“Well, yes and no. When areas are over populated there’s not enough food. So that species will die out somewhat and what food they ate slowly recovers and then they come back.”
EXCEPT when livestock are introduced into the equation. Now, when the natural prey are decimated, wolves turn to livestock, pets and anything else they can kill and eat, including unwary humans. I’m aware that folks claim that wolves always avoid humans, but that’s only when they’re otherwise well-fed! Even well-fed wolves will aggressively kill domestic dogs, regardless of human presence.
JC
Read the book “Wolves in Russia”. Enlightening and a bit frightening. Wolves kill just to kill. The gentle term for it is “surplus killing”.
Gunner