The top-down regulation of ecosystems requires the action of top carnivorous predators like wolves. However, due to human activities, there has been a large reduction in the number of wolves in North America, which requires our immediate conservation. It is urgent to save endangered species because protecting endangered species like wolves from extinction is protecting ourselves from extinction. To be specific, without wolves in the ecosystem, the conditions of other animals and plants will be disturbed and altered unpredictably, and the disturbance may result in a more wide-spread collapse of species, including human beings.
Wolves in Yellow Stone National Park affect many aspects of the ecosystem (credit: National Park service)
Eastern wolves, native to North America, are one of the wolves/coyotes that have been disappearing, and are claimed to require protection by the law. The origin of eastern wolves (Canis lycaon) has been the subject of an ongoing debate and controversy. Specifically, while some claimed that eastern wolves are a distinct species, others argued that they are the hybrids from other wolves.
Eastern wolf (Canis Lycanon) (credit: Michael Runtz)
As the debate proceeds, scientists have found controversial evidence, including morphological and genetic analysis of wolves, giving inconsistent interpretations of the origin of eastern wolves.
Different canis types, eastern wolves (second from left) (credit: ScienceNews)
According to the law, only endangered species are qualified for protection, while hybrids are not. Therefore, the mysterious origin of eastern wolves creates problem for the government because whether eastern wolves are qualified for protection by law cannot be determined currently.
In conclusion, the most urgent act is for scientists to solve the mystery of the origin of eastern wolves, and then the government can determine whether eastern wolves should be saved as a top predator.
