Reintroduction of Wolves Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Reintroduction of Wolves - Research Paper Example While there are some demerits in reintroducing the wolves, the merits far outweigh them. For decades, the native species of North America had been adjusting to the changes in the environment by self sustaining balance of prey, predator and supporting habitat. This ecosystem flourished for many ages without any interference or intervention on the part of humans (Busch, 2007). Yellowstone national park was build with the aim of preserving the wildlife and wilderness in North America. It was discovered by the State of Montana that wolves and other predators were destroying the ecosystem by killing too many game animals such as elk and Moose. There was plan to eliminate them from the area. Due to this, wolves were hunted and killed by wildlife personnel in 1914. The idea of eliminating wolves made them become endangered species which led to the plan to protect and reintroduce them in North America especially in Yellowstone National Park which had favorable habitat for their survival. The controversial reintroduction program has been successful in the sense that wolves are now back in Yellowstone National Park after an absence of more than 50 years. ... es in the Yellowstone National Park started in the year 1995 when wolves were regarded as ‘non-essential, experimental’ population according to article 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. In addition, this clarification authorized government officials to deal with the problems that wolves posed to the society and it was regarded as series of consensus or compromises of wolf reintroduction pioneers made with the local ranchers and livestock farmers (9news.com). Environmental groups and local industries battled for many years over the Idaho and Yellowstone program of wolf reintroduction efforts. It is important to note that the concept of wolf reintroduction was first presented in the congress in 1966 by a group of biologists who were weary of the high population of elk in Idaho and Yellowstone areas. It can be said that in1926, it was the last year that wolves were officially killed in Yellowstone area and over the succeeding years, the elk population and other prey anim als had tremendously increased thus, posing a threat to new growth vegetation (Philips et al, 1996). This was as a result of removal of key predators in the area. The wolves were on top of the food pyramid but their absence gave the elk population a fertile ground to boom out of control. In the coming year’s species of riparian and aspen cottonwood crashed because of overgrazing. This in turn, affected habitat of other species. Despite the dangers posed to the ecosystem by the absence of wolves, livestock farmers and ranchers were still opposed to the reintroduction of wolves in the area citing problems that wolves will bring to their livestock. Yellowstone National Park is the national park in the U.S where many people visit every year. Conservationists, biologists and local business owners