Fauna Series No. 1 Cover Contents Foreword Approach Methods Analysis Conspectus Suggested Policy

Fauna of the National Parks of the United States PROBLEMS OF HISTORICAL ORIGIN THE RESULTS OF EARLIER INFLUENCES All depending upon the history of development of the region, the fauna of a park at the time of establishment was either much the same as it had been originally or it was greatly altered. The scheme of wild-life administration should meet the latter condition by corrective measures. Maladjustments caused by factors which have been eliminated from the park area will not necessarily correct themselves because these original causes are no longer operative. Where the status of species which have been adversely affected continues without showing improvement for a number of years after full protection has been established, management should be applied. CONDITIONS CAUSED BY DIRECT EFFECT OF EARLY INFLUENCES The status of wild life was impaired directly and immediately where animal populations were decimated by trapping, shooting, or poisoning. Some species were actually exterminated from the areas before they became parks. Others had been reduced to small numbers and recuperation has not resulted from park protection. Drains on a species from natural causes which are not ordinarily fatal because of an ample breeding stock may be overwhelming when it has been reduced to a few mated pairs per unit area. NEXT> TO REESTABLISH AN EXTIRPATED SPECIES (1)

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