Learn about the wolves of Yellowstone at the Vilar Performing Arts Center

National Geographic Live comes to the Vilar Performing Arts Center with wildlife biologist Doug Smith discussing wolves in a public talk on Sunday, Sept. 22, and a STARS talk specially designed for students on Monday, Sept. 23.

“There is no school on this day for Eagle County Schools, so it’s a great option for middle and high schoolers to attend,” said Ruthie Hamrick, Vilar Performing Arts Center’s director of marketing, about the STARS event.

At both shows, Smith, who studied wildlife at Yellowstone National Park for nearly 30 years, will present photos and footage while telling behind-the-scenes stories, particularly about wolves.

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“Essentially, it’s the story of wolf recovery in Yellowstone — why they were reintroduced and what happened to the ecosystem and the animals,” Smith said. “Now, we have a healthier ecosystem and I think that is the main story.”

He admits wolves are a controversial subject, especially in Colorado, where they’ve most recently been reintroduced, but he believes the ecosystem is better off with them.

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“You gotta find that sweet spot where they can exist — having just a few of them around changes the ecosystem. They are symbols of wilderness and architects of a functioning ecosystem, and I think both of those things improve the human condition,” he said, adding that 80% of the wolves in Colorado have not ended up near, or have killed, livestock. “Bringing them back is a statement to say, ‘Yeah, they’re hard. Our lives would probably be easier without wolves than with them, but it’s a respectful, better relationship with nature.’ … The tough part is respecting and allowing humans to make a living off of livestock and allowing nature to take its course in places of low conflict.”

He founded and led the Yellowstone Wolf Project, which reintroduced gray wolves to the park.

“I think it makes the High Country a better place,” he said. “Colorado has more deer and elk than any other state. Now, Montana and Wyoming have more elk and deer than they did before reintroducing wolves.”

Whichever side of the fence people stand on, it’s hard to deny that, as he points out, “They are beautiful animals.”

During his presentations, he will share archival photographs to convey the history of Yellowstone, along with footage of catching wolves from helicopters and handling them. He’ll also show archival footage from National Geographic, which has dedicated two magazine issues to the history of Yellowstone and produced three television programs.

“A lot of people want stunning photos and artwork, and I don’t think they’ll be disappointed,” he said.

Smith has written numerous scientific publications and has been featured in four National Geographic television specials, along with writing several books about Yellowstone’s ecosystem.

After applying for, and receiving, two grants from National Geographic, he became a National Geographic Explorer, which also made him eligible to be a speaker on their behalf. When he retired one-and-a-half years ago as a wildlife biologist, National Geographic asked him to speak on wolf research, and now he’s sharing his experience with the Vail Valley.