National Context
Our forest parks and preserves have become increasingly important when protecting our country’s wildlife. Since the colonization of North America, there has been a history of abuse towards wildlife. Species like wolves were seen as pests and were exterminated in some parts of the US; Bison were nearly hunted to extinction because of their abundance and meat; Bald eagles nearly went extinct because of our untested use of pesticides. All along the way Americans cleared the habitats were these animals lived in order to make room for progress. Today, the little bit of national parks left (which are 58) are protected by the US forest service in an effort to preserve what is left for future generations. The wildlife we have here is important because it is unique to our country and therefore sustains a unique environment. However, in cities where wildlife is typically scarce, the only places to turn to are our zoos. Zoos offer the public an opportunity to see wildlife they would otherwise never see, and also help educate people of the importance these animals play in the environment. One of the best zoos in the US is the San Diego zoo, which is “home to over 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies” (About the San Diego Zoo). Not only does it house a wide variety of animals, it also has its own institute for conservation research that over the years has helped to reintroduce the California condor, a species native to our country that was on the brink of extinction. Besides zoos, other places that help conserve our local wildlife include national parks such as Yellowstone. Yellowstone was established in 1872 and was America’s first national park. Yellowstone has also been helpful in bringing back wolves from the brink of extinction. After their numbers dwindled over the years due to habitat lose and hunting, there were absolutely no wolves in Yellowstone up until 1994; wolves were then reintroduced in 1995 and 1996. The 41 wolves that were brought in thrived and there are now “over 300 of their descendants living in the Greater Yellowstone Area” (Wolves in Yellowstone). Without the help of our zoos and national parks and the effort that was made to help conserve our wildlife, animals such as the wolf, the eagle, and the bison might not have survived.