Problem
Textbook: The Accidental Ecosystem: People and Wildlife in American Cities - Peter S. Alagona.
I. (Chapter 7, pp. 83-100): Alagona frames this chapter with the story of Pedals, a black bear that roamed northern New Jersey from 2014 to 2016. Describe at least three things you learned about bears-and their relationships with humans-that you learned in this chapter. What lessons can we learn about the interactions between humans and wildlife from the story of Pedals?
II. (Chapter 8, pp. 101-116): In this chapter, Alagona focuses on the iconic North American bird, the bald eagle. The bald eagle, once endangered in the lower 48 states, is increasingly found in urban areas like Pittsburgh-as well as in many locations in Iowa, too. Have you ever seen a bald eagle, in Iowa or elsewhere? Where and under what circumstances did you see it, and what was the experience like for you? Based on what we've read in this chapter, what are the risks and rewards, for both humans and eagles, in living so closely together?
III. (Chapter 9, pp. 117-135): Alagona devotes this chapter to a discussion of pumas-"also called mountain lions, cougars, catamounts, panthers, and ghost cats" (p. 118)-which are increasingly a part of the urban landscape of cities like Los Angeles. Here, he focuses on the story of P-22, a puma that lived in LA for several years. Based on what you've read in this chapter, what do you see as the risks and rewards, for humans and non-humans alike, in welcoming unusual wildlife species like pumas into the urban environment?