Wolf Reintroduction in Idaho: Conservation and Indigenous Sovereignty
This annotated bibliography reviews seven scholarly sources on the reintroduction of gray wolves into Idaho and the Rocky Mountain region. The sources address interconnected themes including biodiversity conservation and indigenous self-determination, tribal sovereignty under the Endangered Species Act, livestock depredation dynamics, wolf population establishment and reproduction, legal frameworks governing wolf hunting, and the political role of Native American tribes—particularly the Nez Perce—in wolf recovery management. Together, these sources provide a comprehensive overview of the ecological, legal, and sociopolitical dimensions of wolf reintroduction efforts in Central Idaho.
- Overview of Sources: Seven interdisciplinary sources on Idaho wolf reintroduction
- Biodiversity and Indigenous Sovereignty: Conservation and indigenous self-determination in wolf recovery
- Tribal Authority and Legal Frameworks: Endangered Species Act and Nez Perce partnership with federal agencies
- Livestock Impacts and Wolf Behavior: Cattle depredation patterns and wolf population dynamics in ranching regions
- Wolf Population Recovery and Establishment: Reproductive success and behavioral adaptation of reintroduced wolf packs
- Policy Evolution and Legal Challenges: Shifting legal status of wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana
- Tribal Leadership in Wolf Management: Nez Perce role in natural resource policymaking and wolf recovery politics
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- Organizes seven sources thematically rather than chronologically, revealing connections between ecological, legal, and political dimensions of wolf reintroduction.
- Provides clear, specific citations with publication details (volume, issue, page numbers) that support academic credibility.
- Balances multiple perspectives: conservation biologists, tribal authorities, livestock managers, and policy researchers.
- Demonstrates careful source selection that spans the full timeline of Idaho wolf recovery (1997–2011) and captures both peer-reviewed research and policy analysis.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper employs thematic annotation, a technique that groups sources by research focus rather than listing them sequentially. Each annotation includes the full citation, describes the source's scope and findings in 2–3 sentences, and uses direct quotations to anchor claims. This method allows readers to see how individual studies contribute to larger conversations about conservation, indigenous rights, and resource management.
Structure breakdown
The bibliography opens with a general overview of the collection, then separates sources into six thematic clusters: conservation and indigenous self-determination, tribal legal authority, ecological impacts on livestock, population recovery science, legal and policy shifts, and tribal leadership. This structure mirrors the complexity of wolf reintroduction as a problem that is simultaneously ecological, legal, political, and cultural.
Overview of Sources
This annotated bibliography compiles seven scholarly and scientific sources addressing the reintroduction of gray wolves into Idaho and the surrounding Rocky Mountain region. The sources span from 1997 to 2011 and approach wolf reintroduction from multiple disciplinary perspectives: conservation biology, tribal law, wildlife management, ecology, and natural resource policy. Collectively, these works illuminate the complex intersection of ecological restoration, indigenous rights and sovereignty, livestock management, legal frameworks, and political negotiation that characterizes wolf recovery efforts in Idaho. The bibliography is organized thematically to reveal connections across these domains.
Biodiversity and Indigenous Sovereignty
Schmidt and Peterson (2008) provide a foundational framework for understanding wolf reintroduction as a problem of simultaneous biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation. Publishing in Conservation Biology, they examine gray wolf recovery in Idaho, western Montana, Washington, and western Wyoming through the lens of indigenous self-determination. The authors emphasize that "Indigenous peoples and their lands in the United States provide an excellent opportunity to evaluate the relationship among self-determination by indigenous peoples, biodiversity conservation, and governmental statutes, regulations, and policies." This source is essential for understanding that wolf reintroduction cannot be evaluated solely on ecological grounds; it must account for the sovereignty and land management practices of Native American tribes whose territories overlap with wolf habitat.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.