State Senate Resolution claims wolves increasingly endanger people-
LANSING, MI. They just can’t give it up. Despite no wild wolf attacks in Michigan or any other state where wolves have been recently restored, politicians who don’t like them insist people are being increasingly threatened as shown by this story from the Michigan State Senate. The Republican Michigan State Senate just sent a resolution to Congress telling Congress take wolves off the endangered species list. They were recently added back to the list after a recent federal court ruling insisting it be done.
The matter of wolf attacks on people came up. Opponents of the resolution give the facts that there had been no wolf attacks on people in the state, but that did not dissuade use of language about an “increasing threat” of wolves to people. It seems that the myth of wolves eating people overrides the surprising docility of real wolves when people are around. Wolf attacks on people are less than attacks or injuries from any other wild large mammal in Michigan and the entire United States. Truthfully there have been no wolf attacks on people in Michigan or any documented threats. Michigan deer, however, do occasionally do attack people.
Story. Grey wolf endangered status prompts heated debate, resolution in Michigan Senate. By Jonathan Oosting.
Wolf attacks on Michigan livestock and dogs did slowly increase as the wolf population there has grown. Recently, however the number has declined after a high in 2010-2012.
What are termed “scare tactics” about wolves attacking people have also been used in Washington state, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon.
Comments
Like they don’t have other problems.
http://archive.freep.com/article/20140830/OPINION01/308300023/Michigan-legsilators-roads-funding-taxes
🙂 I love it.
Doesn’t lend itself to grandstanding as well.
Oh, and that article is kinda old: They are now actually are asking voters to up the sales tax to 7%, and are considering lowering the income tax – their idea of helping out the low to middle income folks is to extend one finger. PS: we have flat income taxes in MI. Hi Ho!
I’m amazed how fast Ralph picked this story up.
Rork:
They’re adopting the same strategy here (reduce income tax, raise other taxes). The problem is, the sales tax is regressive–it hits people harder the less money they earn. So essentially you have yet another example of republicans structuring tax policy so that wealth moves upward. Ugh.
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Over the last couple of years the MI legislature kept voters from voting on 4,5 issues. Yet, when they couldn’t come up with a plan to fund road taxes, they turned to the voters to approve the increased sales tax, and some other goodies that have been hidden but come to light recently. There will be a ballot proposal in May.
Are we missing something here?
Are wolves somehow implicated in the deterioration of our state’s vital thoroughfares? Have marauding packs been impeding construction crews struggling to repair Michigan’s battered roads before another winter unleashes its fury?
Most Lower Peninsula residents have never actually seen a wolf. Yet there are apparently numerous legislative districts where the animals’ nocturnal howls are so deafening that lawmakers can no longer hear what their constituents are saying about Lansing’s continuing neglect of Michigan’s roads.
Hee! 🙂
Its started. Looks like WI is tackling the matter from the other end with Rep. Ribble’s own bill (likely a rider with the same features as the MT, ID one) to be introduced later this week.
Also interesting comment from Adrian W.
Listen to the audio version:
http://wuwm.com/post/endangered-wisconsin-gray-wolf-management-taken-congress
And, once again you can thank HSUS and their friends for sending this matter the way it is heading.
Addendum: This apparently is the same bill that was mentioned in MN middle of last month, so nothing new. WI- R, Ribble, is leading the charge along with a D from MN, and your favorite R from WY, Cynthia Lummis.
http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/01/13/wolf-legislation
article says: “”Doug Peterson, president of the Minnesota Farmers Union, said he believes the court ruling is already affecting farms and ranches, particularly smaller family farms where the loss of a cow or calf or two puts a big dent in incomes. “At some point people are going to do what they’re going to do to protect their livestock. That ends up being a problem,” he said.””
Some education is needed here so Congress knows that the Endangered Species Act already allows direct lethal protection of persons and their livestock under attack and also that indiscriminate hunting and trapping breaks up wolf families and leads to more livestock predation. The last thing we need is another “rider” getting attached to a “must pass” bill.
I’m guessing the same number of people in congress will read the ESA as those that read the Obama care bill before passing it.
Ed,
++Some education is needed here so Congress knows that the Endangered Species Act already allows direct lethal protection of persons and their livestock under attack …++
Not true. Once again you have just enough information to be a danger to yourself and others.
There is no provision to kill an ESA protected species to protect attacks on livestock – only humans- and then it is only a “defense” in court, the event the accused violator is prosecuted. Of course, defending one’s self in federal court, including all preliminaries to trial is not an inexpensive outlay. Of course the physical evidence needs to support your defense, so you better have scratches/bites or lots of footprints or torn up ground around where you took your self-defense action. And, do not destroy evidence in your favor. Of course there are also the costs of federal LEO investigations too.
The Endangered Species Act, Section 11 [16 U.S.C. 1540]:
(a) Civil Penalties-
(3)Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no civil penalty shall be imposed if it can be shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant committed an act based on a good faith belief that he was acting to protect himself or herself, a member of his or her family, or any other individual from bodily harm, from any endangered or threatened species.
(b)Criminal Violations –
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, it shall be a defense to prosecution under this subsection if the defendant committed the offense based on a good faith belief that he was acting to protect himself or herself, a member of his or her family, or any other individual, from bodily harm from any endangered or threatened species.
WM you’re good at espousing the legal language. How many people have been prosecuted under either of those provisions? You’re well versed on the legal aspect so I’m confident you have a count on those people prosecuted for killing wolves that failed to prove they were being attacked.
“Of course the physical evidence needs to support your defense, so you better have scratches/bites or lots of footprints or torn up ground around where you took your self-defense action. And, do not destroy evidence in your favor. Of course there are also the costs of federal LEO investigations too.”
I say hogwash. All they have to do is say, “I thought it was a coyote”. Ba da bing. They walk.
Yvette WM is nothing more than a pseudo-intellectual. If we all ignored him perhaps he would go away.
Well, ya know timz, if you actually offered something of substance even occasionally, instead of stumbling around trying to high mark on those with whom you disagree the conversation would be a little better. Don’t know how many times you have peed on Obama and healthcare, which of course isn’t even relevant on this forum – now that’s true caterwauling.
You mean just go and cut and paste crap like you do and call that contributing. You’re a wanna be joke like I said, nothing but pseudo intellectual, and you’re so obvious not even a very good one of those
And you even had to us my caterwauling term. Have you ever had an original thought?
And btw I’ve never mentioned Obama care before it was simply used as a metaphor in this case. Of course that escaped you as it would any pseudo intellectual such as yourself.
Also despite you’re professed neutrality you’re a closet wolf hater and the fact you won’t admit also makes you a gutless coward.
There you are timmy, four comments all in a row, and not a wit with any substance relating to the topic thread… as usual.
I usually back up what I say with some authority. So, I must be reading something? You don’t have to agree with me, but at least you know how I reached a position. Sorry you don’t like the cut and paste, but it seems to be better than just pulling something out of my ass, like some folks do here with considerable regularity, yourself included.
I’m not a wolf hater, I just don’t want as many as some.
Let’s make it five. The only difference between you and the white trash I hear bantering about wolves in my community is you have a computer and know how to use Google. BTW it’s time for me to write another check to HSUS,I think I’ll send it in your name.
Yvette,
Now you are talking about prosecutorial discretion. Apparently some legal decision-makers are finding their federal tax Justice Department dollars might actually be spent in other higher priority areas.
By the way, I have no idea how many violators have been prosecuted for killing ESA protected wolves, but not many, after the McKittrick policy. http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=8579&news_iv_ctrl=1194#.VNp9D8J0xD8
“Now you are talking about prosecutorial discretion. Apparently some legal decision-makers are finding their federal tax Justice Department dollars might actually be spent in other higher priority areas.”
Nice diversion, but it simply shows my comment was correct. You know your first comment implied anyone that killed an endangered wolf would be pounced with the same fervor that Homeland Security would pounce on an an animal rights advocate. Nah, it doesn’t work that way for wolf killers.
“I thought I saw a coyote”
The laws that apply to one should apply to all, but it never works that way. Never has. How is that cattle round up on the Cliven Bundy federal land going? Did the Dann sisters ever get their livestock returned and the use of the Shoshone treaty land? Nah, you see, WM, the law just isn’t applied in the same way to all people.
Wolf killers typically walk free.
They know. They also know many of their constituents either don’t know, or will believe what they want to be the truth vs. facts. The anti-wolf faction will continue to lie, slant and twist all details because if you lie good enough and long enough people will believe it.
No lethal protection except for human safety in the GLR. The Great Lakes Region doesn’t allow for killing wolves for livestock conflicts, that’s a Rockies thing from the reintroduction.
Your constant caterwauling about HSUS and other groups efforts to protect the wolf has become extremely tiresome. Give it up already, most here appreciate their efforts.
Considering they (the HSUS) are already backpedaling and supporting reclassification for wolves under the more reasonable “threatened” listing in the GL states, I don’t think it would be too much to ask WM to allow for the dead horse to rest in peace.
HSUS deserves every piece of crap that gets piled on.
MN wolves have been in the “threatened” category, a lesser ESA classification than “endangered,” since their initial listing a very long time ago. They have sought delisting for the last 13 years or so, and HSUS has sued because they NEVER want them delisted (a formal written HSUS policy). Now that it appears the winds are changing, HSUS is seeking what THEY SAY is middle ground they have never sought before, and for MN there is nothing gained. So, expect MN to follow thru with a vengeance. WI and MI it appears are also fed up.
WM:
Do you agree that the legalized hunting and trapping of wolves is questionable and likely is no longer scientifically justified??
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141203-wolves-hunting-livestock-ranchers-endangered-species-environment/
I have seen Dr. Weilgus’ presentation on this topic. I think I recall some admissions on his part that the data sets could be better, and if they were, it could make the conclusions stronger (he has done similar work on cougar in WA). Since he was commissioned by WDFW to do the study for them, it seems the regulators ought to determine what hunting/trapping is ultimately conducted over the long term.
Alternatively, if hunting/trapping is in the end all about numbers of wolves and where they are, maybe this research is of little use. Probably should keep that in mind, too, Ed. So if wolves are eating too many elk or deer in the wrong place, I’d say all options for hunting/trapping are in play.
More on MN:
http://www.minnesotafarmguide.com/news/regional/mfbf-and-mfu-ask-for-gray-wolves-to-be-delisted/article_220160e4-b173-11e4-b081-a76104ba6c24.html?comment_form=true
WM:
To be fair, MN was just as intransigent (as HSUS) when wolves were being listed (they fought listing tooth and nail). So nothing’s really changed here except the political winds.
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Ed: Weilgus’ data doesn’t suggest wolf hunting isn’t scientifically justified. Rather, it suggests killing wolves increases depredations–to a point. Kill enough wolves and depredations actually fall (that’s the flipside of his findings that pro-wolf folks don’t like to talk about). Nevertheless, since we apparently need to maintain wolves (probably near current levels), states should use regulated public hunts cautiously, and in most places, they shouldn’t be talking about decreased depredations as a goal of such “management”.
JB:
Yes, I agree with you that if a wolf state allows enough wolves to be killed by hunting and trapping, eventually depredations on livestock and/or other animals will go down. In fact, if you carry this scenario forward the way many politicians want, wolf states can just eliminate wolves all together so there will be no wolf depredations on anything, anywhere. This is where politics over-rules science and unfortunately, it seems to be being promoted more and more.
WM,
I think what most people who like wolves do not want is wolf hunting and trapping, and they probably agree that the rest of the legal protection from endangered status is less than critical. Therefore, they will support a downloading.
MN might gain time for reason and logic to prevail in wolf management. Tolerance might increase and people might have the chance to see how unnecessary, inhumane and ecologically destructive public wolf hunts are and how much they are detested by a largely ignored public.
WM:
Your mistake here is is the same one made by those who take every chance to dig at hunters — both focus on people/groups rather than issues. Who cares what HSUS or RMEF or SCI or CBD has done in the past. It doesn’t matter. What matters is whether the policy that is currently being advocated is a viable alternative. The rest doesn’t matter, it amounts to ad hominem attacks. Tribalism has become the biggest barrier to agreement on wolf management policy.
—
Tribalism – ‘the behavior and attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to one’s own tribe or social group.’
WM,
I can’t speak for MN and WI, but in MI citizens did vote down both ballot proposals that would have led to another wolf season. The fact that the outcome is now moot thanks to MNRC initiative doesn’t tell me the state is fed up.
Once again, it’s just politics.
The HSUS is not backpedaling. I would say they made a reasoned proposition to avoid a potential radical outcome within a shitty super conservative anti conservation political environment.
I think its tragic that the courts have been consistently remanding protections of wolves back to the federal government, whether for lack of adequate state protections or because the USFWS acted arbitrarily and capriciously, only to have protections thwarted by sleazy politicians that will do anything to advance their archaic and superstitious witch hunt like positions about predators .
HSUS v. Jewell is the perfect example of how our system is supposed to work. When legal questions about a rule or law and the way its implemented or interpreted, arise, if there is legal standing or merit then the courts consider the issue and deliberate carefully before reaching a decision.
For politicians to lie, cheat and pander to Congress to override judicial decisions and prevent judicial review is damned undemocratic.
The HSUS did its job, they are advocates and watchdogs. If they and others like them did not exist, animals and wildlife would live even more miserable lives because the world is full of some pretty despicable people.
I don’t appreciate the continuous assaults on wildlife, public lands, and protective environmental legislation by extremists that make litigation unavoidable.
There was no backpeddaling. The HSUS has asked for downlisting the wolves to “threatened” so livestock owners could kill wolves since the delisting has come up again. The powers that be want total delisting. Free and clear wolves for any reason.
where to start with that comment, ” And, once again you can thank HSUS and their friends for sending this matter the way it is heading.” Jeez that’s so ridiculous its hard to comment.
Louise,
“[R]idiculous” you say.
You might want to look at this Congressional report – especially beginning at page 6. There is reference to CBD and WildEarthGuardians. HSUS is in the same tier of “irritation and loathing” by this Republican change agent group, but HSUS litigation to my knowledge not been as focused as much on the West.
http://valadao.house.gov/uploadedfiles/esaworkinggroupreportandrecommendations.pdf
The R’s in the House have 4 bills in the hopper already and that was before tide began to turn with the Senate going R controlled, and they haven’t even considered the Western Governor’s agenda yet.
More cut and paste? what a genius
Personally, I am so pleased at this crucial time of need with the work of HSUS, Wild Earth Guardians, Center For Biological Diversity, Western Watersheds Project and others. With Congress now so weak on wildlife conservation, these groups become even more valuable because they carry the battle to the courts, where they have secured many victories.
Hopefully, at some point soon, we can get many more politicians elected who are in tune with the public regarding nature and wildlife. In the meantime, these strong conservation organizations have to be the first line of defense, and I thank them for that.
LOL, timz
“Jeez that’s so ridiculous its hard to comment.”
Except for this: if congress delists great lakes wolves in some way, it will seem to be the result of the recent court “victory”.
Translation: I think he’s essentially correct. That does make it hard to have a coherent comeback.
Same for timz trolling when WM was correct about what the facts of the law now are.
I’m not sure I agree. Wolves were delisted before the suit, so Congressional action in response to the suit could merely return the status quo. Seems to me that you let Congress off the hook if you blame HSUS for Congresses’ actions? Then there’s the fact that they won the lawsuit, which suggests they were CORRECT in their interpretation of the law. If that interpretation stands [if the law is not amended] then their actions may help numerous other species, even if wolves are delisted. If Congress chooses to amend the law–well again, Congress is to blame for its actions.
And again, HSUS’ win in court may indeed result in wolves being delisted, but they were already delisted. If Congress delists wolves without amending the ESA, then HSUS still wins (because of precedent). If they don’t act when they believe the law demands more, then they admit defeat without putting up a fight.
I’m sorry, but the whole argument seems like sour grapes to me? Personally, I dislike a lot of the goals of a whole variety of interest groups, but I can’t fault them for pursuing their members’ interests in court.
I was going to reply to Rork but you wrote what I would have, essentially
“If they don’t act when they believe the law demands more, then they admit defeat without putting up a fight.
I’m sorry, but the whole argument seems like sour grapes to me? ”
sour grapes indeed
I should have added that I can certainly understand (and share frustration) with the inability to find reasonable compromise. Certainly, HSUS contributes to this by representing one extreme; but they deserve credit here for actually compromising (rather than sticking to the ‘new delisting’ model). The other side, in contrast, doesn’t seem willing to accept compromise.
Sorry should read: “rather than sticking to the ‘no delisting’ model).”
JB,
The HSUS win is like gasoline on a fire. Now the Western states have new and motivated allies in the Midwestern states, to affect change to the ESA in whatever form that might take. And it is already obvious that whatever fix(es) this R Congress may have in store for MN, MI and WI will include at least WY.
So, “sour grapes” or not, and notwithstanding your advices above, I submit still, that the issue is and remains HSUS and the decisions it makes to litigate certain issues which continues to add fuel for those who would drastically change the ESA because of their actions – even in name only. It is the balancing of lost opportunities and consequences of winning too well on principal that create the dilemma. And, for MN continuing in “threatened” status will downlisint MI and WI to “threatened” from “endangered” is no compromise whatsoever. MN gets nothing from this.
I bet Senator Franken (D-MN) has gotten an earful in recent weeks from the MN Farm Bureau which has wolf delisting as one of its 4 current top issues. They represent something like 75,000 farms in the state.
Momentum for ESA changes could go well beyond wolf recovery issues if opened up, and adversely affect hundreds/thousands of other species, because of the focus on what some have termed the “protracted silliness” of wolf recovery litigation.
… WHILE DOWNLISTING MI and WI to “threatened” from “endangered” is no compromise whatsoever. MN gets nothing from this.
“I bet Senator Franken (D-MN) has gotten an earful in recent weeks from the MN Farm Bureau which has wolf delisting as one of its 4 current top issues.”
and therein lies the real issue, it doesn’t matter what the courts, the general public or anyone wants for that matter long as the livestock and trophy industries are pissed off. Its not Congress that is angered about wolves its the lobbyists.
WM:
Come now, the Democrats in the Senate are not going to let the Republicans gut the ESA — they have absolutely nothing to gain from it–and much to lose! They may pass legislation to delist wolves in WY and the Great Lakes, or perhaps nationwide (though this outcome is doubtful), but the Dems might not even let that through (they fear their base as much as the Republicans, and btw, there are not many Ds left in the DFL for Franken to fear). The most likely case is that Republicans (with the help of a few Dems) use another legislative rider to delist wolves in the GLs and WY, in which case the precedent stands.
The irony here is that conservation groups are going to end up getting a huge boost in funding when/if Congress acts, which will only encourage and embolden them (just as it has groups like SFW and RMEF). And so we go ’round and ’round…
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Louise,
A ‘reasonable compromise’ probably includes a “recreational” harvest of wolves, whether it is ethically justified or not. The fools who want blood wield too much political power, and they are not going to accept protected status.
Compromise, of course, entails giving up something you want, which many folks on either side of the issue cannot seem to grasp; then again, keeping wolves in the spotlight appears to be a good strategy to fundraise.
Re: Minnesota…
“…you may be thinking: Huh—70 animals lost in a year (or 107, take your pick), and this is a big honking problem?
Precisely that point was highlighted by Howard Goldman, senior state director in Minnesota for the Animal Humane Society of the U.S. He pointed out that there are 165,000 calves in Minnesota’s wolf range…I find that if Goldman’s calf count is correct, the casualties reported by Stark represent a loss rate of .00039 percent.”
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Can you say “symbolic” issue?
http://www.minnpost.com/earth-journal/2014/01/does-wolf-hunt-reduce-livestock-losses-maybe-not-lawmakers-are-told
And, maybe it is that precedent that gets the DPS issue in focus for a change to the ESA.
I do hope you YOUR assessment of the D’s in the Senate are right. I have my doubts especially in the next round of 1/3 Senatorial elections, and that is the cause for concern.
From that 2014 hearing
“Few poaching cases
Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, was curious about how much effort has been required of the DNR to address wolf poaching — which I suppose could be considered a form of reverse depredation by humans.
His question brought the DNR’s enforcement chief, Maj. Phil Meier, to the microphone, who said there were six cases in 2012, zero in 2013. Titters from the audience ensued.”
Absolute BS, as I have had written and oral communication with two MN DNR officials, one who participates in this hearing, who both said on average 10% of MN wolves illegally killed each year.
JB,
A lot can happen between now and the 2016 Senatorial election. Sadly pundits seem to be pretty much in agreement that of the 16 Senatorial seats that are up (9-R, 7-D), they are leaning toward another 2-4 current D’s going R, while the R’s hold on to the seats they already have. In play seem to be IL, NH, PA and WI.
This is pretty scary for a lot of reasons, unless something changes. And, who knows what either party will roll out on the Presidential ticket.
Maybe Ralph can tell us the last time the House, Senate, White House, and the Supreme Court were all R leaning, and what happens if the stars align for what could begin an even worse nightmare 2 years hence.
Addendum: Sorry, 34 seats are up for election (Class III). Of these 16 are thought to be tough competition to hold on to existing party affiliation.
What is reasonable compromise? killing wolves for trophies? if killing wolves is related to management objective to reduce predation, protect human safety or protect game species, hunting is not a valid activity. It is also downright inhumane given the species familial ties and social structures. I don’t believe HSUS is extremist in any way on the wolf issue, conversely the states have been extremist in seeking public hunts as they ignore their independent scientists, ignore their public and refuse to consider institutional policy changes that make ecological sense. Isn’t it time to reject heavy handed predator policy that encourages more hysteria and intolerance. Isn’t it time wolves and other predators were given more consideration as living, intelligent and feeling beings, with families like our own. Giving deferential treatment to kill predators has to end somehow.
thanks for posting the article JB had not seen that. Symbolic indeed. that is the part making me crazy. Symbolic of ignorance, grandstanding and the kind of destructive posturing that keeps wildlife management in the 19th century when it should be greatly advanced and past all this predator hating crap.
If people would just educate themselves, they’d figure out that they’re the reason for attacks on livestock! I’m from Upper Michigan and the stories I hear are enough to make me cry. God how I pray the politicians use their heads and realize just how much damage they will be doing if they delist these beautiful animals.
I agree with most everything you wrote JB, which was good (thanks also Louise, WM, Immer, for thoughtful writing). I was concerned but not sufficiently knowledgeable (or clairvoyant) about this: Will what we get be worse than what we had before in some ways? Maybe the answer is no, and I’m just overly worried. I’m only slightly worried about what WM was writing about in one comment, that I might summarize as state or voter backlash, but publicity and debate may be working just as well for others – my crystal ball for such stuff is in the trash. But just for example, if congress delists grey wolf everywhere, I will not be blaming HSUS. I will be disappointed, as I am now, that our actual plans are so fuzzy – what wisdom would direct for wolves in lower MI has been on my mind allot lately. (For the unfamiliar the brief summary is: none, now, but we’re expecting.) I could write lots, but not good enough, so that’s enough.
Having worked with/for Wydeven for an entire season in Wisconsin trapping, collaring and monitoring wolves, I have a few comments about him. First, he is not a field biologist, he is a 100% administrator. Second, he is pompous, arrogant and has for decades been obstructionist in carrying out sound research and policy. Him commenting on the Feds or anyone else not acting properly is pathetically ironic. Third, anyone who has ever worked with wolves in Wisconsin knows that Ron Schultz was the most knowledgeable and respected biologist that the DNR employed but Wydeven basically cut Ron off at the knees once he arrived and took over.
MAD,
Did you ever have a chance to work with Richard Thiel? I was lucky enough to have a phone conversation with him back in the mid 80’s when wolves were starting to make a strong comeback in WI. Seemed like a decent guy from what I remember.
Wrong, the group of hunters, trappers, and hounders are the ones that pushed for the wolf hunt based on BS and a complete lack of science, even though they stomped up and down that wolf hunting was based in science. Sen. Tom Casperson lied in providing info for the delisting in 2011, and later apologized on the senator floor claiming that truth matters, accuracy matters. Well, apparently not Sen. Casperson (and I told him as much when testifying in front of his committee).
WM, You seem like a level headed person adding some balance to thewildlifenews. I was trying to see what the original reaction was to the relisting in the great lakes but couldn’t find an article here of all places?? I would think that it would be front and center? But, I may be missing something? Do you think the powers to be are embarrassed by the relisting?
Also, Do you think this attack directly contradicts the articles opening statement?
http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_24181821/dna-test-confirms-id-wolf-that-bit-minn
OFN,
Articles,interviews, and opinions were prolific in regard to GLS relisting.
++Do you think this attack [by a young wolf, underweight with facial deformity]directly contradicts the articles opening statement?++
I don’t. Attacks on humans by wolves anywhere in the US have been incredibly rare. But, hunger in any animal is a powerful motivator. This, according to reports, was a one-off incident by a young wolf whose ability to get prey was compromised. And, for as many wolves as there are in MN, one would think there would be even more “attacks” if it was in their nature. Compare, however, wolves in parts of Eurasia where wolf pack attacks are somewhatcommon on humans and frequent on livestock and pets in some areas, sometimes resulting in severe injury or even death to humans. Is it their respective genetics or learned behavior over time?
Again, hunger is a powerful motivator. Maybe the survivors of the pioneer Donner Party (winter of 1848 caught in the Sierra Nevada mountains on their way to CA) could tell us something about that. Or, maybe even Alfie Packer (CO miner trapped in the mountains in 1873, killed and ate his partners to survive. Convicted of manslaughter).
I believe (but could not find the article) a Minnesota wolf biologist is quoted as saying that it is hard to find a wolf that doesn’t have some kind of battle scars, especially in the older wolves. His interpretation of the wolf in question was that it was once a healthy wolf. Therefore, a healthy wolf that got hurt, got hungry, got habituated and attacked a person. Splitting hairs, but in my opinion the statement is false. That is the very reason habituated wolves are killed (or sent to prison) hurt or not.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/feb1215c/
Here you go
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2014/12/01/do-you-have-some-interesting-wildlife-related-news-dec-1-2014-edition/
http://www.thewildlifenews.com/2014/12/19/do-you-have-some-interesting-wildlife-related-news-dec-19-2014-edition/
Start toward the end of the 12/1 issue. It picks up again in the 12/19 issue.
Links, opinions…
I typically try to avoid those that tell me that I’m not “well read” and need to have things stapled to my ” fn forehead” But, Ich schneide Sie etwas Spielraum fur Ihre Deutsch Kenntnisse .
I am not saying that the discussion didn’t come up on relisting on the generic postings or the one we are on now. I’m saying, plain and simple, there was no article from what I saw on or dedicated to the relisting. Why? Some embarrassment maybe as knowing it is not right or maybe they want the dust to settle because they know there will be a lot of dust?
Evidently you also lack any grace when one tries to be of assistance. I also doubt there was any “embarrassment” in regard to the re-listing. Think for yourself, not others.
Immer, Thank you for your help. I will remember your advice.
“Denken Sie selbst , nicht andere ” die Tierwelt Nachrichten motto
I hope that the Michigan State Mental Hospital has enough room for the politicians above, because they are delusional and Schizophrenic over this issue, and are making claims that are of untrue nature as a mental health patient would. Michigan politicians, you are ignorant,corupt, and full of crap, and are not above the federal laws of Washington.
Just because Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandma, and the 3 little pigs didn’t live in Michigan, doesn’t mean that wolves don’t eat millions of people in this country each year!!!!!!!
Millions? Fairy tale characters? Reeaally….
So facts aren’t really your thing, are they? In the last hundred years there have been only two proven fatal wolf attacks on humans. Two. More people die from elk attacks or lightning strikes than ever will die from wolves.
I have a question that I was wondering if anyone could shed some insight on. I think naturally you should be able to defend your livestock/pets/family/self when in the process of being threatened by any animal acting aggressively. But I’ve become a little suspicious as of late whenever someone mentions needing to cull a population of predators when their prey sources are dwindling. I’d always been under the impression, having grown up watching nature and science docs that the food chain was a bit of a seesaw, and that if a predator becomes too successful it will become the victim of it’s own success and dwindle as it’s prey dwindles, eventually allowing the prey species to rebound.
Is this natural fluctuation not accounted for or allowed to play out in wildlife management today? Does it have something to do with the way wilderness areas are cut off from each-other by modern cities and development? And why not relocate the excess wolves to all the places currently lacking them that are spending money trying to get rid of their excess deer/elk? I’m also wondering who determines when there are too many predators vs too many herbivores, and if it’s based exclusively on ecosystem health or partially on making sure hunters can catch enough deer/elk as well.
The wolf haters love to bring up the dogs that are killed by wolves. An important fact they don’t seem to mention is that most of these dogs killed by wolves are HUNTING dogs. The hunting dogs are invading the wolf’s territory and therefore are killed. Can’t blame the dogs. Gotta blame the irresponsible hound hunters.
Are the taxpayers still paying to replace the dogs? What a racket!!
Sorry guys, gotta bug off for a bit.
The Senator who introduced this bill (Casperson) has already been caught lying and embellishing wolf threats by his own admission (making up a story about wolves at a daycare center – a variation of the school bus stop story), and the farmer (John Koski) who had the most red-flag raising complaints of wolf depredation has been caught lyng, gaming the system and negligent, and charged with animal cruelty for neglecting his state-provided guard animals. He did not removed dead livestock from his property and would not use an electrified fence.
Why anyone even gives this any sort of serious consideration is beyond me.
Lest we forget the events of last year, there are numerous articles in the media. Other articles are in the link below:
How Half-Truths, Falsehoods and One Farmer Distorted Reasons for Wolf Hunt
Yep! Sad, very sad! Totally reprehensible!