Apparently the worst place for a wolf to live in the world is in the state of Idaho!!! Bounties have been reinstated allowing the killing of wolves if even one sheep is taken by a wolf.
“Wolves kill far less than one percent of Idaho’s 2.8 million cattle and sheep. More sheep are killed by weather, disease, and domestic dogs than by wolves.
Mountain lions are the top predator of Idaho’s elk calves. Fish & Game. Apr 4, 2022″
“Bill 1211 passed through Idaho’s house and senate quickly and landed on Gov. Brad Little’s desk back in May where it was signed into law. Senate Bill 1211 allows anyone with a wolf hunting tag to kill an unlimited number of wolves and gets rid of restrictions on how the wolves can be killed. Oct 4, 2021″
In lieu of this tragic state of affairs, some great organizations are working with ranchers, Shepards, and conservation organizations to find rational ways to have wolves survive in the wild.
Because of robust conservation and management interdiction – “Idaho’s wolf population has remained stable and consistent over the last three years based on camera surveys done last summer and since 2019.
The 2021 population estimate for Aug. 1 was 1,543 wolves.
The 2020 and 2019 estimates were 1,556 and 1,566.Jan 27, 2022″
“Government data confirm that wolves have a negligible effect on U.S. cattle & sheep industries.
“Once numbering in the hundreds of thousands, the 1930s gray wolves (Canis lupus) were eradicated from the western United States because they were considered a threat to cattle and sheep ranching. Decades passed and the wolf faded into history becoming only a character experienced in children’s fairy tales.”
“…As environmental awareness grew, people began to understand the role that wolves filled was beneficial to the western ecosystems. In 1974, wolves gained protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park and Central Idaho in the mid-1990s. The reintroduction has been heralded as one of the most successful restoration of a species in the United States.”
The following is from the International Wildlife Coexistence Network:
“The number of people living in wildlife habitat around the world is increasing. As a result, conflicts with wildlife are also increasing. Often, humans either displace or kill the wildlife that poses a threat to agricultural and other interests. Destroying wildlife and their habitat undermines biodiversity and the resiliency of ecosystems. Often, the actions result in escalating conflicts and ultimately the loss of unique species on the landscape.
But with careful thought and planning, it is possible for both wildlife and humans to coexist. In many places, locals are protecting wildlife and encouraging peaceful new solutions. The number of projects is growing, but many fail due to lack of resources, expertise, and community support. And that’s where the International Wildlife Coexistence Network comes in.
Our greatest challenge – connecting together – is also our greatest resource as through these connections we can build a bridge between practitioners seeking to share their expertise with others seeking nonviolent solutions to these conflicts.”
“Only the mountain
has lived long enough
to listen objectively
to the howl of a wolf.”
Aldo Leopold, 1949
Feature photo by M. Barrett Miller
We All Deserve Better 