Have wolves attacked humans in Yellowstone?

Wolves are one of the most closely watched and discussed animals in Yellowstone National Park, yet they are also among the most misunderstood. Despite their powerful build, sharp teeth, and role as top predators, wolves in Yellowstone have not attacked or killed any humans since their reintroduction in 1995. In fact, documented wolf attacks on people in all of North America are extraordinarily rare, making wolves far less dangerous to humans than many visitors assume.

Quick Reference: Have wolves attacked humans in Yellowstone?

Visitor Question	Simple Answer
Have wild wolves attacked people in Yellowstone?	No. There are no recorded attacks by wild wolves on humans inside Yellowstone National Park.
Are wolves dangerous to visitors?	Very low risk. Wolves naturally avoid humans and rarely come close to people.
Have wolves ever killed a human in the park?	Never. There has never been a fatal wolf attack in Yellowstone.
Do wolves see humans as prey?	No. Humans are not part of a wolf’s natural diet.
Why do wolves avoid people?	Wolves are cautious, intelligent animals that fear human presence.
What should visitors do if they see a wolf?	Observe from a distance and never approach or feed wildlife.
Is Yellowstone safe to visit with wolves present?	Yes. Wolves make the ecosystem healthier and do not pose a threat to visitors.

Yellowstone’s wolves generally avoid people. They evolved to hunt large wild prey such as elk, deer, and bison, not humans. Wolves are naturally cautious animals that rely on distance and awareness to survive. When they encounter people, they almost always retreat. Park biologists and rangers who study wolves daily often work in close proximity to them without incident, reinforcing the fact that wolves do not view humans as prey.

Globally, wolf attacks on humans are uncommon and usually linked to unusual circumstances, such as wolves that have become habituated to people, wolves suffering from disease like rabies, or situations where humans intentionally feed or corner them. Yellowstone’s strict wildlife management rules prevent these conditions. Feeding wildlife is illegal, and wolves remain fully wild, wary, and dependent on natural prey. This separation between humans and wolves is one of the key reasons Yellowstone has maintained such a strong safety record.

Compared to other risks in the park, wolves pose virtually no threat. Visitors are statistically far more likely to be injured by bison, elk, bears, falling trees, thermal features, or even slippery boardwalks than by wolves. Yellowstone’s safety guidelines emphasize maintaining distance from all wildlife, not because wolves are aggressive, but because respect for wild animals ensures both human safety and animal well-being.

The presence of wolves actually enhances visitor safety in indirect ways. By controlling elk populations and influencing where herbivores graze, wolves help maintain healthier ecosystems and reduce overcrowding of animals in certain areas. This ecological balance contributes to a more stable landscape, which benefits both wildlife and people.

In Yellowstone, wolves are best understood not as a threat, but as a symbol of wilderness functioning as it should. Their successful coexistence with millions of annual visitors demonstrates that large predators and humans can share space safely when wildlife remains wild and people follow park rules. For visitors hoping to see a wolf, the experience is far more likely to be one of awe and respect than fear.