Friday, May 11, 2012

The Fight for Reintroduction of Wolves in Various Parts of the World

                                                
Abstract:
In beginning this process of the thought of wolf reintroduction some investigating was needed. The task was to find out as much as possible about Wolf Reintroduction, in knowing where it began, where Wolf Reintroduction was accomplished and why it has had such a difficulty in getting passed. The first task that came before these major points was in learning about the actual animal itself, in understanding the wolves’ habits, their routines, their strength and their features.  The methods used to learn the information was gathered through searching the web while also putting together a survey. The survey consisted of ten questions that were sent to Facebook as well as Gmail. The questions consisted of asking the viewers certain things pertaining to wolves and the viewers they had on behalf of the subject of wolf reintroduction. The main questions consisted of what the viewers thought about wolf reintroduction. Another main question was on behalf if my readers had heard about attacks on livestock pertaining wolves and if my viewers had a preference of wolves being reintroduced back into the wild. The most famous of all the questions is if the viewer was for or against wolf reintroduction in any area? Lastly it was necessary to see if the viewers were informed enough to give answers pertaining to knowledge and not just opinion, this was done by asking how much they knew about the animal itself.  In asking these questions it was made much clear of the views of others due to the subject of wolf reintroduction.

Introduction:
The main problem that pertains to the reintroduction of wolves is, Ranchers. The reason behind this issue is Ranchers truly think that wolves will not be helpful to the ecosystem in any manner. Ranchers heavily believe the reason for the massive decline in their livestock is due to wolves hunting their sheep because they are easy prey. Though there is record that wolves are not the main reason for the declining numbers of livestock. Ranchers have been stated within many articles that have been studied and recorded that they are not easy people to persuade even with hard evidence. They wish to keep the situation as it is without wolves in the picture rather than having to deal with them year round. Ranchers care for their land, their livestock and more importantly their profit.  They see wolves as a threat to this balance they have had for generations  and dislike the thought of change.In the article in Science Daily more livestock was lost to other predators such as coyotes as well as disease more so than what the wolves had killed. Before debriefing upon the thoughts of Ranchers it was unclear that the wolves were not being able to reintroduced back into the wild because of the actions and wants of Ranchers. Wolf Reintroduction seemed to be a situation where more players were involved. Meaning it was quite shocking to know that biologist don’t have more of a handle on this situation where as Ranchers do. It is understood that Ranchers do have the upper hand due to owning the land where as biologists are protectors of the ecosystem,they themselves do not own it or the animals within the system. Biologists can help to change the situation in adding something or someone different such as wolves to keep the herbivore population from overpopulating. For within many articles it is stated that due to having too many herbivores in one area the plant matter is decreasing at fast rates that is unhealthy for the environment. This issue will lead to possibly bigger problems because once the plant matter begins to decrease so may the insects that live in the plants as well as the avian populations will decline. With overlooking the population increase of herbivores this could send other situations within the ecosystem to plummet. Wolves may have the adjustment action that will stop the herbivores from beginning this avalanche of problems that biologist are trying to put to a halt. Though if wolves are not monitored and just put anywhere it could cause some difficulty because if they begin to go after prey that is not the populations that are overpopulating then it could lead to another group being damaged instead.  In keeping the ecosystem in good condition this will ensure younger generations will be able to know of the creatures who roamed. It is good to inform the public of this matter about Wolf Reintroduction. This will get more people involved rather than just having the Ranchers and Biologist’s be the main players. If more people were to get involved there would be more debate, more possibilities of Ranchers having to stop and listen rather than take charge.

Methods:
The problem with Wolf Reintroduction is still a leading issue today. There is still conflict on both sides. Most Ranchers wish to not have wolves reintroduced in any area especially if near their livestock. Biologist believe that with reintroducing wolves back into certain areas will help the plant matter in not being depleted by herbivores such as deer. By preparing this knowledge much internet searching was conducted. This led to getting to understand the opponents of interest, Ranchers and Biologist. Then after learning about their frustrations, Ranchers wanting nothing to do with having wolves being reintroduced back into the wild and Biologist who fear for the ecosystems wellbeing if not dealt with properly.  There was so much information found upon this subject on the web, and literature. Other ways in getting the information needed on behalf of this subject was done by creating a survey that was of questions that were put together to see what where in the minds of others around me. The questions consisted of asking the main topics of the reintroduction of wolves in the form of either quantative or qualitative questions.  All except two of the ten questions consisted of being qualitative, though two consisted of being both, qualitative and quantitative to further the process a blog was created on behalf of wolf reintroduction. It was made to inform other people upon blogger about Wolf Reintroduction blog. The reason why it begins right into the topic of which it is going to touch base on is to ensure that the blogger may stay, read and post if they are either a wolf lover or hater or is concerned for the ecosystem.  This blog is to inform and get more people into this topic to make awareness. These tools put together helped to ask others as well as get their feedback on behalf of wolf reintroduction.

Results:
Questions were made for a survey and were distributed to the public. The questions consisted of qualitative and quantitive data.  Though two of the ten questions was not just one or the other they were both qualitative and quantitative .The first of the two questions asked the audience if they were against wolf reintroduction.  Five of the seventeen viewers stated they were against wolf reintroduction, and then eight people stated they were not against wolf reintroduction at all. Three stated that they were possibly against it while one out of the seventeen stated they were neutral. The percentage of people who were against wolf reintroduction was 29.4%, 47.1% were not against wolf reintroduction where as 17.6% were a maybe and 5.9% were neutral on behalf of the subject of wolf reintroduction.  The second of the two questions asked the audience if they were for wolf reintroduction. Within the seventeen people who answered 29.4% stated they were for wolf reintroduction whereas 23.5% stated they were not. Though 29.4% stated they were a maybe on the subject on wolf reintroduction and 17.6% stated they were unsure and stated they were neutral on the subject at hand. The graphs below are to show the reader of this paper the estimate done in order to understand the graphs. Both “Figure” 1 and 2 both had the optional answer yes, no, maybe and neutral.  Then the table were put in place so the viewer could see the options the person chose from, yes, no, maybe and neutral but also see the response percent as well as the count. People chose according to what they thought correct in their final decision in stating the answer they did.
Figure 1: Helped to analyze the amount of people who were against the reintroduction of wolves.

Answer Options
Response Percent
Response Count
Yes
33.3%
4
No
33.3%
4
Maybe
25.0%
3
Neutral
8.3%
1
answered question
12
skipped question
3

Table 1: shows the options people chose to answer the question wish, the response percent as well as the count of the responses.   


Figure 2: Ask the audience if they are for Wolf Reintroduction.

Answer Options
Response Percent
Response Count
Yes
16.7%
2
No
25.0%
3
Maybe
33.3%
4
Neutral
25.0%
3
answered question
12
skipped question
3


Table 2: Did the same as Table 1 though their percentage and response count is different.

Discussion:
This trial and error to see the reaction of people was fascinating. Overjoyed by this process was an experience to see how people thought and reacted to a particular subject. It was quite something, though reviewing all the work done was much to consider but worth the time. Wolves are regaining their numbers slowly but surely, they are reappearing thanks to biologists and animal lovers who have power to change situations. Although Ranchers are still displeased on behalf of the idea of wolves there is a little wiggle room to change their minds. Though this will be done by government power and hard evidence to show that wolves are not the problem to decreasing in their livestock as much as the Ranchers think they are. Wolves can help the ecosystem if put in the right place and where enough herbivores are.

Acknowledgements:
*Microsoft Word
*Excel
*Stephanie (instructor)

Literture Cited:

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