Wolves generally avoid human settlements. For this reason, domestic sh

This is an explain and resolve (paradox) question.
The seemingly contradictory set of facts here are
1. From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were killed.
2. Yet wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.

We need an answer choice that explains this apparent contradiction without changing either of the fact statements.
A good explanation will link the fact that killing practice increased and how this somehow resulted in more sheep attacks.

Let's look at option D: "Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend themselves
against wolf attacks"
This only explains why sheep get hunted down by wolves. It does not explain why there was an increase in attack on sheep after the Wolf hunting practice started. D is therefore wrong.

Let's look at C: "After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby greatly
diminishing these wolves’ ability to prey on wild animals."

Okay- so this statement seems irrelevant at face value. But it isn't!
Lets assume then that the statement is true. If it is found that this hunting practice resulted in more wolves being injured and as a result they become less able to hunt wild animals-> this implies that they will start hunting domesticated animals more frequently than they did before (because they are easy prey). This statement does explain how this increase in attack on sheep could have happened. This is therefore the correct answer!
Hint: remember - wolves generally keep away from human settlements. An injured wolf will HAVE to encroach human settlements to hunt on easy prey (sheep). This could result in there being more sheep attacks than previously.

Wolves generally avoid human settlements. For this reason, domestic sheep, though essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them. In Hylantia prior to 1910, farmers nevertheless lost considerable numbers of sheep to wolves each year. Attributing this to the large number for wolves, in 1910 the government began offering rewards to hunters for killing wolves. From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were killed. Yet wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increase in wolf attacks on sheep?

A. Populations of deer and other wild animals that wolves typically prey on increased significantly in numbers from 1910 to 1915.

B. Prior to 1910, there were no legal restrictions in Hylantia on the hunting of wolves.

C. After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby greatly diminishing these wolves’ ability to prey on wild animals.

D. Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend themselves against wolf attacks.

E. The systematic hunting of wolves encouraged by the program drove many wolves in Hylantia to migrate to remote mountain areas uninhabited by humans.

I saw this question on my GMATprep exam. I answered "C" but the answer was marked as wrong and "B" was shown as the correct answer.

Is this a mistake?

I saw this question on my GMATprep exam. I answered "C" but the answer was marked as wrong and "B" was shown as the correct answer.

Is this a mistake?

https://ibb.co/pXHfpcm

Wolves generally avoid human settlements. For this reason, domestic sheep, though essentially easy prey for wolves, are not usually attacked by them. In Hylantia prior to 1910, farmers nevertheless lost considerable numbers of sheep to wolves each year. Attributing this to the large number for wolves, in 1910 the government began offering rewards to hunters for killing wolves. From 1910 to 1915, large numbers of wolves were killed. Yet wolf attacks on sheep increased significantly.

Which of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increase in wolf attacks on sheep?


(A) Populations of deer and other wild animals that wolves typically prey on increased significantly in numbers from 1910 to 1915.

(B) Prior to 1910, there were no legal restrictions in Hylantia on the hunting of wolves.

(C) After 1910 hunters shot and wounded a substantial number of wolves, thereby greatly diminishing these wolves' ability to prey on wild animals.

(D) Domestic sheep are significantly less able than most wild animals to defend themselves against wolf attacks.

(E) The systematic hunting of wolves encouraged by the program drove many wolves in Hylantia to migrate to remote mountain areas uninhabited by humans.