Wolves and Wheels: The Effect of Yellowstone’s Wolf Reintroduction on Deer-Vehicle Collisions

Abstract

This paper examines the economic impact of wolf reintroduction via associated decreases in deer-vehicle collisions. Previous literature has found significant reductions in deer-vehicle collisions after large predator recolonization. However, this study finds that while wolf reintroduction was associated with a significant decrease in the deer population, wolves have not statistically significantly affected deer-vehicle collisions for the average Wyoming county. This adds to the broader scholarly conversation quantifying the economic costs and benefits of predator conversation, which are often indirect and difficult to measure.