April 24, 2014
I am a former professor of biology and have conducted
research on elk/wolf biology for 10 years. The Idaho Fish and Game
issued a plan for Idaho's wilderness area for the elimination of
60 percent of wolves. This action was based on declines in elk numbers, which the report concludes is due to "low reproductive success" (page 1) of female elk caused by wolves.
This conclusion that wolves are the primary cause is not supported by the body of scientific evidence. Rather, evidence shows that hunters and nutrition are important contributors. For example, the Journal of Wildlife Management recently published a study that compared the impact of hunters versus wolves on the reproductive potential of female elk. The percentage of reproductive female elk killed by hunters was 58 percent, by wolves it was 7 percent. More than 50 percent of female elk killed by hunters were pregnant and almost none killed by wolves. The overall effect is that hunters have a 32 percent higher impact than wolves on the reproductive success of female elk.
We may not always make the best decisions, but we can be confident that the better decisions are those based on the careful review of all the information that is available.
Mark Lung, Boise
source
60 percent of wolves. This action was based on declines in elk numbers, which the report concludes is due to "low reproductive success" (page 1) of female elk caused by wolves.
This conclusion that wolves are the primary cause is not supported by the body of scientific evidence. Rather, evidence shows that hunters and nutrition are important contributors. For example, the Journal of Wildlife Management recently published a study that compared the impact of hunters versus wolves on the reproductive potential of female elk. The percentage of reproductive female elk killed by hunters was 58 percent, by wolves it was 7 percent. More than 50 percent of female elk killed by hunters were pregnant and almost none killed by wolves. The overall effect is that hunters have a 32 percent higher impact than wolves on the reproductive success of female elk.
We may not always make the best decisions, but we can be confident that the better decisions are those based on the careful review of all the information that is available.
Mark Lung, Boise
source
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