2008: Year Of The Wolf?

Some good and bad happening in the wolf realm. The good part is so excitingly fun that I will mention the bad news first.

Still seems to me, and many others, that Wyoming is hell bent on making sure the wolf population gets back down to the minimum allowable limit. The state's "new" wolf plans still wreak of hatred. Sad to say that the Feds have now endorsed the state's plan.

Billings Gazette: Draft regulations proposed by the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish would allow ranchers to kill gray wolves that prey on livestock, while wildlife managers could kill wolves that try to take elk on state feed grounds.

The proposed regulations would apply only to the northwest corner of the state, where wolves would be considered trophy game animals under the state's management plan. In the rest of the state, wolves would be classified as predators that could be shot on sight.

(Note: I only copied the dumbest part of the plan. For clarity, the "northwestern corner" refers basically to the area right around Yellowstone's boundaries.) I had no doubt in my mind that wolves would be delisted but this state's crappy management plan should not be endorsed. The most assine part is that wolves can be killed for eating elk on state land! Let's see... they can't eat sheep, cattle or elk, and the only buffalo are trapped within Yellowstone Park. What the heck are they supposed to survive on? Maybe they can learn to graze like cattle or stop by the grocery store for a steak. Clearly, the state of Wyoming will not be happy until another wolf massacre happens. The required "public input" soon to come to really doesn't affect matters much once Feds have their minds made up. Shame on us once again.

Another sad story to report: A coyote in the Old Faithful area was put to death right before Christmas. It had nipped 2 people within about 20 minutes and it was taken to an area "where it could be safely shot with a handgun." The people are fine. The coyote tested negative for rabies. It probably was fed up with humans and finally fought back. Who knows what the animal was thinking. Anyway, my thoughts are with the coyote.

Don't sound like a good start to a new year for wild canids.

Now Time For A Little Wolf Fun:

Ever get a little bored of being a human? Why not become a Yellowstone wolf for a while! The Minnesota Zoo came up with a game in 2007 titled Wolf Quest where players can do just that. It is available for FREE download. It was intended for young guys 10-15 years old or so but any wolf lover will enjoy it-trust me. You can play by yourself or you can go online and be part of a pack. As you can imagine, this game is highly recommended by Wildlife Alive!

Wolf Quest: Amythest Mountain

Oh yeah, I also recommend taking a "sick" day off of work just to play it and then watch PBS wolf documentaries while snuggled up wearing wolfie pajamas and covered up in a cozy wolf-scened throw (unless you live in a hot part of the world). Then after you're inspired, write or call Wyoming and U.S. Wildlife officials to oppose Wyoming's horrendous wolf plans.