Of Wolves and Men
by Jim Carrell
I attended the Wolf Disaster Declaration rally at the Idaho state capitol on April 6, 2011. I and several others present resent being labeled (By Fox 12 in their April 6 article “Idaho Wolf Emergency Looming”) as part of an “Anti-Wolf Coalition” or being part of a “rabid crowd” for simply showing up and supporting our belief that wolf numbers need to be managed.
I am not anti-wolf; I am anti-unmanaged-wolves. The animal itself is simply being what it is: an apex (pack) predator. The need for wolf management is supported by clear evidence that shows massive damage to many of the ungulate populations (namely elk, moose, and deer) of ID, MT, WY, MN, WI, and MI. Some prime examples of the damage already done are below (it’s not global warming or habitat loss):
Lolo Zone of Idaho Elk Herd:
* 80% population decline since Canadian wolves were introduced in 1995.
* Average age of the cow elk in this herd: 9 to 10 years old — the age they begin to lose ability to produce calves. Many of the cows that are able to breed are aborting their fetuses due to constant harassment by wolves.
* Calf recruitment: Almost zero. Of the calves that are being born, most will not make it through their first winter before being killed, primarily by wolves.
Northern Yellowstone Elk Herd:
* 75% population decline since Canadian wolves were introduced in 1995.
* Average age of the cow elk in this herd: 9 to 10 years old — the age when they begin to lose ability to produce calves. Many of the cows that are able to breed are aborting their fetuses due to constant harassment by wolves.
* Calf recruitment: Almost zero. Of the calves that are being born, most will not make it through their first winter before being killed, primarily by wolves.
Moose of Yellowstone:
It is my understanding that prior to 1995 over 1,200 moose were in Yellowstone. It is also my understanding that today they number fewer than 100, a 92% population decline.
In short, these elk herds and moose are in danger of being lost forever. Wherever Canadian Gray Wolf numbers remain unchecked in ID, MT, and WY, as well as several Midwestern states, similar ungulate population declines are occurring. The myth that wolves only kill the sick and the weak, or just what they need to survive, has been busted. The statement “…there is no wolf emergency right now,” made by Suzanne Stone, Rocky Mountain Wolf Coordinator for the Defenders of Wildlife, at the rally on April 6, 2011, is unreasonable and conveys a hidden agenda in my opinion. As long as there are people or organizations covering up the damage wolves are doing to other wildlife and the threat they present to humans, there will be people or organizations that will counter them — some louder than others.
More consideration should be given to the people who live in rural areas who are being personally affected by wolves. There is evidence supporting that their way-of-life, economy, and well-being — both physical and psychological — have been dramatically affected by an over-population of wolves. Given these reasons, some are beyond fed-up with the situation, which may be understandable if one were to walk in their shoes. It is simply not the desire of the majority to eradicate wolves. Most of us just want them controlled before their numbers are uncontrollable — and before further damage is done to the ungulate numbers, rural living, ranching, and the use of public lands.
Many other people (who may or may not live in rural areas) who hunt, fish, berry-pick, camp or enjoy viewing all wildlife (not just wolves) have been adversely affected as well. State revenue has certainly been impinged. Almost every hunter both resident and non-resident recognizes the quality of hunting has been severely compromised in areas that have too many wolves.
My personal belief, in light of all the damage that mismanaged, introduced Canadian Gray Wolves have caused, is that we should reduce their numbers to what was originally agreed upon before all of the “goal line” changing occurred in this “Non-Essential” and “Experimental” project (as stated in the terms of the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Project). The Canadian Gray Wolf is nowhere near extinct — there are at least 50,000 in Canada alone (a country that has strict wolf management). Many believe there are over 10,000 in the lower 48 and they reproduce at a rate of 25-30% per year.
Since its beginning, the Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Project has been one deal broken after another. The documentary “Yellowstone is Dead” [here] takes an in-depth look at this and I highly recommend watching it.
Recently, Congress stepped in and delisted wolves in Idaho and Montana. Where this is a step in the right direction, it leaves out several other states like WY, MN, WI, and MI who are also experiencing severe losses because of unmanaged wolves. That is why I support H.R. 509 — a bill that delists the non-endangered wolves completely and in the process secures all states’ equal rights of sovereignty to manage all wildlife within their own borders.
Many of the facts are not being publicized by the mainstream media. This matter is utterly polarized and the media should stop fanning the flames and practice ethical, unbiased journalism.
