Re: “B.C. wolf cull aimed at saving caribou,” Jan. 16.
Wolves are not responsible for the decline in numbers of caribou. In fact, they contribute to the health of the herd by removing the weak and sick animals.
In a “predator-prey” relationship, the number of wolves rises and falls with the number of caribou available. The “carrying capacity of the population” is the population size that the resources of the environment can sustain.
In the case of the South Selkirk caribou herd, changes in the landscape, due to forestry, roads and development, account for the decline in numbers. This would occur with or without the presence of wolves.
Therefore, the culling of wolves is a useless “knee-jerk” reaction that would not be of any benefit to the caribou.
Sandra Levy
Victoria
