arstechnica.com
A recent study reveals that human activity, not predators like wolves or bears, is the primary factor influencing elk, moose, and deer populations in the Western US. While a combination of wolves, grizzlies, and absent hunting can suppress prey numbers, predators generally have a minimal impact compared to human management. Some ungulate populations even slightly increased with predators present. Researchers emphasize that restoring ecosystems after losing keystone carnivores like wolves is a complex, lengthy process, potentially impossible to fully reverse. Therefore, preventing the initial loss of these species is crucial for maintaining ecological balance.
