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Once again wolves are the target of irrational political and media sensationalism. To quote from this recent article: "Despite enactment of federal legislation turning wolf control over to state wildlife management and allowing licensed hunting of the animals, [Idaho Governor Butch] Otter welcomed his new authority to bring law enforcement to bear against any wolf threats to humans or livestock.
The gray wolf of the Northern Rockies is about to become the first creature ever taken off the U.S. endangered species list by act of Congress, rather than by scientific review, under a measure inserted into a sweeping budget bill."
To quote from this bill: "The uncontrolled proliferation of imported wolves on private land has produced a clear and present danger to humans, their pets and livestock, and has altered and hindered historical uses of private and public land, dramatically inhibiting previously safe activities such as walking, picnicking, biking, berry picking, hunting and fishing ... it is the intent of the legislature to regulate the presence of Canadian gray wolves in Idaho in order to safeguard the public, wildlife, economy and private property against additional devastation."
A clear and present danger, safeguarding against additional devastation. Wow, how poetic and what a bunch of lies!
Of course, Governor Otter knows nothing about the biology of wolves nor does representative Lenore Barrett, R-Challis. But this doesn't stop them from making misleading and stupid comments about these amazing animals. Ms. Barrett won't let her grandchildren play outdoors because of the supposed presence of wolves. And, conveniently ignoring the fact that there haven't been any wolf attacks on humans since they were reintroduced to Idaho in 1995, Ms. Barrett claimed: "They're killers, they do it for sport, and then they leave their victim still alive for a lingering death." Ms. Barrett isn't alone in promulgating fear-mongering lies. As I pointed out in an earlier essay on the plight of wolves, politicians, including Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, ignore science, and others who know nothing about the biology of wolves don't hesitate to express stupid and misleading opinions. To wit, Robert Millage, an estate agent in Kamiah, Idaho, brags that he once called in a female wolf using his hunter's call resembling a coyote in distress and then killed her. To quote this brave man, "You don't have a lot of time to think ... She went down in her tracks."
Why ignorant politicians and others have such a large say in how wolves and other animals are treated is baffling especially when their opinions fly in the face of science. Please let your representatives know how you feel about the inhumane treatment of wolves and also that you don't want your taxes to pay for the war on wolves based on sensationalism and stupidity.
P. S. My goodness, what is happening to the animal? Oregon House votes to overturn voters and allow cougar hunting with dogs
