Deal [with Wyoming] removes obstacle to wolf delisting

I’m not sure what it means, but if it actually means wolves will be protected only in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks, and adjoining Wilderness areas. This really means wolves will be protected ONLY inside Yellowstone Park, and then only as long as they don’t step outside unless it is into a designated Wilderness. No packs live full time inside Grand Teton. In addition, Not a single wolf pack has its territory totally inside a Wyoming Wilderness area, much less those Wilderness areas adjacent to Yellowstone. Therefore, even Mollies Pack, the Bechler Pack, and even the Druids might be subject to being shot for fun because they sometimes leave the Park, and they leave in areas where a wilderness does not adjoin.

On the upside, this “deal” probably makes the delisting to contrary to law and the regulations that following, included changes in them that were procedural violations, that a federal judge has an increased change of slapping this down.

Story in the Idaho Statesman by Rocky Barker on the Deal.

Here is a link to a pdf map of the Greater Yellowstone wolf packs. Do you see a pack that lives entirely inside a designated wilderness area? Do you think that a judge will notice that there is no safe spot for wolves in Wyoming outside Yellowstone Park?

Update (May 27): Here’s a report on the latest view from Wyoming’s agricultural political elite.  State eyes ‘ultimate’ predator. By Whitney Royster and Jeff Gearino. Casper Star Tribune.

The number of wolves in Wyoming outside Yellowstone National Park jumped by 31 percent in 2006, going from 134 to 175. With that increase, 123 cattle were reportedly killed by wolves, more than has ever been recorded in Wyoming since wolf reintroduction. In response, 44 wolves were killed, which is also a record for that time period

All the “ultimate predator” could do was kill 123 cattle?

This is unsaid, most of “the cattle” were calves and almost all reimbursed. Recall that in recent weeks too, the supposed decimation of Wyoming wildlife has suddenly turned into a big surplus of elk. As a  result the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission wants to increase the take by human hunters.

Buffalo Field Campaign reports on more obnoxious bison hazing.

Instead of going along with this, hopefully the next Administration will charge Montana DOL with a criminal offense when they invade Yellowstone Park this way. They should be charged with the felony, not the BFC volunteers. The DOL thugs should remember the way Congress changed in 2006. There will be a new President in 2008.

Here is the latest from BFC.

Buffalo Field Campaign
Yellowstone Bison
Update From the Field

May 24, 2007

View BFC Video Footage:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org

Make a Secure Online Donation to BFC:
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/bisonmerchandise/bisonmerchandise.html

Why are they killing the last wild buffalo?
http://www.buffalofieldcampaign.org/issueinbrief.html

Receive BFC’s updates or press releases.
Send your email address to bfc-media@wildrockies.org with “sub updates” or “sub press release” in the subject line.

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In this issue:

* Update from the Field
* Buffalo in the News
* Photo of the Week & Slide Show!
* Honor Father’s Human & Wild
* Flyer & Invitation: BFC 10 Year Anniversary & Family Reunion
* Last Words

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* Update from the Field

Dear Buffalo Friends,

Wild buffalo are amazingly resilient creatures. In the face of harassment and death, they continue to demonstrate that Nature has no borders and that the livestock industry is not the owner of the land; this land is the buffalo’s land. After centuries of abuse and slaughter by the government and livestock interests (is there even a difference?), wild buffalo are still here and still walking the land the cattle industry tries to shut them out of.

This week the DOL’s helicopter has been flying all over our public lands, circling low, trying to scare buffalo out of the woods so the government cowboys can herd them with their horses deep into Yellowstone. This week, FWP fish biologists helped from a boat, after agents hazed the buffalo into Hebgen Reservoir. The hazing is happening again today as I write. Buffalo moms and babies, yearlings, aunts, big brothers and sisters – the whole buffalo family – are being shoved around, pushed out of Montana. The helicopter again got permission from Yellowstone National Park to fly into the Park. It’s terribly difficult for the buffalo, but even more so for the brand new babies who’s little legs are strong enough for moments of rambunctious play with other calves, but not for being hazed nearly 10 miles in fear, without rest or the ability to nurse. As we’ve seen before, these cruel operations can spell their doom. It’s hard to imagine how the buffalo moms must feel, trying to shelter their calves while fleeing from hounding horsemen and helicopter. But buffalo are strong survivors. One day they will be free to roam – the cattlemen will have to go home and tend to their livestock.

Nature writer/photographer recovering in hospital after Hayden Valley grizzly with cub mauled him

Close encounters. By Brodie Farquhar. Caspter Star Tribune.

The man, Jim Cole, has been mauled before; and was later charged but found not guilty of approaching a grizzly too closely.

Update (May 27): Friend: Man mauled by grizzly had no time for pepper spray. AP.

post 1146

On the recovery of the Black-footed Ferret

This was posted at Carnivore Conservation blog. It links to the latest data (in papers). It is from a 2004 symposium, which was badly needly because the publicly available information was a decade old.

About the recovery of the Black-footed Ferret. (corrected link)

Like the wolf, the ferret’s endangered status is the result of the livestock industry which hates prairie dogs, the sole prey of the ferret. They don’t like the fact that the prairie dogs “steal” a little grass and make holes their slow-witted cows stumble on.