Wolves and Mange in Yellowstone | Animal Welfare Hub

Sarcoptic mange in Yellowstone wolf packs causes severe suffering and has been a recurring welfare challenge since wolf reintroduction.

Key Facts

Sarcoptic mange is caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites and causes intense itching, hair loss, and secondary infection
Mange was introduced to Yellowstone wolves through contact with coyotes and domestic dogs
Affected wolves scratch intensively, sleep poorly, and show reduced hunting success as condition deteriorates
Death from mange occurs through hypothermia after hair loss during winter, typically over weeks to months
Oral ivermectin treatment of captive wolves is effective; wild wolf treatment is logistically challenging

Welfare Considerations

Mange causes prolonged suffering in wolves: the itching is intense, sleep is disrupted, and the progressive loss of thermoregulation leads to a cold winter death. The suffering is drawn out over weeks to months. Intervention in wild wolves is difficult but not impossible, and research into oral bait delivery systems for wild wolf treatment is ongoing.

What You Can Do

Support research into oral ivermectin delivery systems for wild wolf mange treatment
Donate to Yellowstone wolf monitoring programs that track mange outbreaks and population impacts
Advocate for domestic dog vaccination and deworming programs in wolf range areas to reduce disease transmission vectors