1. By Diana Rojas, Esmeralda Gutierrez, Tiffany Annan, Alizah Smith
Elk PBL By
Diana Rojas, Esmeralda Gutierrez, Tiffany Annan, Alizah Smith

2. Problem
Elk have exponentially grown, overpopulating within the boundaries of rocky mountain national park, causing an issue of damage within the ecosystem, including both the park and areas near the park.

3. Ecological Rocky national park contains several ecosystems including :
Tundra's
Meadows
Forests
Montane
Riparian
Subalpine
alpine

4. Ecological cont. food flow & trophic levels
Elk, chipmunks, Colorado cutthroat trout, mountain bluebird
Quaking aspen, willow, kinnikinnick, rocky mountain juniper, mountain ball cactus, spike fescue
Bears
Bobcat
wolves
tertiary
Western garden snake, great horned owl, badger
Secondary consumers
Primary consumers
producers

5. Ecological con.
The ecosystem of rocky mountain national park has responded to the elk over population with several signs :
The aspen trees in the park have decreased in size, height, and in age
Elk have driven out insects
Elk have caused problem with the people in area
Several elk have chronic waste disease

6. Cultural & political
The park often has so many elk that they have over eaten on aspen tress, shrubs, and grass, leaving other organisms without food and habitat.
Few natural predators are left
hunting is not allowed in all national parks, so little remains to keep the elk population in balance.
The park wants to bring in wolves

7. Cultural & political cont.
Cons :
1890 the people killed about 49 elk and sold elk meat to several stores & markets
The elk blocks traditional migration routes
They weigh up to about 600 pounds
When elk make their calling sound it may disturb other that are around & even frighten and hurt little ones
The elk move to valleys or upper neighborhoods disturbing other animals & properties
Ex:
You are in a hurry to work when you see an elk in the middle of the road, if you don’t want your car to flip over or get in an accident you have to turn off you lights and engine so you won’t frighten the elk despite the fact you will be late for work.

8. Cultural & political cont.
Herding may be done by using dogs, ATVs, mounted rangers on horses, or helicopters. The intent of herding is to recreate the natural migrations of elk
populations.
Pros: Simulates natural migration patterns that would be present with large predators. Prohibits elk from overgrazing in an area.
Cons: Potential negative effects from the use of other animals and machines

9. economical
Rocky mountain national park has tried several methods of reducing the elk population such as :
Fencing in the vegetation
Lethal reduction
fertility control
Hunting continuing on outside of the park

10. History In 1920s roads were building in the park
Evidence has shown that native Americans have visited the area of the park for at least 10,000 years
the people of the united states wanted to see nature take its course in the park. The park went into a “natural regulation” which didn’t use any human control over the elk population
in 2007, the park began implementing the current elk & vegetation management plan, designed to protect plant populations from the large elk herds.
There are between 1,200 & 2,100 elk

11. Our solution for to the problem of overpopulating of elk within rocky national park.

12. solution
We would like to legalize hunting inside the park. For this we would like a certain amount of hunters for hunting and a specific day in the month for hunting. There would be a limit of two elk per hunter. These hunts would occur either early in the morning of late a night to decease disturbance to the people in the area.
Additional facts:
Hunting is prohibited in the park by law.
In 1929 hunting was prohibited within the limits of Rocky Mountain National Park. here's some issues towards hunting:
It would significantly change the visitor experience in the park. Visitors expect to come to Rocky Mountain National Park and not encounter hunters.
It would require changing the law that has been in place in the park since 1929.
It would significantly displace the existing recreational use of park visitors and would compromise visitor safety.

13. Solution cont.
We would like to enforce restrictions and consequences for the hunters
Two elk per hunter
Consequences:
More than two elk would lead to a fine of $
Another penalty the hunter will be expulsed from hunting in the park
Days of hunting:
Will occur once a week per month until the population is balanced
Advertisement:
There will be advertisements for the hunting dates and time
Requirements:
A hunting license
Background check on hunters

14. Additional hunting facts
Hunting is prohibited in the park by law. In 1929 hunting was prohibited within the limits of Rocky Mountain National Park. here's some issues towards hunting:
It would require changing the law that has been in place in the park since 1929.

15. Cultural & political Cons:
Violent form of recreation that left countless animals maimed & orphaned animals vulnerable to starvation, exposure, and predation. This activity disrupts natural animal population dynamics and has contributed to the extinction of animal species all over the world, including the Tasmanian tiger and great auk.
When animals are killed or removed, a spike in the food supply results. This causes survivors and newcomers to breed at an accelerated rate causing population to increase. The result is a pointless, never-ending, and expensive killing cycle.
Our office routinely receives reports from upset residents who spot animals wandering around with gunshots wounds or protruding arrows.
Hunting disturbs migration & hibernation patterns and destroys families.
In 2006, vice president Dick Cheney infamously shot a friend while hunting quail on a canned-hunting preserve
Involves the death of an animal that may not have otherwise died. Has a negative connotation in the public mind.
It would significantly change the visitor experience in the park. Visitors expect to come to Rocky Mountain National Park and not encounter hunters
It would significantly displace the existing recreational use of park visitors and would compromise visitor safety.
Pros: Allows for rapid decrease in elk population. Efficient and cost effective

16. Economical
The cost for hunting will not effect the park but rather the hunter
Non-resident elk licenses are $586.00
$ 5 extra for a Habitat stamp ( required for people of ages 16-64)

17. Historical The aspen tress heights will return to normal
Elk population will regulate to under 1,000 per herd
More vegetation & return of several species

18. Sources Website: www.rockmountainnationalpark.com Articles used:
Elk & Vegetation Management Plan Fact Sheet
Website:
Getting an eyeful of elk during Black Hills aerial survey
Website:
Nature & Science