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Contents

The Field Of Education In The National Parks

The Educational Program And Its Place In National Parks Administration

Museums In The National Parks

Planning A Park Museum

Museum Technique

Administration Of Park Museums

Nature Trails

Exhibits In Place

Guiding In The National Parks

Lectures In National Parks

Scientific Aspects Of The Park Protection Program

The Research Program In The National Parks

Use Of Recorded Scientific Data

Research Reserves

Publications

Libraries In The National Parks

Photography And Visual Education

General Administrative Problems





Proceedings Of The First Park Naturalists' Training Conference Held At Educational Headquarters, Berkeley, California:
November 1-30, 1929
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SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF THE PARK PROTECTION PROGRAM


THE PREDATORY ANIMAL PROBLEM AND ITS BEARING ON THE NATURAL BALANCE

By Frank Been

Because of the entrance of man into the natural scheme, the balance of nature, which perhaps has never been perfect, is completely overthrown. The best that we can hope to do is to arrange a balance of nature according to our ideas. These ideas are apt to be influenced by analysis no matter how much we try to avoid it. By looking forward into the future, we cannot help but see that the pressure of the demands for unutilized natural resources and the struggle for food may result in the complete destruction of the balance of nature. The only chance of preserving predatory animals which are necessary to the balance of nature is by creating preserves where these animals are protected. Our national parks are the logically and most advantageously situated to afford this protection. The world of science is becoming more generally respected. If science decrees that certain areas should remain untouched by man, it is quite likely that these areas will withstand the pressure of economic progress demanding that the areas be used industrially.

In protecting the predatory animal, we must consider the effect upon the territory bordering the park where there may be live stock ranches of some description. It is easily possible that animals protected in the park may cause serious losses to the ranger, who would be justified in killing the predator. Our effort to maintain a balance of nature is destroyed at that point, and we are helpless to change the situation because we cannot expect a ranger to support a scientific project to the extent of losing much of his stock.

If, however, this problem does not enter, to what extent will we go to maintain the natural balance? This history of this nation shows that certain kinds of game were at one time less plentiful than now because predatory animals were more numerous than before the appearance of man; he decreased the numbers of predators, thus permitting the increase in non-predators. In our national parks we shall determine the number of predators by their effect upon the non-predator, but that is not very likely to be a true balance of nature. Again the predator may become so numerous as to be dangerous or at least a serious nuisance, to the people of the park. If this occurs, steps must be taken to reduce the numbers, because the parks must be kept safe for the people, but such steps would not support a balance of nature.

Should predatory animals be protected in our national parks? They must be protected if we are to support our policy of education, not to mention the balance of nature. C. C. Adams presented three reasons why predators should be protected:

  • Scientific value - necessary in study of anatomy, ecology. evolutionary problems, and other scientific studies.

  • Educational and social values - people are generally greatly interested in animals which are needed to complete zoological gardens, and examples are often taken from animals in human social conduct.

  • Economic value - prevents over-population of herbivorous animals and rodents; source of fur and medicines.

These three reasons were presented to support the protection of predatory animals in general, but they are particularly applicable to the situation in our national parks as our parks are considered the most important sanctuaries for the protection of predators. To date there has been no comprehensive study of the animal situation in the national parks, but in Yellowstone and Yosemite, where the most work has been done, results indicate that the predators are far from safe in those parks. In many instances, the animals are exposed to an open season all around the park. With such a condition existing, it may only be a matter of time until the animal becomes extinct, even in the protected area because of the steady outside drain on the species.

Predatory animals are apt to be affected by the contacts with people so that the natural balance is destroyed by the change in the animal itself besides the change in its relation to the other animals. This does net apply only to predatory animals. Allan Brooks of British Columbia stated this when he said, "The garbage-can grizzlies of our parks can have little value in the study of the life-history of the animal."

References:

Journal of Mammology, Vol. 9, p. 354; Vol. 7, p. 37; Vol. 6, p. 83; Vol. 6, p. 25, 28.




Discussion: It is generally accepted that if we are to maintain the natural balance it is necessary to keep predators as well as representatives of non-predatory species.

Intelligent planning should govern the extent to which man will attempt to influence the natural balance.

Mr. Dixon's statement that poisons should not be used in the control of predatory animals in any of the national parks was endorsed by all present.

The following statements relative to the maintenance of the natural balance were recorded:

  • Even in national parks it is practically impossible to maintain a natural balance because boundaries produce an element of artificiality.

  • The natural balance is never a static condition. Natural communities are constantly changing. It is impossible to maintain a static condition in a natural area.

  • Participation by man in the protection of park fauna or flora (including insect control, tree disease control, predatory animal control, and control of fires caused by natural conditions) introduces an artificial element.

  • In endeavoring to maintain as nearly as possible a natural balance a definite administrative plan should be formulated which should be based upon the studies by specialists.

  • No exotic species of plants or animals should be introduced in the national parks. Any contemplated introduction of native species should be referred to Educational Headquarters for study by experts before action is taken.

  • Every reasonable effort should be made to prevent the extermination of native species, even though some measure of artificial control may be necessary.

  • Any control measures, designed to influence the natural balance (including control of predatory animals), should be based upon careful scientific study and a definite predetermined plan of action.











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