Not long ago, the brown tree snake was inadvertently introduced, via a cargo ship hailing from Papua New Guinea, into the jungles of Guam. In this new environment, the tree snake became an apex predator and began to threaten the local bird populations, particularly that of the white-throated ground dove. To help track the tree snake’s spread, wildlife agencies have informed local bird watching societies of the danger posed by the brown tree snake and asked them to report any tree snakes they saw.
Which of the following, if true, would provide most support for the prediction that the agencies’ action will have its intended effect?
A. Most recreational bird watchers in Guam are interested in the preservation of the white-throated ground dove because it is a rare bird, whose sightings are highly prized.
Correct, this option gives us a reason why bird watchers will be motivated to execute the wildlife agencies' action plan.
B. Tree snakes generally hunt nocturnally, but most recreational bird watchers in Guam practice their hobby during the day.
Incorrect, this weakens the plan.
C. The brown tree snake has an aggressive nature that makes it unattractive as prey.
Incorrect, it is irrelevant as it doesn't throw any light on the plan.
D. The tree snake is one of the multiple nonnative species on Guam that threaten the survival of white-throated ground dove populations there.
Incorrect, we already know from the argument that the tree snake is dangerous for this bird species.
E. The bird calls that most people use when trying to spot a white-throated ground dove on Guam do not attract the tree snake.
Incorrect, confidence reduces that the plan will succeed.