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A new study indicates that wildlife are unfazed by the presence of snowmobiles in Yellowstone National Park. The study was commissioned by the National Park Service and was done by park researchers and Montana State University. Researchers observed more than 2,100 interactions between snowmobiles and wildlife last winter between December 2004 and March 2005.

Of the animals observed, 81% had no apparent response, or they looked and then resumed what they were doing, when interacting with snowmobiles or snowcoaches. The study reported that wildlife appear to become habituated to machines over time.

The report stated the debate regarding the effect of motorized recreation on wildlife is largely a social issue as opposed to a wildlife management issue.

For more on this story, click on this link: Study: Snowmobiles have little effect on Yellowstone Wildlife (Jackson Hole Star Tribune-AP, 12/15/05)