In the balance of nature it is difficult to see what part animals play. For the predators, and especially the cougar, this seems to be a perplexing problem. To follow the logic of the layman one would think that the cougar has everything his way and the only thing to be done is for man himself to exterminate the species. This is being done, but it is possible that nature has a natural check on this animal. Since it does not hibernate its food must be a serious problem in winter. Then, too, there is the cold temperature and other adverse weather conditions. Also, the cat family is notorious for fighting among its members. All these natural hindrances, and maybe others, might probably eliminate a few.

To disregard nature and artificially remove the predators has been found by actual test in the National Parks to be the wrong method. Their absence has led to the survival of sickly animals, which through heredity will weaken an entire herd. Only the fit can survive the elimination carried out by the predators and thus, the best of the herd are left to propagate the species.

Julius Hoverson,
Ranger-Naturalist

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