Elk PBL

1. Elk PBL By Diana Rojas, Esmeralda Gutierrez, Tiffany Annan, Alizah Smith

2. Problem • Elk have exponentially grown, overpopulating within the boundaries of rocky mountain national park, causing an issue of damage within the ecosystem, including both the park and areas near the park.

3. Ecological • Rocky national park contains several ecosystems including : • Tundra's • Meadows • Forests • Montane • Riparian • Subalpine • alpine

4. Ecological cont.food flow & trophic levels Bears Bobcat wolves tertiary • Western garden snake, great horned owl, badger Secondary consumers Primary consumers producers

5. Ecological con. • The ecosystem of rocky mountain national park has responded to the elk over population with several signs : • The aspen trees in the park have decreased in size, height, and in age • Elk have driven out insects • Elk have caused problem with the people in area • Several elk have chronic waste disease

6. Cultural & political • The park often has so many elk that they have over eaten on aspen tress, shrubs, and grass, leaving other organisms without food and habitat. • Few natural predators are left • hunting is not allowed in all national parks, so little remains to keep the elk population in balance. • The park wants to bring in wolves

7. Cultural & political cont. • Cons : • 1890 the people killed about 49 elk and sold elk meat to several stores & markets • The elk blocks traditional migration routes • They weigh up to about 600 pounds • When elk make their calling sound it may disturb other that are around & even frighten and hurt little ones • The elk move to valleys or upper neighborhoods disturbing other animals & properties • Ex: • You are in a hurry to work when you see an elk in the middle of the road, if you don’t want your car to flip over or get in an accident you have to turn off you lights and engine so you won’t frighten the elk despite the fact you will be late for work.

8. Cultural & political cont. • Herding may be done by using dogs, ATVs, mounted rangers on horses, or helicopters. The intent of herding is to recreate the natural migrations of elk • populations. • Pros: Simulates natural migration patterns that would be present with large predators. Prohibits elk from overgrazing in an area. • Cons: Potential negative effects from the use of other animals and machines

9. economical • Rocky mountain national park has tried several methods of reducing the elk population such as : • Fencing in the vegetation • Lethal reduction • fertility control • Hunting continuing on outside of the park

10. History • In 1920s roads were building in the park • Evidence has shown that native Americans have visited the area of the park for at least 10,000 years • the people of the united states wanted to see nature take its course in the park. The park went into a “natural regulation” which didn’t use any human control over the elk population • in 2007, the park began implementing the current elk & vegetation management plan, designed to protect plant populations from the large elk herds. • There are between 1,200 & 2,100 elk

11. Our solution for to the problem of overpopulating of elk within rocky national park.

12. solution We would like to legalize hunting inside the park. For this we would like a certain amount of hunters for hunting and a specific day in the month for hunting. There would be a limit of two elk per hunter. These hunts would occur either early in the morning of late a night to decease disturbance to the people in the area. Additional facts: Hunting is prohibited in the park by law. In 1929 hunting was prohibited within the limits of Rocky Mountain National Park. here's some issues towards hunting: It would significantly change the visitor experience in the park. Visitors expect to come to Rocky Mountain National Park and not encounter hunters. It would require changing the law that has been in place in the park since 1929. It would significantly displace the existing recreational use of park visitors and would compromise visitor safety.

13. Solution cont. • We would like to enforce restrictions and consequences for the hunters • Two elk per hunter • Consequences: • More than two elk would lead to a fine of $ • Another penalty the hunter will be expulsed from hunting in the park • Days of hunting: • Will occur once a week per month until the population is balanced • Advertisement: • There will be advertisements for the hunting dates and time • Requirements: • A hunting license • Background check on hunters

14. Additional hunting facts • Hunting is prohibited in the park by law. In 1929 hunting was prohibited within the limits of Rocky Mountain National Park. here's some issues towards hunting: • It would require changing the law that has been in place in the park since 1929.

15. Cultural & political • Cons: • Violent form of recreation that left countless animals maimed & orphaned animals vulnerable to starvation, exposure, and predation. This activity disrupts natural animal population dynamics and has contributed to the extinction of animal species all over the world, including the Tasmanian tiger and great auk. • When animals are killed or removed, a spike in the food supply results. This causes survivors and newcomers to breed at an accelerated rate causing population to increase. The result is a pointless, never-ending, and expensive killing cycle. • Our office routinely receives reports from upset residents who spot animals wandering around with gunshots wounds or protruding arrows. • Hunting disturbs migration & hibernation patterns and destroys families. • In 2006, vice president Dick Cheney infamously shot a friend while hunting quail on a canned-hunting preserve • Involves the death of an animal that may not have otherwise died. Has a negative connotation in the public mind. • It would significantly change the visitor experience in the park. Visitors expect to come to Rocky Mountain National Park and not encounter hunters • It would significantly displace the existing recreational use of park visitors and would compromise visitor safety. • Pros: Allows for rapid decrease in elk population. Efficient and cost effective

16. Economical • The cost for hunting will not effect the park but rather the hunter • Non-resident elk licenses are $586.00 • $ 5 extra for a Habitat stamp ( required for people of ages 16-64)

17. Historical • The aspen tress heights will return to normal • Elk population will regulate to under 1,000 per herd • More vegetation & return of several species

18. Sources • Website: www.rockmountainnationalpark.com • Articles used: • Elk & Vegetation Management Plan Fact Sheet • Website: www.rapidcityjournal.com • Getting an eyeful of elk during Black Hills aerial survey • Website: http://www.nps.gov • Nature & Science