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Posted on 10/02/2003 9:34:20 PM PDT by chance33_98
Wolf Kill Has Ranchers Demanding Re-introduced Wolves Removed
By Jon Hanian
Burgdorf, ID -
The aftermath of a wolf pack attack that occurred last month north of McCall near Burgdorf has left 55 sheep dead and more than dozen maimed. The attacked, which has been confirmed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has also galvanized groups opposed to the federal government's efforts to re-establish grey wolves in the state. Ron Gillett heads up the Anti Wolf Coalition of Central Idaho. Gillett says a band of 100 sheep were attacked on September 18th by that wolf pack. "Where they had been run up through the downed timber, by 7 wolves, mutilated, (in a) sport binge killing."
Only four of the dead animals appear to have been eaten. The man in charge of predators in Idaho for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Carter Niemeyer says this incident, while unique, is not uncommon. "It is unusual this year because we have had an excellent year as far as depredations. Wolves in Idaho have killed a handful of calves and almost no sheep until this single pack killed this large number of sheep."
Niemeyer says fact is wolves kill fewer sheep than coyotes, bears cougars, foxes, even dogs. But Gillett says the Feds and the environmentalists are wrong. "We want the wolves out." Groups like Defenders of Wildlife believe that is highly unlikely given that a court challenge to the re-introduction of Wolves failed three years ago.
Suzanne Stone, the northwest field representative for Defenders of Wildlife, believes wolves are in Idaho to stay. She also believes the animals have been unfairly singled out. "A lot of people still believe there is a big bad wolf. They are really just another critter, they are not any more dangerous than bears or coyotes or lions."
While many people in Idaho believe that analysis, many others do not. It is as fierce a debate as you will find in the west and fueled by images like those found last month near Burgdorf, one not likely to go away any time soon.
OHHHH, in that case, nothing to worry about.
So I say let us just feed them to the wolves :-)
People are preditors, too.
Perhaps the introduction of Section 8 housing into her neighborhood would help Ms. Stone to more fully grasp the ramifications of what she advocates.
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