Which group originally called for wildlife conservation efforts?

The correct choice highlights the pivotal role that hunters and anglers have played in the history of wildlife conservation efforts. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as wildlife populations began to decline due to overhunting, habitat loss, and urbanization, it was hunters and anglers who first recognized the urgent need for conservation. They understood that the sustainability of wildlife populations was intimately connected to their recreational activities, which depended on healthy ecosystems and abundant wildlife.

This led to the establishment of various conservation organizations, with initiatives ranging from habitat restoration to legislative advocacy. One of the most notable examples is the formation of the American Conservation Movement, where sportsmen worked alongside ecologists and biologists to push for protective laws, leading to the establishment of national parks and wildlife refuges.

While ecologists, biologists, corporate wildlife managers, and government officials all play significant roles in modern conservation efforts, it was the hunters and anglers who initially sounded the alarm and mobilized support for wildlife protection, demonstrating their vital relationship with environmental stewardship.