Question

What steps is Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) taking to minimize conflict between state residents and reintroduced wolves?

A. The agency will reimburse ranchers and farmers whose livestock is killed by wolves.
B. CPW is lending out electric wiring to farmers and ranchers to keep wolves off their land.
C. The wolves will be reintroduced only into national parks where there are few people.
D. It will reintroduce wolves only into areas where people voted for the animals’ return.

Answer 1

CPW's conflict mitigation efforts involve adjusting ranching practices, employing non-lethal deterrents, rewilding for ecological balance, public education, and compensating ranchers for losses due to wolves.

Step-by-step explanation:

The steps Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) is taking to minimize conflicts between state residents and reintroduced wolves are primarily focused on changing human management practices. Programs exist that aim to reduce the likelihood of encounters and to manage the impacts of those that do occur effectively. For example, ranchers can adjust cattle management practices, such as bringing cattle in during calving or closely monitoring in back-country areas, to minimize the risks of predation.

Dead animal carcasses are disposed of to reduce attraction for wolves. Furthermore, livestock ranchers are encouraged to use non-lethal deterrents, such as electric fencing, to keep wolves at bay. Rewilding efforts also contribute to resolving conflicts by restoring ecological balance, where predators like wolves play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and carnivore conservation is balanced with human interests. Educating the public about coexistence and compensating ranchers for livestock losses are also strategies employed to foster positive outcomes in this delicate balance between wildlife preservation and human economic interests.