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Neonatal Mortality of Elk in Wyoming: Environmental, Population, and Predator Effects
Neonatal Mortality of Elk in Wyoming Environmental Population and Predator Effects Author:U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Large carnivores are considered keystone species that are vital to the integrity of many ecosystems (Estes 1996, Power et al. 1996). However, restoration and recovery of large North American carnivores has been met with skepticism and resistance by some Americans, particularly those that live closest to recovery areas and feel threatened by thei... more »r presence (Bath 1991, Fisher 1995, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). The most prevalent concerns are livestock depredations, financial loss to ranchers, human safety, and large losses of wild ungulate populations (Bath 1991, Braun 1991, Linnell et al. 1995, Pate et al. 1996, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1998). Mech (1996) noted that the debate is not about whether predators affect their prey; they do. Rather, debate continues about the degree to which predation is compensatory, regulates prey populations in combination with other factors, and how predators may shape behavior and structure of prey populations.« less