The population of desert tortoises in Targland's Red Desert has declined, partly because
they are captured for sale as pets and partly because people riding all-terrain vehicles
have damaged their habitat. Targland plans to halt this population decline by blocking
the current access routes into the desert and announcing new regulations to allow access
only on foot. Targland's officials predict that these measures will be adequate, since it is
difficult to collect the tortoises without a vehicle.
Which of the following would it be most important to establish in order to evaluate the
officials' prediction?
A. Whether possessing the tortoises as pets remains legally permissible in Targland
B. Whether Targland is able to enforce the regulations with respect to all-terrain
vehicle entry at points other than the current access routes
C. Whether the Red Desert tortoises are most active during the day or at night
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D. Whether people who travel on foot in the Red Desert often encounter the tortoises
E. Whether the Targland authorities held public hearings before restricting entry by
vehicle into the Red Desert