44 is an open-response question. wild red 6 poin wolves were once common in the southeastern united states. as this area became more developed, the number of wild red wolves was drastically reduced to about 20 individuals by 1967. these remaining wolves were captured and bred. in 1987, some captive-born red wolves were released into an area of north carolina. today, there are more than 50 wild red wolves living in north carolina. a. identify two ways development in the southeastern united states most likely contributed to the decline of the red wolf population. explain each of your answers. b. compare the red wolf's genetic diversity before the southeastern united states became more developed to the red wolf's genetic diversity in 1967. explain your answer. c. describe one other action, besides capturing and breeding, that could increase the number of red wolves in the southeastern united states. explain how this action could increase the number of red wolves.

a. The development of the southeastern part of the United States affected many species of animals, including the red wolves. The red wolves were seen as a species that is not useful and not wanted, and on top of that dangerous. Apart from the fact that the development led to destruction of the habitat of the wolves, so lot of them died out because of loss of habitat, the hunting played an even bigger role. As there were more and more people, and the encounters were becoming more often, and the wolves also had less food and started to attack the domestic animals, the hunters got activated and they almost killed the wolves to extinction, with only 20 individuals left.

b. Before the development of the southeastern apart of the United States, the red wolves were in relatively large number. This also meant that the genetic diversity was much greater among the red wolf population, resulting in healthy, stable, and strong population of this predator. When the situation came that only 20 individuals were left, then the genetic diversity shrinking to a very low level. Those 20 wolves did not had any other choice then to breed between each other, so in only couple of generations the genetic diversity become extremely low. That is very dangerous for a population, as if some of the individuals have some bad mutation or disease carrying with them, they can affect all the rest and the population may die out easily.

c. Apart from the capturing and breeding of the red wolves, the other method to increase their population is to reintroduce them into the areas where they once lived, under condition that it is a protected area. By reintroducing enough individuals so that the population can reproduce in a healthy manner, the red wolves population can easily and quickly reestablish itself in a natural manner, also contributing to restoring the natural order in their former habitat.