Question

Which government action in 2009 meant that gray wolves would no longer receive complete protection?

A. The wolves were allowed to venture outside of Yellowstone Park.
B. The wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list.
C. The wolves were returned to their places of origin in Canada.
D. The wolf hunting season was extended.

Answer 1

The government action in 2009 that reduced protection for gray wolves was their removal from the federal endangered species list, which was controversial due to the wolves' ecological role as a keystone species in Yellowstone. Option B is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

In 2009, the government action that meant that gray wolves would no longer receive complete protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was B. the wolves were removed from the federal endangered species list. This was a controversial move, as gray wolves had been reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park in 1995, resulting in significant ecological benefits. Wolves are considered a keystone species because their predatory behavior can influence and balance the ecosystems in which they live.

For example, the presence of wolves in Yellowstone changed the grazing patterns of elk, leading to the regrowth of vegetation and benefiting other species such as beavers and fish by improving their habitats. Consequently, the removal of gray wolves from the endangered species list raised concerns among environmentalists and affirmed the position of cattle ranchers and hunters who see wolves as a threat to livestock and game populations.