Second Argument--Livestock

First of all, I'm really, really sorry for not having this up sooner, and I'll get the other post I'm behind on up soon!

Anyway, the issue of livestock is perhaps the most bitter of all; this is where the true controversy comes up. Admittedly, the evidence here probably favors the con side, because it is simply a fact that wolves kill livestock, and this is what has ranchers up in arms against the reintroduction program.

After the wolves had been fully released into the park, it was anticipated that wolves would eventually begin to kill cattle and sheep. They're much easier prey than wild game such as elk and bison. Ranchers, under the provisions of the program, have the right to kill any wolf they actually see attacking the animals, but many wolves have been killed illegally by ranchers.

Many biologists believe, however, that sheep would, in fact, be safer with wolves around, because wolves kill coyote, a problem animal for ranchers. Most farmers do not see the wolves as added protection for their livestock, and have fought hard to have the program aborted.

In fact, however, the number of animals killed by wolves has been much less than proponents of the reintroduction plan have anticipated, as wolves tend to prefer their traditional, wild prey to sheep and cattle.

Furthermore, the Defenders of Wildlife, one of the major defenders (pardon the pun) of the wolf program, compensate ranchers for any wolf-related loss of livestock, though it must first be proven that the animal's death was due to wolves and not to attacks by animals such as wildcats, bears, or coyotes.