Sheep HeadConflict Yellowstone Wolves:

Advanced Science 7 Problem Based Unit

Introduction

The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood are classic children's fairy tales, but the tale of the Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf is real.  Wolves are predators, and in 1914, the United States Congress huffed and puffed and approved the funding to destroy the wolves.  Government bounty hunters helped ranchers protect their livestock by killing the wolves.  Sixty years later the Gray Wolf was listed as endangered.   In 1973, Congress enacted the Endangered Species Act, and the Wolf Recovery Program was started to reintroduce the Gray Wolf to its natural habitat.   Currently about 160 wolves have been reintroduced to central Idaho and Yellowstone National Park.  But this story does not have a fairy tale ending.  Fearing for their livestock, the ranchers filed a lawsuit, and in December 1997, U.S. District Judge William Downes ruled that all the wolves and their offspring must be removed.

Performance Task

Your task will be to analyze the Rocky Mountain Gray Wolf problem, and draw your own conclusion to the following question.  

Based upon your research, what are some problems associated with re-introducing the Gray Wolf into its natural habitat?  Should the Gray Wolf be removed again, or should we leave them alone?

Remember that there is no right or wrong answer.   The Gray Wolf issue is complex.  You will be assessed on how you support your conclusion, communicate effectively, and collaborate with your peers.  Your final activity will be to make your ideas known to others.  Some ideas are that you might create a magazine page, write an editorial, or make a public broadcast commercial.  Government, environmental, and agricultural leaders can't seem to solve the issue.  Maybe they need to see it through the eyes of a student.

The Process:  You will be working together in a small group of 3 to 4 students.  As an individual member of your group, you will be called on to explore several Web pages.  You will be the expert, and your group will be counting on you to provide a clear explanation of your portion of the information.  As a group, your job will be to:

  1. Investigate wolf behavior. 
  2. Research the Yellowstone Wolf Reintroduction Program.
  3. Define and analyze the current problem from different perspectives.
  4. Develop a solution.
  5. Report your solution to the class.

The Yellowstone Wolf Conflict is a real problem.  Your opinion is important, and your solution may give adult Crystalleaders insight. 

Step 1 - Investigate Wolf Behavior

Assign each group member one of the Web pages below.  It's ok if more than one student reads an article.  After exploring the Web pages individually, get back together in your group and answer the questions below. You will be required to turn in your notes as well as your group answers to the questions below.

 

  1. How do wolves help the environment?
  2. Why is it important that the wolves be reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park?
  3. Explain why wolves are considered predators.
  4. Why do wolves kill sheep and other livestock?
  5. How is family life for a wolf similar to that of a human?
  6. Craft one additional question and answer it. Please avoid yes or no type questions.

http://www.boomerwolf.com/goodwolf.htm

http://www.boomerwolf.com/videos.htm   - shows short clips on behaviors

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/wolves/  “What's in a howl?” by Nova online (You will need Real Audio.)

http://www.cnn.com/EARTH/9711/12/yellowstone.wolves/   “Wolves' Return to Yellowstone Sparks Controversy"

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1204_031204_yellowstonewolves.html

 

 

ONLY TURN IN 1 PAPER WITH ALL GROUP MEMBER NAMES FOR THE QUESTIONS!!  You will turn in these questions with your final product (step 5)

Step 2  - Yellowstone Reintroduction Background Information

Assign each group member one of the articles below.  It's OK if more than one student reads an article.  While you are exploring the Web page, answer the following questions.  Concentrate on not reaching any conclusion about the wolf reintroduction program.  Just get the facts!Sheep

  1. What is the Wolf Reintroduction Program trying to accomplish?
  2. Who are the organizations (people) involved in reintroducing the wolves?
  3. Where, when, and how were the wolves reintroduced in Yellowstone?
  4. Why are many of the local ranchers opposed to the wolves’ presence in Yellowstone?
  5. Craft one additional question and answer it.  Avoid yes or no type questions.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A47284-2004Jan25

http://www.yellowstone.net/wildlife/wolf.htm

http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-press-releases/040730_wolf_reintroduction_reshapes_yellowstone_ecology.html

http://www.angelfire.com/nj/wolf/wolfupdates.html  - this site can be sad- not for the light hearted

http://www.sightline.org/daily_score/archive/2005/03/17/10th_birthday_f

http://bioweb.wku.edu/ADP/index_files/Page539.htm

 

 

ONLY TURN IN 1 PAPER WITH ALL GROUP MEMBER NAMES FOR THE QUESTIONS!!  You will turn in these questions with your final product (step 5)

Step 3 - What Seems to be the Problem?

Identifying the problem is frequently the most difficult part of a good solution.  Instead of identifying the true problem, people tend to focus on obstacles to the problem.  This is because people have deep feelings about their side of the issue. Read the articles below and identify both sides of the problem. 

http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=787

http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=791

http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=793

http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=789

http://www.powayschools.com/projects/mt&r/Krause.htm

 

Step 4: Your TEAM must take a stand.  You must all come together to decide a position on the wolves in Yellowstone.  Go back to the problem question above and the website questions and decided as a TEAM.

Can man and wolf live together peacefully?  Should a rancher have the right to protect his/her livestock from wolf attack?  If the wolves are removed from Yellowstone, what will the impact be on other animals in the park?

Based upon your research, what are some problems associated with re-introducing the Gray Wolf into its natural habitat?  Should the Gray Wolf be removed again, or should we leave them alone?

Each of you may have a different opinion on the subject, but your group needs to reach only one conclusion.   Use the information that you have gathered to support your decision. 

Step 5:  Create something to share with the class that will convince others to join in your position.  See possible suggestions in the Performance Task. 

 

You decide on the product.  Ask yourself: 

Is the product advanced level work? 

Does the product convey important information to convince others to make an educated decision?

Is it creative and interesting?

Is it excellent, outstanding, & fabulous?

 

Possible ideas include:  a magazine, a newspaper, a brochure, a talk show, a panel discussion…

 

Bibliography:

http://www.powayschools.com/projects/mt&r/ConflictYellowstoneWolf.htm

 

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