Yellowstone cutthroat vs. American white pelicans—who’s the winner? According to federal officials, it looks like Idaho’s plans to “manage” white pelicans to reduce their number needs some work. The pelicans tend to prey on spawning Yellowstone cutthroat trout. There is some debate as to the role the pelicans play and the role low river flows play in reducing the trout numbers (4,700 spawners in 2001 to 14 in 2005 but rising to 540 in 2008 after a couple of high water flow years). Both species are of concern. How should these concerns be dealt with?

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