Populations of white-tailed deer (白尾鹿) are growing rapidly in many parts of the United States. As populations grow, food becomes a problem. Many deer die of hunger. Others grow up small and unhealthy. In search of food. hungry deer move closer to where humans live. They eat farm crops, vegetables and even trees. Besides, increased numbers of deer near roads can cause traffic accidents.     

People admire the grace and fast speed of deer. Most people don't want these animals to be hungry and ill. Should people take action to control the growing deer populations?

Should People Take Direct Action?

Many people think that hunting (打猎) is the best way to control the animal populations. Wildlife managers will see if there's enough food in an area and decide its carrying capacity (容量). Then hunters with licenses are sent to help control the number of deer. Hunting is usually not allowed in cities or suburbs, however.

Some people have the idea to catch the deer and move them to other places. But this method is expensive and requires finding another place that can accept the deer without breaking the balance of ecosystem.

Scientists are also working to develop chemicals to control the birth rate in deer populations. But this plan works for only one year at a time.

Should People Take Indirect Action?

Some suggest bringing in natural enemies of deer, such as wolves, lions and bears, to areas with too many deer. But these animals could also hurt dogs, cats, and even humans. Other communities have built tall fences (篱笆) around areas to keep out the deer. However, this is impossible for farmers.

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Some people are against any kind of action. They support leaving the deer alone. Animal populations in an area naturally go up and down over time. Doing nothing means that some deer will die of hunger or illness. But finally, the population will reach a size within the carrying capacity of the environment. So, let nature go its own way.

He was the only gray cub (幼崽) of the she-wolf. The other cubs had red in their hair. He was gray like his father. He was the strongest cub. He showed more anger than his brothers and sisters. He made more noises.

He was a carnivorous animal. He came of a breed of meat-killers and meat-eaters. His father and mother lived wholly upon meat. In his first months of life, he lived on mother’s milk, which was transformed directly from meat. And now, at a month old, when his eyes had been open for but a week, he was beginning himself to eat meat.

There came a time when there was no meat. For many days the cubs did not eat. They were too weak and tired to play. One-Eye, the cub’s father, was killed in the fight over food. Even the she-wolf left the cave to find meat, but there was nothing. One by one, the cubs died. Only the she-wolf and the gray cub were left.

One day the gray cub ran out of the cave to hunt for his own food. He met a weasel (黄鼠狼) of his size. The rat-like animal ran at him and bit his throat. He was nearly dead when the she-wolf arrived just in time to kill and eat it.

The gray cub was not good at hunting yet, and still needed food from his mother. One day, the she-wolf brought him a lynx (猞猁) kitten. While eating, he heard great noise. The kitten’s mother had followed the she-wolf here. The she-wolf and the she-lynx started to fight, and they would fight to the death. ________ The bite was enough to give the she-wolf the chance she needed. The lynx was dead, but the she-wolf was badly hurt. For a week, she did not move. The gray cub had to find food for both of them.

Without his mother to take care of him, he learnt what life was about. Without meat there was no life. Animals had to eat other animals to survive. The law was: EAT OR BE EATEN.