Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky mountain national park 265,873 acres Became official January 26,1915 Inhabitants include Elk Coyotes Badger Beaver Home to lots of plants

Before There has been inhabitants in the park since the Ice age The land was acquired in the 1803 Louisiana purchase Native Americans believed to have been here Also explored by Miners and Homesteaders

Native Americans ate elk meat and didn’t spare a single bone if it was from using it to build tents or clothing The gray wolf and grizzly bear was the main predator of the elk. In 1913 and 1914 the predator number was largely decreased which ended up with the elk population accelerating a little too fast.

Debrief There is a national park There are animals There are also trees So what’s the problem? There is an overpopulation of elk

TOday Known as a national park ever since January 26, 1915 The rocky mountain national park is a huge tourist attraction with over 3 million visitors every year Many of the same animals have survived over the years and so does the cultures and beliefs that were once here.

The park is also a good financial place with a estimate gross income of 15,000,000 per year It is a very bipolar climate The lower levels it can be calm and warm Meanwhile in the higher level it can be snowing Wind, rain and snow are a very big part of the park, they tend to vary through the parts in the park.

Elk Elk are very calm animals but they are overpopulated and can be dangerous to the ecosystem Elk tend to eat 5,040 pounds per year multiply that number by 800 and you get Naked trees Not enough resources Other animals starving

Opinions of the problems There are many negative thought about what the elk have done to the ecosystem They all come from different prespectives

perspectives Park ranger: It is most likely that the park ranger doesn’t not enjoy the overpopulation of elk. As a park ranger its their job to make sure that all the animals to be happy. Also although it might be sad to think about but something has to happen to ensure the safety of all animals Citizen: As a citizen and a visitor of the park it can be sad knowing that a lot of animals that are very important to the ecosystem are dying because of lack of food and little space. Also it can get boring if we see a lot of elk and not enough of variation in animals. All the problems from the same elk.

More perspective Tax payer: Although it is a problem of the overpopulation, I really don’t want to pay extra to visit or maintain the park. I would have to pay extra to pay for the solutions that are presented a lot of this solutions are pricey. Business owners: The overpopulation of the elk can affect the business of the selling goods. If I don’t have the correct amount visitors and customers. If it continues I can go bankruptcy

In the future If the elk population continues there can be serious consequences. There can be lots of loss in variation of trees. Animals having to lose their home. Bald spots which can never grow back up

More long term effects Lack of food for elk and other animals Disease easily transferred Continued issues with money loss Elk invasion of Estes park

Solution There are many solutions that are being thought of. The solution that my group thought would help the most to the environment and not empty the tax payers wallet We call it operation BLACK BULLET

BLACK BULLET Reason: It involves the lethal reduction of elk by a weapon with a silencer on it to not disturb the visitor. To also make sure that the eco lovers stay happy we will also reintroduce wolves at a very slow rate so we wont have too many wolves that can harm the business around the Estes park. Estimated cost: The cost is lower than most of the other techniques with only 17million of cost. After the problem is solved we wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore

Perspectives Tax payer: Is a big factor in making the plan work Happy Be able to be proud of the park No money loss afterwards Business owner: They are the park; they are a lot of the business it brings in No more destruction More visitor a year New meat to the menu: ELK

More perspectives Park ranger: Although they will feel ashamed they would be able to help other animals. Job is to help ALL animals Be able to spend time on animals in need Citizen: Their visitor experience would improve. Not see the same animal over and over again More fun Wont get affected by the solution