setting out a lure of smelly meat or fish. Ordinarily, they feed on chickarees and small rodents of the deep forest. They are primarily climbers, but are equally at home on the forest floor.
MINK (Mustela vison energumenos) A slim, rich dark-brown animal with a pointed nose, small ears, and fairly bushy tail. Movements are snake-like. Does not turn white in winter as will his smaller cousin, the weasel. ”

“ The fear of wild carnivores or the “unknown” at night in the mountains is still somewhat prevalent. A comparatively brief knowledge of animal habits will soon force the less intrepid to concede that “wild animals” rarely attack a human in the wilderness, unless unduly provoked. ”

“ Like the pack rats, these are common in the mountain regions, particularly around dwellings, although they are much more easily seen than the rats. Unlike the disagreeable house mice, they keep themselves exceptionally clean. As they do not hibernate, they are commonly seen throughout the winter months from valley to timberline. They are also known as the white-footed deer mice of the mountains. ”

“ Coyotes, originally plains animals, are abundant, probably numbering over 200 individuals. The presence of other mammals such as skunk, badger, porcupine, marmot, muskrat, squirrel, rabbit, and other small rodents indicates they are holding a steady or increasing population, although no definite counts have been made. There is good reason to believe that the coyote, richardson ground squirrel, and abert squirrel are examples of mammals relatively new and increasing in the mountains over 6,000 feet.
11
Lush tundra vegetation, above 11,000 feet, provides summer forage for deer, elk, and sheep. ”