Transcript by Kristi Birdsong

Wildlife
Conservation
by Kristi Birdsong
Conservation is the protection, preservation,
management, or restoration of wildlife and of natural resources
such as forests, soil, and water.
The goal of wildlife conservation is to ensure that nature will be
around for future generations to enjoy, and to recognize the
importance of wildlife and wilderness lands to humans.
Establishing protected territories for
animals is necessary to save wildlife
and their natural habitat.
Habitat is an animal’s home. There must be food,
water, and shelter for the animal to survive.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is
25 miles north of Lawton and provides
a habitat for many animals.
Wichita Mountains
Wildlife Refuge
Madill
American Bison
The American Bison is the largest existing land mammal in North America. The
Bison bulls can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds and have heavy horns and a large
hump of muscle which supports their enormous head and thick skull. They have
a thick mass of fur on their heads and a heavy cape of fur even in the summer.
The bison cows weigh about half as much as the bulls. Bison are a keystone
species of the Great Plains.
Keystone Species
A species that has a major
influence on the structure of an
ecosystem.
The Wichita
Mountains Wildlife
Refuge works to
protect a herd of
Texas Longhorn for
present and future
generations to
study and enjoy.
Texas Longhorn
Elk
After being gone from the Wichitas for
80 years Elk were reintroduced and now
there are approximately 800.
White-tailed Deer
The present day white-tailed deer of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife
Refuge are from original native stock that survived the early settlement
years of exploitation and over-hunting.
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
Prairie dogs are small,
stout ground
squirrels. The total
length of an adult
black-tailed prairie dog
is approximately 14-17
inches. The weight of
an individual ranges
from 1 to 3
pounds. Individual
appearances within the
species vary in mixed
colors of brown, black,
gray, and white. The
black-tipped tail is
characteristic.
Black-tailed prairie
dogs are burrowing
animals.
What are some
things humans do
that put wildlife at
risk?