Wildlife, a Valuable Resource 



Wild animals are an important part of 

 our environment, and for centuries they 

 have served our needs in a number of 

 ways. Historically, many species were 

 used for food, clothing, or adornment. 

 But in those earlier years, wildlife was 

 seldom managed. Some species, such 

 as the passenger pigeon, became 

 extinct; and other species, like the bison 

 and beaver, became seriously depleted. 



Today, wildlife continues to provide 

 people with a variety of benefits. Wild 

 animals contribute to our enjoyment of 

 outdoor recreational activities such as 

 camping, hiking, photography, and hunt- 

 ing. The knowledge that abundant wild- 

 life exists is important for many people. 

 Diverse wildlife species are major com- 

 ponents of a healthy environment; bea- 

 vers, for example, can create aquatic 

 habitats beneficial to fish and waterfowl. 



Wildlife is receiving increased atten- 

 tion as people develop a broadened 

 environmental consciousness. Wildlife 

 is now recognized as having esthetic as 

 well as practical value and is managed 

 by the Federal and State Governments 

 to ensure future abundance. In some 



instances, however, this abundance has 

 led to conflicts between human and wild- 

 life interests as the following examples 

 illustrate. 



• People admire the industrious beaver. 

 However, when beavers disperse and 

 take up residence near people, their 

 dams may cause flooding that damages 

 valuable timber stands, roadways, drain- 

 age culverts, and agricultural land. In 

 the Southeastern United States, bea- 

 vers cause an estimated $100 million in 

 damage annually to public and private 

 property. 



• Mountain lions are regarded as regal 

 animals symbolizing wilderness, and as 

 a result of conservation efforts, their 

 populations are thriving across much of 

 the West. In California and Arizona, lion 

 predation on livestock — sheep, cattle, 

 and horses — has increased. There are 

 also occasional encounters between 

 lions and people. In April and Decem- 

 ber 1994, two California women were 

 attacked and killed by mountain lions — 

 one while jogging along the American 

 River and the second while birding in 

 Cuyamacca State Park. 



As mountain lion populations increase, so do 

 conflicts with people and livestock. 



