Idaho Wolf Emergency Looming
Posted: Apr 06, 2011Boise, Idaho -- With the state's wolf population expanding, and no clear way to control it, Idaho's anti-wolf groups are sending a clear message to lawmakers.
"The only way you can manage Canadian wolves in Idaho is to get rid of 'em!" said Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition leader Ron Gillette.
Gillette, who addressed supporters on the statehouse steps, held an impromptu, hour-long rally to support an emergency wolf control measure currently passing through Idaho's legislature.
If successful, the new bill would allow Gov. Butch Otter to suspend state rules and declare a "Wolf Emergency" not unlike a flood or forest fire emergency, then direct the State Office of Species Control to eliminate problem wolves that are threatening -- or could threaten -- Idaho pets, livestock, and people.
The bill was introduced last week and cleared an important senate committee today.
"There is no wolf emergency right now, in fact, no one has ever been injured by wolves in the state of Idaho," argues Suzanne Stone, Rocky Mountain Wolf Coordinator for the Defenders of Wildlife.
Stone was in attendance for the wolf rally, but spoke to Fox 12 out of sight from the wolf demonstrators out of concern for retribution.
"What I'm hearing right now is stuff that is not supported by science, and is about fear-mongering, and little red riding hood theatrics," Stone said.
Other members of the audience held less sympathetic and more outright damning views of wolf activity in Idaho.
Karen Kalistelio spoke to the rabid crowd, declaring that she barely escaped with her life after being cornered by a savage pack of wolves just a few months ago near Coeur d'Alane.
"I had resigned myself to that I was going to be eaten -- and to the point where I just turned to praying that it would go fast," Kalistelio explained, revealing that a neighbor eventually rescued her.
"It's just a matter of time before they get to a person," Kalistelio said.
USDA wolf experts say Idaho's wolf population will likely keep expanding, and conflicts with people, livestock, and pets will increase, unless the animals are managed.
"I think it's a biological fact that unless you control some wolves they're going to continue to expand," said Todd Grimm, USDA Western District Supervisor.
Grimm went on to say that he couldn't scientifically pinpoint what constituted a "wolf emergency" --but did explain that about 700 livestock animals are eaten annually by the four-legged creatures in our state, and that the United States Federal Government spends around $500,000 per year to investigate wolf complaints in Idaho.
"There's misinformation on both sides," Grimm said.
And that's the issue, since a federal lawsuit is blocking Idaho's ability to manage wolves -- Grimm says state players are now taking pretty much any route they can to make wolf management legal through any means possible -- including declaring 'emergencies.'
As to whether there is a real emergency out there, only senate lawmakers will be able to decide that -- and they'll have to do it by Friday when Idaho's legislative session is expected to close.
Source
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CANYON CITY – With wolves on the way, Long Creek rancher Sharon Livingston last week urged the County Court to find a way to boost predator control in the county.
“Something has to be done,” she said. “We need Wildlife Services here.”
Livingston said ranchers already face serious predation threats from cougars and coyotes, and now a federal trapper has documented tracks of a male adult wolf crossing into northern Grant County at the area known as the Texas Bar. She said other tracks indicate that a pair of wolves crossed her land, heading west.
“I have real concerns about not having Wildlife Services here in the county,” she said.
Livingston made her pitch despite reservations about the way the Portland-based USDA Wildlife Services office operates now. She said she’s told area director Dave Williams that he’s “the epitome of a federal bureaucrat,” accusing him of spending too much time on his office and not “on the ground.”
She said her research indicates the office has five people in Portland and three district officials, at a cost of some $750,000. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department both contribute state dollars to the program, so it should be more accountable, she said.
Livingston asked the Court to push for change. State officials, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and other interested stakeholders are meeting April 18 in Salem to discuss their concerns.
Livingston also asked the Court to consider allocating money to make a government trapper available locally.
“Is there a way we can afford to be in this program?” she asked.
She said the time to act is now, before wolves are established and add to the cost facing ranchers and the rural economies.
“The question is, how to get this program back together so it’s available when the wolves are really here and doing the damage,” she said.
Livingston prefaced her plea by reading an excerpt from the Oregon Blue Book Almanac, describing the threat of wolves in the Willamette Valley as the impetus for forming a state government.
“We’ve regressed,” she said of the current situation.
Source
"The only way you can manage Canadian wolves in Idaho is to get rid of 'em!" said Idaho Anti-Wolf Coalition leader Ron Gillette.
Gillette, who addressed supporters on the statehouse steps, held an impromptu, hour-long rally to support an emergency wolf control measure currently passing through Idaho's legislature.
If successful, the new bill would allow Gov. Butch Otter to suspend state rules and declare a "Wolf Emergency" not unlike a flood or forest fire emergency, then direct the State Office of Species Control to eliminate problem wolves that are threatening -- or could threaten -- Idaho pets, livestock, and people.
The bill was introduced last week and cleared an important senate committee today.
"There is no wolf emergency right now, in fact, no one has ever been injured by wolves in the state of Idaho," argues Suzanne Stone, Rocky Mountain Wolf Coordinator for the Defenders of Wildlife.
Stone was in attendance for the wolf rally, but spoke to Fox 12 out of sight from the wolf demonstrators out of concern for retribution.
"What I'm hearing right now is stuff that is not supported by science, and is about fear-mongering, and little red riding hood theatrics," Stone said.
Other members of the audience held less sympathetic and more outright damning views of wolf activity in Idaho.
Karen Kalistelio spoke to the rabid crowd, declaring that she barely escaped with her life after being cornered by a savage pack of wolves just a few months ago near Coeur d'Alane.
"I had resigned myself to that I was going to be eaten -- and to the point where I just turned to praying that it would go fast," Kalistelio explained, revealing that a neighbor eventually rescued her.
"It's just a matter of time before they get to a person," Kalistelio said.
USDA wolf experts say Idaho's wolf population will likely keep expanding, and conflicts with people, livestock, and pets will increase, unless the animals are managed.
"I think it's a biological fact that unless you control some wolves they're going to continue to expand," said Todd Grimm, USDA Western District Supervisor.
Grimm went on to say that he couldn't scientifically pinpoint what constituted a "wolf emergency" --but did explain that about 700 livestock animals are eaten annually by the four-legged creatures in our state, and that the United States Federal Government spends around $500,000 per year to investigate wolf complaints in Idaho.
"There's misinformation on both sides," Grimm said.
And that's the issue, since a federal lawsuit is blocking Idaho's ability to manage wolves -- Grimm says state players are now taking pretty much any route they can to make wolf management legal through any means possible -- including declaring 'emergencies.'
As to whether there is a real emergency out there, only senate lawmakers will be able to decide that -- and they'll have to do it by Friday when Idaho's legislative session is expected to close.
Source
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Wolves draw focus in Salem, county
Local rancher urges county to step up predator control
Posted: Wednesday, April 6, 2011
“Something has to be done,” she said. “We need Wildlife Services here.”
“I have real concerns about not having Wildlife Services here in the county,” she said.
Livingston made her pitch despite reservations about the way the Portland-based USDA Wildlife Services office operates now. She said she’s told area director Dave Williams that he’s “the epitome of a federal bureaucrat,” accusing him of spending too much time on his office and not “on the ground.”
She said her research indicates the office has five people in Portland and three district officials, at a cost of some $750,000. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department both contribute state dollars to the program, so it should be more accountable, she said.
Livingston asked the Court to push for change. State officials, the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and other interested stakeholders are meeting April 18 in Salem to discuss their concerns.
Livingston also asked the Court to consider allocating money to make a government trapper available locally.
“Is there a way we can afford to be in this program?” she asked.
She said the time to act is now, before wolves are established and add to the cost facing ranchers and the rural economies.
“The question is, how to get this program back together so it’s available when the wolves are really here and doing the damage,” she said.
Livingston prefaced her plea by reading an excerpt from the Oregon Blue Book Almanac, describing the threat of wolves in the Willamette Valley as the impetus for forming a state government.
“We’ve regressed,” she said of the current situation.
Source
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