Wind Development Threatens Iconic American Birds

Safeguards needed to prevent population declines in the Whooping Crane and Greater Sage-Grouse, and reduce mass mortality among eagles and songbirds

The American Bird Conservancy weighs in on wind farms and their concerns for many rare bird species.

Wind Development Threatens Iconic American Birds.
American Bird Conservancy Press Release

Wyoming elk population is large despite dire predictions in the past

As Freudenthal leaves office, a reminder of reality-

Freudenthal is on to other things. We don’t know what Governor Mead will do, but over a year ago Wyoming outfitters Tory and Meredith Taylor wrote an excellent story for WyoFile on the true state of affairs with wolves and elk in the Cowboy Energy State.

Barstool Mountain Myths: Wolves & Elk Numbers Strong Despite Dire Predictions. By WyoFile on April 6, 2009

Matt Mead replaces Dave Freudenthal as WY governor

Freudenthal should be remembered for his use of anti-wolf hysteria-

There are differences between Democrat Freudenthal and Republican Mead. However, on wolves it will probably be slight.  Freudenthal, however, was a pioneer of sorts in using wild, irresponsible  exaggeration of the impacts of wolves. Five years ago he was claiming that the then much smaller Wyoming wolf population was not only destroying the state’s wildlife, but its very economy.  If his view of things was true, I guess by now the state would be depopulated save for the few stragglers the wolves hadn’t taken down yet.

We haven’t heard much of that from him lately. That’s probably because it was a total fabrication, and the economy later on did decline severely because of real problems at the national and international level — an unfortunate intrusion of reality.

Bonneville Power Administration’s disinformation on salmon recovery

“Salmon success recasts debate,” headline reads. . . an odd way of defining “success”-

BPA’s spin cloaks its role in blocking real salmon recovery. By Ed Chaney. Idaho Statesman

Record floods cover area bigger than Texas in Australia

Incredible flood ends drought. Will have many good and bad effects in long and short run-

The floods stem from an unusually wet La Niña Pacific Ocean Oscillation.

Australia Floods Show No Signs of Retreating. New York Times. By J. David Goodman.
Map: Flooding in Queensland. LA Times

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Surprise! Floods will be beneficial to local wildlife, especially in the longer term. The area has been in long drought.

Long-term benefits to follow floods. By Anthony Gough.   The Courier-Mail.
Floods welcomed with open arms. By Daniel Wills and David Jean.  The Advertiser
However, What Australia’s Floods Mean for the Great Barrier Reef. By Krista Mahr. Time Magazine. The sediment and pollution could harm it.

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In the short run. Warning for crocs and snakes being washed into homes. By rohitsingh. Downloads Edge.
Photo: Kangaroos, Wallabys, dogs drown. All Voices