Q. By 1935, hunting and trapping had eliminated wolves from the United States except for Alaska. Because wolves have since been protected as an endangered species, they have moved south from Canada and have become re-established in the Rocky Mountains and northern Great Lakes region. Conservationists who would like to speed up wolf recovery have reintroduced wolves in Yellowstone National Park. Local ranchers are opposed to bringing back the wolves since they fear predation on their cattle and sheep.

What are some reasons for re-establishing wolves in Yellowstone National Park? What effects may the reintroduction of wolves have on the ecological communities in the region? What might be done to mitigate the conflicts between ranchers and wolves?