Wolves+Environmentalists+Block+1

__ **Environmentalists** **Viewpoints...** SAVE THE WOLVES!!!! __ Andrea, Stacy, and Alex For many years, the wolves have been on the endangered species list. Just recently, the wolves have been removed off of the list due to an increase in the wolf population. Now, hunters and cattle ranchers want to have the right to hunt wolves due tob the fear of lossing large amounts of the elk and deer population and cattle. Hunting the wolves will eventually reduce the number of wolves to the point where they may become endangered again. We need to make an effort to save the wolves from the cattle ranchers and hunters. Blue represents the area that has known wolf populations, green represents the area that may have wolves now or in the future, and tan represents the area that does not have any wolves.

The long-term survival of wolves depends on the size, number and connectivity of wolf populations.
 * There are currently 8,000-11,000 wolves in Alaska, with about 1,500 being trapped or hunted per year.
 * There are around 5,500 wolves in the mainland United States.
 * There are only 302 wolves in Wyoming, the area of much concern for hunters and cattle ranchers

If these numbers don't increase soon, the entire population of wolves could be in danger. There are ways to help both hunters and cattle ranchers while preserving and protecting the area that wolves live in and the wolves themselves.
 * Paying for lost cattle to the cattle ranchers. This will pay for any cattle that is taken from farmers by wolves.
 * Stop hunting for a few years. This will bring the population of elk and deer up again in the area that is most affected by wolves.
 * move some of the population of wolves in Wyoming to Alaska to help the elk recover.
 * Placing the wolves in giant enclosed reservations like we saw on the video.This way, the wolves could be fed roadkill elk and deer, and their population can be controlled better.