Question

In the western United States, elk populations are at an all-time high. In some states, the state government has established elk feed grounds, where elk gather in large numbers during the winter to eat hay provided by the state. This enables more elk to survive the winter, elevating the population even further. Some people are in favor of closing the feed grounds. What might some of the arguments be for closing the feed grounds? What might some be for keeping them open?

Answer 1

Arguments for closing elk feed grounds include overpopulation, disease spread, and alteration of natural behaviors, while reasons to keep them open involve supporting recreation, protecting elk from winter, and managing human-elk conflicts.

Step-by-step explanation:

Arguments for closing elk feed grounds might include concerns about overpopulation, disease transmission, and disruption of natural behavioral changes and migration patterns. Overpopulation can lead to habitat degradation and increased competition for resources. Congregation of elk at feed grounds can facilitate the spread of diseases like chronic wasting disease. It can also disrupt natural behaviors related to seasonal and physiological changes, which are important for maintaining ecological balance.

On the other hand, arguments for keeping the feed grounds open might focus on the states' interest in maintaining high elk populations for hunting and viewing, protecting the elk from harsh winter conditions, and potentially decreasing human-elk conflicts by providing a controlled environment for feeding.