Posted on 12/05/2023 1:08:43 PM PST by NohSpinZone
In late 2020, Colorado voters did something relatively unprecedented in the nation’s history by voting to reintroduce wolves to the state. That process, several years in the works now, will involve transplanting wolves from Oregon — and even though the measure was given the goahead three years ago, some opponents of the measure remain skeptical. That in and of itself isn’t too surprising; you’d think that if people changed their mind on how they’d voted, it would likely happen after wolves returned to Colorado, and that hasn’t happened yet.
A recent article at NPR by Kurt Siegler offers a good overview of the issues at stake here — and a reminder of why there was support for the measure to bring back wolves in the state in the first place.
To start with, Colorado has a lot of elk. Nearly twice as much as Montana, Siegler writes. That elk population also played a role in determining which wolves would be imported into the state, as Oregon’s wolves also have a penchant for snacking on elk.
Some advocates for the wolves have argued that, while the state’s population is growing, there’s plenty of room for everyone. “Along the highways we have a lot of development, but if you get in an airplane and you fly over out here, there’s a lot of untouched wilderness,” Pitkin County Commission chair Francie Jacober told NPR.
Part of the debate around wolves also has to do with their elusiveness. “One rancher referred to wolves as really ghostly in their presence,” Wolfish author Erica Berry told InsideHook earlier this year. “That feels like that’s increased the sort of mystery around them, just by the nature of their biology.” We’re about to see that mystery get a bit more clarified in one western state.
(Excerpt) Read more at insidehook.com ...
I used to use a specific pic of me in a cage with two yearling lions 🦁 as an av. The more I think about it, I should be dead several times over for some of the dumb-a$$ sh!t I did in my youth.
Jad a Maine Coon/Persian mix as a pet for 16 years (unusually long lived for that size of cat). He was absolutely my best friend, but if you were a stranger he’d eff you up in a heartbeat for looking at him funny.
The only species reintroduction that made sense was the Bald Eagle into many parts of the U.S. that hadn’t seen them in over a century. They are absolutely amazing, majestic creatures; if you’re ever lucky enough to have one fly nearby you’ll understand.
Funniest thing you have ever seen.
"I wish to be up there but it is too high."
"By all means let me help you my liege. Comfortable? Shall I bring you a blanket? Then I will stand guard below and make sure no one disturbs the royal nap."
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