The main purpose of the survey was to educate department students on the complications of developing and administering a scientific survey. Although we realize that the results of the survey do not accurately represent the campus community, we felt that the survey results and some additional comments about the recovery program would be of interest. Majors of the students ranged from Art to Sports Medicine to our own Fishery and Wildlife Science students. Opposition is most likely from those that disagree with the recovery effort because of the concerns about its cost and the potential impact of wolves on livestock and native prey.
Some locals feel there are already enough predators in the area.
Other area residents earn money by guiding and outfitting hunters and may feel that wolves will eventually reduce deer and elk numbers enough to affect their livelihoods. Partially eaten carcasses are being scavenged by predators ranging from eagles to grizzly bears. In addition, wolf predation on the park's abundant elk may reduce their tendency to overuse streamside vegetation and eventually allow recovery of willow and aspen communities. Although the Mexican wolf recovery program has many differences from the more successful wolf recovery program in Yellowstone, efforts to return the wolf to the Southwest are mandated by federal law and strongly supported by many individuals and organizations. I see wolves as a great addition to our wild America.