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.

Christmas In Yellowstone

Photo: An elk grazing right outside Mammoth's Visitor Center last winter.

What's my favorite place like at Christmas time? I can't tell you first hand yet (since I stay with family at this time) but I have some information that will help paint a beautiful picture.

From Casper, Wyoming's Star Tribune:

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK -- Candlelight services at the park's Mammoth Hot Springs Chapel are scheduled twice on Christmas Eve, but worshippers who've been there before know the passing elk and bison sometimes delay the services a bit. The 100-year-old chapel in the country's first national park stands to receive about 600 people Monday evening. "We're in the crown jewels of God's creation," said the Rev. Bill Young, resident minister for the past 25 years. "So we have a very, very special place to celebrate." Typically, many of the worshippers on Christmas Eve are among Mammoth's 300 or so year-round residents. Others travel from the communities of Gardiner and Livingston in Montana, or from Cody, a Wyoming gateway to Yellowstone. Tourists attend the services, as well. All lights in the chapel are turned out and each person receives a candle. All the candles are lit from a single flame, intended to symbolize that Jesus Christ is the light of the world. In its early years, the chapel built in 1913 drew some of the U.S. military personnel that oversaw Yellowstone soon after it was designated a park.

The following is a short excerpt from Nature's Christmas in Yellowstone by Tom Murphy. I have seen it a hundred times or so and never tire of it. It is often of PBS so I recommend it. Don't expect flashy holiday decor and music. Just sit back and enjoy the serenity of a place few people travel to in winter. Tom Murphy has quite a job!

Christmas For The Critters

With all the recent reporting on sad animals stories (the South Korean oil spill, the sickening gorilla slaughter, and killing of elephants for human coffe consumption) it is now time for something good.


Photo: www.bigskymontananet.com

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana is now in the midst of "Christmas for the Critters." The public is invited to donate treats for the wolves and bears. It was reported that all the animals "have been very good this year" and are deserving of special Christmas treats. This is an annual event at the center.

From the newspaper: The Christmas list for the bears include jars of peanut butter, jam, honey, corn oil, and unsalted nuts. The wolves would enjoy hamburger, spices, extracts, and perfumes in their stockings. To ensure the safety of the animals pleases bring only unopened items. 'They've been good for goodness sake!'

(The wolves don't eat the spices and perfumes, they are aroused like a cat on catnip by various scents.) So if anyone is in the area, please take a Christmas treat to these animals. I guess shipping treats would be fine, too. I planned on going but my car is out of commission:( I believe the treats are accepted up until Christmas Day. The Center is even open that day.

Here's a bit about the center:
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center


Photo: JeffThomson.org

Winter Wonderland

Ahhhhhh! Winter is here. Put on some warm clothing and head out to explore!

The photo is Yellowstone's Mammoth Terraces. Last year I believe.

Idaho Fish Pollution Control

The state of Idaho, the nation's largest producer of rainbow trout, has come up with a plan to reduce waterway pollution from farmed fishes. Much of the water pollution is caused by increased phosphorus levels coming from fish "emissions" at the farms. The plan is similar to the nation's current air pollution permitting process. Fish producers will be given permits based on operation size. Just like air permits, these water permits will be transferrable. Basically, there is one overall standard for phosporus levels but specific fish growers may still be able to pollute above the standard because of the tranfers. I'm just glad there is finally a maximum allowable level. It is a start.

EPA Targets Fish Farms With Permits

Photo: Rainbow trout from NPS archives

Thanksgiving Day Is Here

Be thankful for all the world's animals.


Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. Millions of turkeys will be the main dish for feasts across the nation. I don't advocate eating turkeys one bit but I do encourage learning about them, especially Heritage turkeys (those that are native to the U. S.). I watched a story about the following turkey ranch and found it very interesting. There's lots of information about these beautiful birds and what makes them Hertiage breeds. There's even a turkey film and webcam.

Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch

Give the turkeys a break this year, eat something else-preferably no meat.

(photo: http://www.slowfoodusa.org/ark/narragansett.html)

San Franscisco Bay Wildlife In Danger

Yet another tanker spill has leaked toxic substances into our oceans:

Spill closes bay beaches as oil spreads, kills wildlife


(Photo: CBS News)

Response to this incident at the time of occurance was reported to be "slower than usual." Can't say I am surprised. Anyway, more sea creatures are being harmed and killed, as are birds and other animals on the beaches of this area.

It would be nice to have enough money to be able to travel to places like this in times when volunteers are needed to help clean up the wildlife. Much thanks to those that can help.

On The Bear Front

Another hunter was mauled by a grizzly last week. "They" are saying that bears are more aggressive this year than years past. My thoughts are still on worrying about the plight of these bears after their recent delisting. The bears are not acting any more agressively than they have before; they are just being encountered more frequently as habitat dwindles. Of course a bear will react to danger.

Now Ponder This:

Last week I was lucky enough to listen to a vegetarian, actually a vegan, speaker defend the practice through the Bible! The argument is very compelling and puts a twist in our current ways of thinking. Now, don't ask me to repeat the arguements because I am not good at that type of thing and not as well versed as I would like to be in Bible verses. However, I will find out if there are published works from this professional. If so, I will pass that information along.

Don't Be A Grinch!

This is something near and dear to me that is not about wildlife. I contibute a box to this project every year. Operation Christmas Child (through Samaritan's Purse) delivers shoe boxes filled with Christmas surprises to boys and girls in poverty stricken nations. The shoe boxes or same size plastic containers can be wrapped, lid seperately, in holiday paper. You can also pick gifts for a child of a particular age, just write a note on the box. I'm not sure how countries other than the U. S. get them all together but here certain churches are the drop-off point. The boxes are collected this year from November 12-19. Or the boxes can be sent to:

Samaritan's Purse International Relief (click for website)
P. O. Box 3000
Boone, NC 28607
Phone: 1-800-665-2483

So, all of you people out there that can spare a few dollars this holiday season, please stuff a box full of goodies for a great kid and get it sent out soon! God bless.

Just Slithering Around & Awards

This snake (probably a Western Terrestrial Garter Snake) has made a home in a pile of leaves under my bicycle. One day, it was resting on the patio and I didn't see it and nearly crushed it as I walked by. What a relief when I didn't. You probably never saw someone so excited to discover a snake living on their patio! Well, that's all I've been up to lately-slithering around in my busy world.


Sad to say there is hunting news I was going to report on but I have been so busy I forgot what the news was.

And now, on to the awards...

I have been tagged with 2 more neat and interesting awards through Livingsword. Both awards are to be passed on to notable other bloggers.


I will pass the above award on to the following bloggers:
Victorya
Waitress4Life
Louise

This second award I may be unable to accept. Lately, I have been quite preoccupied with the daily grind and have had little chance to connect with others the way I once used to. I do miss everyone and hope all is well.


I pass this one along to:
Louise
Amel

A while ago my post "And The Heavens Cried" was tagged for excellence by Livingsword. I am humbled and surprised by the award for this post. I do think it clearly shows my feelings about wildlife. It is me; it shows rawly the stuff I think about every day and feel deep within my soul.

I would like to pass this awesome award on the the following:

Victorya (Certainly a talented writer! Check out her other posts so see her amazing way with words.)
Angela May (Angela is very creative. This post made me laugh soooo hard and brightened may day.)
Skyblu (Always great thoughts well written about my favorite place. This is not saying that I hold or do not hold the same opinions, I just enjoy this blog and it makes me think.)

Calming Canines

Watching big animals such as bears, bison, and wolves is always a treat. Sometimes we forget about taking the time to enjoy smaller, less "glamorous" animals such as coyotes. Watching theses coyotes was calming experience that particular sunny autumn day. The coyote above was pouncing about in the field looking for a snack. The coyote below was contently walking down the middle of the road until too many cars piled up. Then it went up a steep, rocky hill wher it waited for the traffic to disperse.


These are Yellowstone coyotes (big surprise?). I also had the priviledge of seeing 2 wolves from the Oxbow Pack. They are looking a bit fluffy and ready for the colder weather. Wolves are my favorite, but for some reason that day, the coyotes had my heart. They were just a pleasure to watch and think about.

Sure would be great to have telepathy to communicate with animals. Maybe Dr. Spock can help me.

More coyote information:
Desert USA's Coyote Page

More Grizzly-Hunter Encounters

Today's newspaper had "Grizzly bear mauls hunter" in huge type slapped across the top of a page-AGAIN! 2 different incidents were reported. Both parties were sneaking around bow-hunting for elk, both came across grizzly sows with cubs, both were in the Greater Yellowstone area like the below mentioned bears were.

Plenty of other places they can hunt elk with less chance of being attacked by bears. But then again, it is easier for hunters to go right outside the Park where they know the most elk are so they don't have to spend too much time outside weathering the elements in a real hunt. Like catching fish in a barrel. Why not outlaw hunting in areas with the greatest chance of bear encounters for the safely of all? Too much common sense I guess. When is enough really enough?

As I have stated before, I fear that this negative publicity will lead to a premature hunting season on the recently de-listed Yellowstone grizzlies.

And The Heavens Cried

Bad news today. A while ago, I mentioned a grizzly mom and her cubs that ended up missing after a very unpleasant encounter with a hunter near Gardiner, Montana. Finally, the bears have been located. The mother is dead. Her jaw was shot off by the hunter. The 2 orphaned cubs were still roaming around near their dead mother.


First, I thought what a terrible story for both the man and the bears. Later I thought,"Have I gone soft on my anti-hunting views or what? Wake up!"

This hunter was out sneaking around the woods in bear country. Out to kill unsuspecting black bears when he rudely disturbed the grizzly family preparing for winter. Every hunter that I have ever "talked" to about black bear hunting said they do it for fun and sport, not for meat because it is not a good tasting meat at all. He is lucky to be alive. Perhaps he will even brag it up to his hunting buddies about killing the griz mom. "In self defense" my a**. The guy was somewhere he shouldn't be in the first place for no reason other than "sporting fun". The bear tried her best to protect her family from this hunter. She did not try to stalk and intentionally kill him like he was doing to black bears.

So, the sneaking hunter with death on his mind gets mauled in defense. The hunter shoots the bear. The man goes to the hospital and gets patched up, gets to live on a diet of painkillers as he heals up. Warm and comfy in his bed. People feel sorry for him. The attention gives a negative, more fearsome image to bears everywhere. The bear wanders off. Shot and in great pain. Can't eat with a shot off jaw. She must have been starving to death. Can't help her cubs get food either. They are probably a lot hungrier than when mom was doing well. The trail of blood from the bear probably arouses other hungry animals waiting for a chance to get the weakened bear or her cubs, or both. The mom bear finally dies-starving and in pain, knowing her cubs are suffering. A few people like myself mourn the bear's loss and worry about the cubs. The stupidity of sport hunting is truly sickening. I think God cried.

Now the 2 orphaned cubs are left alone in a harsh world with no protection. Bigger grizzlies are awfully hungry this time if year. Will the cubs find a den and enough food for winter? Not to mention the mental stress on the cubs. Animals do feel grief; many documented incidents show this (not that I need to read them to know that but for the skeptics...). I do believe they are cubs-of-the-year (meaning born this year). Say a prayer for this prematurely broken grizzly family.

Good-bye mamma bear; see you on the other side one day.

(Photo: NPS archives 1966, not the newly orphaned cubs)

Great Wolf News!!!

The NRDC's wolf commerial is currently on the air! It will remain on CNN for another week. Thanks to wolf supporters everywhere that sent in to fund this commercial. Also, thanks to those that didn't send money, but support wolves however they are able to. I jumped for joy when I heard this. I whooped and hollered too! Party time is here. Finally, we get our side heard nationally & internationally at this crucial time.

Will it help? I don't know. Money always talks loudest it seems. But I am celebrating the fact that the wolf issue finally gets mass coverage! Media coverage on any environmental issue is critical, in my opinion.

Gray Wolves Need Help NOW!

The removal of the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List is moving fast. This is a mostly seperate issue from the Alsakan wovles. The problem is that Wyoming and Idaho intend to immediately kill most of the wolves as soon as they are removed from the list. This Natural Resources Defence Council's recent wolf news letter gives the numbers of wolves each state plans to massacre. What's the point of removing these animals from the list if they are going to be back on shortly after they're taken off it?

NRDC Wolf News

Also, remember that our Vice President Cheney is from Wyoming. I think no matter how many people protest, the plan will go through anyway.

NRDC is also planning to run a national commmercial to educate people on this issue and help stop these state's horrendous plans from becoming a reality. I do not care to ask for donations, but I feel this commercial will have widespread effect and is worth it. And the timing is urgent. Click the NRDC link below and choose the wolf's picture labeled "Call Off the Guns".

NRDC Website

The best thing anyone can do now (and I mean NOW)is send letters and sign petitions-and it is free. Send them to the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Ed Bangs is the top wolf guy with them. This man has a hard job but we need to let him know what we think before it is too late and the bodies of dead wolves are piled up all over again.

National News May Add To Bear Troubles

Well, our bears made it to the national morning news shows this morning. Good Morning America or the Today Show. Maybe both. Quote: "The bears are wandering into places they don't belong." I laughed loudly at that statement but underneath I was quite irritated and disgusted. What a fantastic way to compound fears into the public. And how misinformed the public is about the nature and history of bears. I feel I have no choice but to write a compelling arguement to U. S. Fish, Wildlife, & Parks bear management experts and to leeader of these "bear ridden" towns to propose some changes to current bear management practices. Obviously, what we are doing now is not working. It is time comsuming and expensive to tranquilize and transport or euthanize bears every time they roam into "human" terrritory. It is traumatic to bears and to humans who have encounters with the bears. The money may be better spent elsewhere. I have certain things in mind but I will not discuss them at this time. I need to get my head straight and get it all down on paper in a professional manner.

Up A Tree With A Small Solution

Of all the bears in Kalispell lately, only 2 of them came into town attracted by grease spills (the food kind, not the auto kind). The rest of the "problem" bears were attracted to plum and apple trees in peoples' yards. After becoming awarw of this information, I though, "This problem can be addressed differently now to sharply limit these incidences." What I propose is to pass a city ordinance forbidding the planting of fruit trees within the city limits (or wherever necessary). Of course, this will not be well accepted because people want to do what they want to do, and they do enjoy a fruit tree in the yard, but it has the potential to decrease human/bear interactions especially when bears are hungriest and roaming more in search of food.

Alaska's Wolf Massacre Must End!

© Defenders of Wildlife

PLEASE HELP THESE WOLVES:

DEFENDER'S ALASKAN WOLVES INFORMATION & ACTION LINK

Then scroll down below the map to read about more bear happenings.

Even More Bear Woes!

Here's another post about bears. Getting sick of hearing about them? Well, I am tired of being bombarded with news of "problem" bears causing problems for people. Today I came home in time to watch the news. Kalispell, Montana has bear problems. One black bear was shot dead because it was in a yard and trying to get in the house for food. The life of one old grizzly is now at stake because it has been going around doing the same thing. DNA was used on fur samples to incriminate this old guy. No doubt about it, he will be dead when they find him. 10 more grizzlies are being relocated for being "troublesome". Take a good look at the map. Where is Kalispell located? Far from bear country? No, right in the middle of it-surrounded by 3 national forests, a Native Reservation, and Glacier National Park! Indeed, these bears are trying to adapt to human encroachment on their natural turf. They are trying to get whatever food is easily available-who wouldn't?

Somewhere, somehow, someway, somebody (of power and influence or the weaker masses banded together) must do something! Surely I am not the only one that sees the large picture of what is happening to these bears (also many other animals). What I am talking about is a complete overhaul on the way these so-called "problem" animals are looked at in the first place. The problem animals are us. We are the only animals that have the power to change the world for ourselves and all other species. We are moving more and more into the only homes animals have left then we claim it as our own but we don't want to deal with the problems we have created. Then animals die. Animals are being mismanaged to death at the whims of our society that refuses to take responsiblity for the whole mess we are soley responsible for. I am sick of it. (If ever I wanted to post curse words, this is it!)

Yes, I do toss and turn in bed at night thinking about this kind of stuff. And yes, tears do come to my eyes when I see little or no hope for these situations. I've said it before and I will say it again-shame on us! I believe God is not happy with what we are doing to this Earth.

Recent Bear Attacks

Photo: Note how I am far away from these mom & cub grizzly bears!

Within the last couple of weeks, 2 or 3 hunters have been attacked by grizzly moms with cubs. After being attacked, one hunter shot at a griz mom in self-defense. The bear and cubs took off and have not been located since. The hunter is not sure if the bear was hit so it may be running around wounded, dead, or hopefully doing fine.

The worst thing I could imagine is getting mauled by a grizzly. I have a huge fear of it myself. However,when you are out in bear habitat in the fall bears will be out preparing for winter. Not a good time to disturb them. And certainly a worse time to disturb a mom with cubs. For the safety of bears and humans maybe hunting season should be scheduled at a different time. Of course, I prefer never but that is unrealistic. A wounded bear may not be able to survive the winter. A dead bear with cubs left behind is just as bad. A wounded bear with cubs makes it harder for the whole family's survival. Accidents will always happen, but sneaking around the woods when bears are very active just heightens the chances of an attack. This is as bad on the bears as it is on the person. If a bear feels threatened it will attack-no maybe about it. If a bear smells an elk carcass left by a hunter, it will be attracted to it for a good meal. That's just what bears do. Even hikers need to be more aware and respect bears natural instincts at this time.

What really worries me is that all this publicity about bears attacking will put even more bear fears into people. The Yellowstone grizzly population had been removed from the Threatened and Endangered Species List this past spring. Perhaps with all these tales of bear attacks lately, there will be great pressure to permit a hunt on these great animals earlier than planned. From my understanding, it is still supposed to be a few years before grizzly hunting becomes an issue but trigger-happy hunters will be itching to get rid of these "problem" bears now.

Good News For Southwestern Wolves

(Mexican Wolf photo: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service National Image Library)

Indeed, the following is great news!

As reported by Defenders of Wildlife:

On June 26, 2007, The U.S. House of Representatives rejected an amendment to the Interior Department's spending bill that would have ended funding for southwest wolf recovery efforts. The proposal was defeated on a vote of 258-172.

In just over 24 hours, more than 31,000 wildlife supporters wrote their U.S. Representatives in support of federal efforts to save the 59 remaining southwest wolves and ensure this amazing animal's future in the Southwest, urging their Members of Congress to reject the amendment offered by New Mexico Representative Steve Pearce.

A big thanks to all who wrote in to support these animals.