390 AN AMERICAN HUNTER 



hundred of them now exist in the park. There are prob- 

 ably one hundred whitetail and one thousand blacktail 

 deer, both of which species are likewise increasing; and 

 the moose, although few in numbers, are also on the 

 increase. General Young reports that from his best in- 

 formation he believes there are 25,000 wapiti in the park. 

 Of the buffalo there are now in fenced pastures fifty-nine. 

 These increase very slowly, the number of calves being 

 small. There are probably about twenty-five of the origi- 

 nal wild buffalo still alive. The bears are as numerous 

 as ever. Last summer it became necessary to kill one 

 black and two grizzlies that had become dangerous; for 

 some individuals among the bears grow insolent under 

 good treatment. The mountain lions, which five years 

 ago were so destructive to the deer and sheep, have been 

 almost exterminated. The tracks show that one still 

 exists. Coyotes are numerous and very destructive to the 

 antelope, although ninety-nine were destroyed during the 

 past year. Beaver are abundant and are increasing. 

 Altogether the American people are to be congratulated 

 upon the success of the Yellowstone Park, not only as a 

 national pleasure ground, but as a national reserve for 

 keeping alive the great and beautiful wild creatures of 

 the wilderness. 



