Capital Press Reading Activity

Another in the series of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom non-fiction text examples to be used in your classroom. These will be available every Friday morning at 7 a.m. during the school year.

These questions are designed to use in conjunction with a selected article from the Capital Press. To obtain access to an e-edition of Capital Press FREE to educators and students visit http://capitalpress.or.newsmemory.com/nie.php/ For more information about this program and ways to use it in your classroom visit the program webpage. 

Article: Tube man waves bye-bye to wolves (Page 1)
Printable PDF 

Questions:

1. Why does this Oregon ranch have an inflatable "tube man"?
2. What are the benefits of this method of wolf deterrent? What about drawbacks? 
3. How is the group Defenders of Wildlife involved, how does this collaboration benefit both the rancher and the group? 
4. Under what conditions will the "tube man" be most effective as a deterrent? 
5. What do you think, will this method work? What other deterrents might be possible? 

Answers: 

1. This rancher has installed inflatable tube men to hopefully deter wolves from preying on his cattle. 
2. Answers will very. Possible advantages: relatively low cost, (hopefully) effective, easy to move, easy to install, etc.. Possible disadvantages: burns fuel to run (cost and environmental concerns), the wolves might get used to it overtime, expense to install and maintain, etc. 
3. Defenders of Wildlife is an environmental group collaborating with this rancher to find a solution. They have provided these inflatables to the rancher and are working collaboratively to help find long-term solutions to this challenge. This benefits the rancher because there are multiple perspectives and assistance finding solutions to his issue. The group is working to fulfill their mission of protecting wildlife.  
4. Answers will vary, the article identifies smaller pastures within view of the livestock as being the best suited for this deterrent. 
5. Answers will vary. 

Archives of past editions are available here. 

We welcome feedback or ideas to make this program as effective as possible! Please direct your questions or suggestions about this program to Jessica Jansen, Executive Director Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom  jessica.jansen@oregonstate.edu.