Wolves once inhabited the state of Colorado, but more than a century and a half ago the species was eradicated. Environmentalists believe the lack of wolves presents Colorado with an ecological imbalance. The Rocky Mountain Wolf Action Fund is fighting to create a 2020 ballot measure that would allow for the reintroduction of the gray wolf to the state west of the Continental Divide. Their goal is to create a plan that will properly manage and restore wolves in Colorado's ecosystem. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay A rancher would oppose this bill because of the safety risks it would present to livestock on the farm. Livestock provide pastoralists with a means of livelihood and are therefore considered one of their most valuable assets. The gray wolf is classified as an apex predator because it has no natural predators. Wolves live in packs. Packs can range in size from five to eight members and have social structures that ensure survival and reproduction. Its main prey are ungulates. This presents a significant risk to ranchers since these animals are elk, deer and bison. Domestic species such as cattle, sheep and goats are also common prey for the wolf. Ecosystems are made up of several trophic levels. The trophic level of an organism determines its position in the food chain. In terrestrial ecosystems, photosynthetic plants are the base level while apex predators are at the top. The reintroduction of wolves could cause trophic cascades. During previous wolf reintroductions, trophic cascades have proven positive for the biodiversity of these ecosystems. However, biotic factors such as predation and competition can pose a threat to species abundance and cause disruptions in the food chain. The extent of their effect cannot be predicted, therefore strict measures to manage the migration and growth of wolves must be put in place to ensure safety in areas outside the national park boundaries. If wolves are introduced, they will most likely dominate the competition and create further imbalance in the biodiversity of the ecosystem. A drastic change in a biotic factor such as competition can alter where a species exists in a given ecosystem. Colorado does not have a finalized plan to compensate farmers for the deaths of their livestock caused by wolves. The state of Oregon has regulations regarding compensation for livestock killed by a wolf. These regulations state that the breeder must prove that the animal was consumed by a wolf and report the case immediately. The breeder must also protect the crime scene so that wildlife officers can gain access to the situation. Another condition for obtaining compensation is that the rancher must prove to a committee that he did everything in his power to demonstrate non-lethal means to protect his farmland and livestock from wolves. If wolves are to be introduced into Colorado, it is necessary for the state to develop specific regulations, similar to those in Oregon, ensuring that ranchers obtain compensation for the deaths of their livestock caused by wolves. It is also important that breeders and those composing the bill agree on the value of certain animals. Livestock may become more valuable as they age, so being compensated for their original price might not be fair. If the State implements this measure for owners_(2020).