Gray wolves have been taken off the threatened & endangered species list. I called this one a long time ago. I knew it would happen no matter how much we fought to stop it. Cattle money speaks loudly out here. I will not rant on this-everyone already knows my passion for wolves. I think it is premature. Attitudes towards wolves may have shifted nationwide to conservation but here in the heartland of the drama, wolves are not wanted. Hate for these great canines is rampant. Ignorance and greed dictate nature out here. 
In 1922, these wolf pups were captured to be killed (by any means necessary-and I have read the detailed reports from back in those days). NPS archives photo.
In 1995, after gray wolves had been exterminated to extinction, gray wolves from Canada were brought in to restore a lost population and a broken ecosystem. NPS archives photo.
Today, wolves have rebounded in numbers and the Yellowstone ecosystem is thriving. (Too bad people's attitudes towards them haven't rebounded.) NPS archives photo: Rose Creek pack.
What is next for wolves? Who knows. My outlook is not optimistic at all. I imagine many will be exterminated as soon as possible. Sadly, up to 1,200 of them can die and still the "minimum allowable limit" will be met. Folks out here apparently will not be happy until the only remaining wildlife is caged.
Another shot through my heart:(
Friday, February 29, 2008
Gray Wolves Delisted
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5 comments:
Hey there.
Thanks for responding both here and on my blog. We've just gone live with the teach-in announcement. See http://bozemanactivist.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/fighting-for-the-buffalo-discussion-and-film-march-26-7-pm-in-bozeman/ .
If you can come, fantastic. If not, if you can help get the word out about it, that would be great, too.
Let's keep in touch.
Thanks,
Jim
Hi Heavenabove;
Thanks so much for the update…..
You mean to tell me that our beautiful gift of gray wolves to our American friends has prospered and so now must be unprotected….. I understand that gray wolves are not endangered around the world but do we really NEED to start killing them? Is it not wonderful to have such a magnificent creature thriving in the wild?
I am wondering if Biblical stewardship of the environment gets any “air time” in Montana Churches. Obviously this is a hard question to answer, but when you speak to Christians that you know of are they more inclined to support good stewardship or are they of the “we can do what we want with the creation” variety? Some Christians almost seem to think it is their duty to destroy nature as part of taking “dominion” over it. Some almost seem to think that driving a huge SUV is more spiritual. Instead of the Biblical model of stewardship which is a guarded cultivation.
Livingsword,I know of one Church here that does promote stewardship of our environment, not just through sermon but through community outreach. I have heard several things pro-environment in sermons at my own Church. One church has a community garden. Other than that there is little pro-evironment concern. I have been trying to think up ways that I could promote environmental stewardship through our congregation, perhaps especially with the kids since they are the future. I will have to talk to the Pastor in-depth.
Amazing how the same Bible can say one thing to some folks and something diffent to others. He does work in mysterious ways.
Hi Heavenabove;
Its great to hear some Churches preaching and actively engaged in good stewardship of the environment, often it is a matter of helping people see past the fact that stewardship Is not just about money, time and talent but about every aspect of our lives. I know some people are concerned that if we emphasize caring for our environment to much it will detract from our core message, yet it is still very important just as how we spend our money for example… We believe in saving our money not just rampant spending, we make wise investments.
One of the challenges is getting more people to actually read and study the Bible. Often people try to impose personal, political or cultural ideas upon Scripture and use it to “make their point” instead of being conformed to it. I would love it is Scripture said “thou shalt not kill red ruffed lemurs” but it doesn’t. However it does tell us how we are to care for such creatures, we are steward-guardians of them. God’s creation is His “advertising” aiming us at Him (there is a Creator) so if we wantonly destroy it we are working against Him. Protecting these animals from cavalier destruction or annihilation is protecting His art, our environment (nice line about “our environment” eh? A nice and wise lady from Montana gifted me with that one).
Yes, nice line all right. Completely true.
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