Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Mexican Gray Wolf

Public Response

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    Since the creation of the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, many articles have been published in newspapers and on websites and blogs.  Opinions are varied but can generally be divided into two groups.  The first is livestock operators, big game hunters and guides, and rural country boards of supervisors.  Wolves sometimes prey on livestock, which harms livestock and hurts ranchers financially.  For hunters and guides, there are concerns whether elk populations will decline with an increase in the wolf population.  The second group is wildlife conservationists and wolf advocates.  Wolves are thought to help stabilize wildlife populations by preying on old and sick elk, deer, and other wildlife and provide food for scavengers, including bears and some birds.  This group supports having wolves in the wild.  


    References


    Wolves Returning to Oregon
    Gray wolves returned to Oregon in 2005 after a 60 year absence.  Wolf reintroduction and coexistence strategies are discussed with ranchers, the Oregon Cattleman Association, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to try and understand this issue without the polarization.