Of Predators and Prey

Kate Wilcox

The presence of a healthy population of apex predators is a key feature of flourishing ecosystems. These predators keep ecosystems healthy by maintaining the populations of other species. Studies have shown the removal of these key predators can dramatically change and/or damage entire ecosystems. Without apex predators lesser predator populations may explode. This in turn causes a sharp decrease in the number of prey species.

The removal of wolves in the western U.S. is a perfect example the problems that arise when apex predators are taken out of an ecosystem. With no wolves to hold their numbers back the coyote population exploded. The large numbers of coyotes caused more damage to farmer’s livestock than wolves ever did, which is ironic as the wolves were originally killed to protect the livestock. The lack of wolves in Yellowstone National Park also caused an increase in elk populations which then devastated Yellowstone’s vegetation.

Personally I find return of apex predators, such as the cougar and the wolf, to Wisconsin and Minnesota (and other areas) to be thrilling. This is especially true for the cougar, which unlike the wolf, came back into the area on its own – no reintroduction necessary! The fact that these predators find this environment to live permanently in is a proof that progress has been in improving the health of these ecosystems. I think of the return of these animals as a kind of reward nature has given out for doing a good job watching over her place.

So you can imagine how I feel when I hear about how these animals shouldn’t be allowed to return to the areas they had been extirpated from. They say that these animals are dangerous (and I’m not going to lie, they can be dangerous), that they’ll eat too many deer, or that they’ll go after the livestock.

I will now address some of these concerns. Are these animals dangerous? Yes they are, but so are dogs, deer, moose, raccoons and every other wild animal. The fact of the matter is that dogs kill more people in the U.S. in a year than both wolves and cougars combined over the last 100 years. Dogs kill on average 20 to 35 people a year. Cougars have killed 14 over the last hundred years, wolves killed one. These animals are not out to get people and if people give them the space and respect they require nearly all encounters will be peaceful.

They’ll eat too many deer! Yes, they will eat the deer and they may even lower the population. However the deer population is way out of control, deer are starving over the winter and damaging the forests they live in. Their population needs to be lowered! There will still be enough deer to hunt though it may require the hunter to get up and walk instead of sit in a stand. Personally I think it would be more fun to go searching for deer then to wait on a deer stand but since I don’t hunt I can’t say which is more entertaining.

They’ll go after livestock. Some livestock will undoubtedly fall prey to these predators, however both cougars and wolves are afraid of people and will prefer to inhabit areas where people don’t frequent. And since they don’t want to be where people are they will likely evade their livestock as well. Also, there is an abundance of deer to be preyed upon. This will further decrease the chances that they’ll commonly attack livestock.

References

 Kennedy, Jennifer. "Apex Predator." Marine Life - Ocean Animals, Plants and Habitats. About.com. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. <http://marinelife.about.com/od/glossary/g/apexpredator.htm>.

 "Wildlife, Mountain Lion Page." Home Page: Grand Canyon Chapter Sierra Club, Arizona. Sierra Club. Web. 14 Feb. 2012. <http://arizona.sierraclub.org/conservation/mt-lion/index.asp>.