Problem
Investigate the controversial history of the gray wolf. In 1914, Congress approved funding to destroy the wolves, an effort that was so successful nearly all of them were eliminated. In 1973, the Endangered Species Act gave the gray wolves protected status. This led to reintroduction programs to return the wolves to their natural habitats. Several wolves have been successfully reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho.
A. How many gray wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone, and when were they reintroduced?
B. How many are present today?
C. How many gray wolves were reintroduced in central Idaho, and when were they reintroduced?
D. How many are present today?
E. What benefits come from a reintroduction of a species such as the gray wolf?
F. What disadvantages result from reintroduction of the wolves?
During the year 2008, gray wolves were stripped of their protected status. This allowed them to be hunted and killed (with some restrictions in place). Subsequently, they were placed back on the endangered list in 2010. The advocates on both sides of this argument (in favor of hunting and against hunting) are very passionate about their view.
G. What happened when the gray wolves were hunted? Was this counterproductive to the reintroduction programs?