Use the sentences to answer the questions.

Tension exists between the ranchers who feel threatened by wolves and the conservationists who want to see wolves protected. Many ranchers want to remove federal protection for the gray wolves.

Which of the following describes what the word conservationists means in the first sentence?

A. a person who owns animals for selling them

B. a person who works for the government

C. a person who pursues animals for food

D. a person who wants to preserve the environment and wildlife

D. a person who wants to preserve the environment and wildlife

The word "conservationists" in the first sentence refers to a group of people who want to preserve the environment and wildlife. To get the answer, you need to understand the context given in the sentences. In this case, it mentions a group who wants to see wolves protected, which aligns with the definition of conservationists. Therefore, the correct answer is D. a person who wants to preserve the environment and wildlife.

D. a person who wants to preserve the environment and wildlife