Letters Sent & Replies
Writing letters to political leaders (and media outlets) are an easy, effective advocacy tool by which a group of constituents can voice their opinions about certain issues that are important to them. The letters may be directed toward the prime minister, a member of the Legislative Assembly, or a particular government agency. Knowing that re-election depends on the votes of their constituents, political leaders pay close attention to the mail they receive.
On this page, we have compiled some letters that individuals have written to various leaders about their wolf concerns, along with some of the responses back. If you would like to share your letters and/or responses also, please feel free to contact us HERE. Thank you!
On this page, we have compiled some letters that individuals have written to various leaders about their wolf concerns, along with some of the responses back. If you would like to share your letters and/or responses also, please feel free to contact us HERE. Thank you!
Letter to the British Columbia Premier John Horgan
GoA response letter to one of our board members letters:
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A terrific letter to the editor by one of our wolf supporters and volunteers (name omitted for privacy):
A fantastic letter to Premier Notley and Environment and Parks Minister Shannon Phillips from one of the WM team
THE REPLY BACK TO THIS LETTER:
Response letter from Environment Minister Shannon Philips
Letter to the Editor from retired Problem Wildlife Specialist for the province of Alberta
May 10, 2015
Dear Editor,
As a retired Problem Wildlife Specialist with the Provincial Government, I feel it is my responsibility to warn Albertans of a potentially deadly hazard in the West Country this spring which could have TRAGIC consequences for those innocently enjoying our public lands.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife allows the baiting of black bears and wolves for sport hunting in much of the West Country. This practice is regulated and bait locations must to be posted with warning signs. Of course, anyone encountering these signs should leave the area immediately.
My concern relates to the now common hobby of wolf snaring by Alberta trappers. Readers may not be aware that the West Country is divided up into dozens of registered trap lines, with trappers allowed to bait wolves so they can be snared. The foothill areas from west of Calgary north to Grande Cache is especially popular for wolf snaring because the Alberta Wild Sheep Foundation and local trapper associations provide a wolf bounty of about $300 per head.
Wolf bait sites usually consist of a pile of road killed ungulates or other carcasses, around which up to 100 snares are set. One of the problems with this practice is that trappers can put their carcass dumps wherever they please and are not required to post any warning signs. Naturally, these locations are strong bear attractants at this time of year. Anyone out enjoying the country could easily and unknowingly stumble onto one of these bait sites with tragic consequences. I am afraid that it’s just a matter of time before someone is needlessly maimed or killed.
If you are out enjoying the back country this spring, be extra cautious. Watch for raven and magpie activity or the odor of rotting meat—signs that could indicate a wolf bait station and that bears will likely to be in the area. Be especially careful if you have a dog along, as it may warn you of a bait or a bear, but unfortunately, a bear might chase the dog back to you. The dog could also get caught in a snare which was not picked up. Pay attention and be safe.
D. R.
May 10, 2015
Dear Editor,
As a retired Problem Wildlife Specialist with the Provincial Government, I feel it is my responsibility to warn Albertans of a potentially deadly hazard in the West Country this spring which could have TRAGIC consequences for those innocently enjoying our public lands.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife allows the baiting of black bears and wolves for sport hunting in much of the West Country. This practice is regulated and bait locations must to be posted with warning signs. Of course, anyone encountering these signs should leave the area immediately.
My concern relates to the now common hobby of wolf snaring by Alberta trappers. Readers may not be aware that the West Country is divided up into dozens of registered trap lines, with trappers allowed to bait wolves so they can be snared. The foothill areas from west of Calgary north to Grande Cache is especially popular for wolf snaring because the Alberta Wild Sheep Foundation and local trapper associations provide a wolf bounty of about $300 per head.
Wolf bait sites usually consist of a pile of road killed ungulates or other carcasses, around which up to 100 snares are set. One of the problems with this practice is that trappers can put their carcass dumps wherever they please and are not required to post any warning signs. Naturally, these locations are strong bear attractants at this time of year. Anyone out enjoying the country could easily and unknowingly stumble onto one of these bait sites with tragic consequences. I am afraid that it’s just a matter of time before someone is needlessly maimed or killed.
If you are out enjoying the back country this spring, be extra cautious. Watch for raven and magpie activity or the odor of rotting meat—signs that could indicate a wolf bait station and that bears will likely to be in the area. Be especially careful if you have a dog along, as it may warn you of a bait or a bear, but unfortunately, a bear might chase the dog back to you. The dog could also get caught in a snare which was not picked up. Pay attention and be safe.
D. R.
Letter to previous ESRD Minister Robin Campbell from Vivian Pharis
Hon. Robin Campbell Minister, Environment and Sustainable Resources
323 Legislative Bldg. 10800 97 Ave. Edmonton, AB, T5K 2B6
Dear Minister Campbell:
Welcome to Alberta's most important portfolio! Alberta has a broad wildlife problem in that its Wildlife Policy is 30+ years out of date. It has a specific problem with its unscientific and often cruel management of the high profile wolf. Alberta will gain an international black eye for the way it treats wolves since we blame them for many land management problems like caribou declines, game species variations and livestock losses and then turn their management over to a mishmash of citizenry who apply "wolf justice". Some, including clubs, have even established bounty programs to encourage random wolf killings. The form of killing knows no bounds, and can be with guns, traps, snares and even poisons applied without supervision or organization. Wolves are "controlled" by counties, by trappers, by hunters, by land owners, by clubs and organizations, but only by our own wildlife managers when there is a call for mass slaughter, as over caribou range. Science from elsewhere shows repeatedly that random wolf killing usually exacerbates wolf numbers when the natural structure of family packs is destroyed, allowing breeding to proliferate. Alberta's system of management is totally unscientific and is apparently helping to ensure a growing population of wolves and therefore more fodder for "good ol' boy" solutions like are often graphically described on braggart websites. One such recent Alberta website from someone called "bullgetter" describes snaring a large "alpha" wolf with a technologically developed "power ram" snare. The snare failed when fur got wedged in the trigger, the wolf lived for a while, breaking the snare tie and dragging it 3 miles before becoming tangled and being shot. Really good stuff for the braggart blogs, but appalling stuff for most of us. No wildlife should be forced to suffer in such a manner. Snares of all sorts should be outlawed immediately. Alberta's 7000 native wolves need the sort of immediate public policy development that is happening right now for the 1000 non-native feral horses in the province. It could be done!
Vivian Pharis
Hon. Robin Campbell Minister, Environment and Sustainable Resources
323 Legislative Bldg. 10800 97 Ave. Edmonton, AB, T5K 2B6
Dear Minister Campbell:
Welcome to Alberta's most important portfolio! Alberta has a broad wildlife problem in that its Wildlife Policy is 30+ years out of date. It has a specific problem with its unscientific and often cruel management of the high profile wolf. Alberta will gain an international black eye for the way it treats wolves since we blame them for many land management problems like caribou declines, game species variations and livestock losses and then turn their management over to a mishmash of citizenry who apply "wolf justice". Some, including clubs, have even established bounty programs to encourage random wolf killings. The form of killing knows no bounds, and can be with guns, traps, snares and even poisons applied without supervision or organization. Wolves are "controlled" by counties, by trappers, by hunters, by land owners, by clubs and organizations, but only by our own wildlife managers when there is a call for mass slaughter, as over caribou range. Science from elsewhere shows repeatedly that random wolf killing usually exacerbates wolf numbers when the natural structure of family packs is destroyed, allowing breeding to proliferate. Alberta's system of management is totally unscientific and is apparently helping to ensure a growing population of wolves and therefore more fodder for "good ol' boy" solutions like are often graphically described on braggart websites. One such recent Alberta website from someone called "bullgetter" describes snaring a large "alpha" wolf with a technologically developed "power ram" snare. The snare failed when fur got wedged in the trigger, the wolf lived for a while, breaking the snare tie and dragging it 3 miles before becoming tangled and being shot. Really good stuff for the braggart blogs, but appalling stuff for most of us. No wildlife should be forced to suffer in such a manner. Snares of all sorts should be outlawed immediately. Alberta's 7000 native wolves need the sort of immediate public policy development that is happening right now for the 1000 non-native feral horses in the province. It could be done!
Vivian Pharis
Letter to the government of Alberta from a concerned individual.
Dear Madam
I am writing further to my October 6th email. I know that you will not have had an opportunity to review and respond yet, I completely understand how busy you must be. What I am writing about is if it would be possible to meet with you to discuss the possibility of your support in changing how wolves and other predators are treated in Alberta or at least get your help and advice on what I can do further this very important matter.
I am aware that this is a political hot potato, though I don’t think it needs to be but almost always the right thing is never the easy thing and this truly is the right thing. We are not doing right by the environment, habitats and the animals that live in them. I am not a radical person, my approach has and always will be professional, polite and factual but I do need help as I feel that I am getting no where on a matter that is incredibly important.
I am tremendously concerned over the wolf management in Alberta. I am attaching a letter from the International Union For Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources that was sent to Premier Redford in October of 2013. This letter outlines that Alberta is one of the very few jurisdictions left worldwide which allows the bounty system to kill coyotes and wolves and the reasons for the failure of such a system to accomplish what it sets out to do. In addition the previous ESRD Minister Robin Campbell admitted that the bounties do not work. “Government staff have met with several of the municipalities offering wolf bounties and provided them with information indicating that these types of programs are not effective in reducing wolf depredation."
In addition to the IUCN countless scientist around the world including Canadians such as Dr. Paul Paquette and Dr. Simon Gadbois have also addressed this issue with the same concerns.
It puzzles me why private people are allowed to make a profit from killing wildlife that belong to all Albertans. This website www.abhunting.com sums up how private persons are able to enjoy the wanton killing of coyotes and wolves in Alberta for pleasure and enjoyment and make a profit. “If you are up to a challenge wolf hunting is for you. Wolves may be hunted by the holder of a wolf license from the opening of any big game season until the end of the spring bear hunt season. A great method for wolf hunting is using heated blinds over bait, stalking and calling. Baiting wolves is legal and effective and there is NO limit on wolves”.
I am absolutely appalled at this. This is an excellent quote by Oliver Starr on why wolves should not be hunted and killed: "There is no scientific basis for the recreational killing of wolves. It is not a management strategy and fails to improve tolerance for wolves in areas where wolves are found.
Hunting may increase wolf / livestock conflict, as hunting disproportionately targets more mature animals, resulting in juvenile wolves that are unable to effectively sustain themselves beginning to focus on livestock where no prior problem existed.
Wolves are highly social and there are intricate relationships and inter-dependencies within each pack. Random killing disrupts this social structure that has the potential to fragment otherwise stable packs and cause additional unintended mortality.
The hunting of a species just removed from the endangered species list is simply unacceptable. We may as well have an open season on Bald Eagles... After all they're far more numerous than wolves. The overwhelming majority of people in this country do not countenance the killing of this iconic species. A federal ban on hunting is the only certain way to ensure their complete recovery throughout all available habitat."
As I said in my email of Oct 6 I understand that people in industries such as oil/gas and ranching need to make a living and I do not wish to take away from that, but when will we stop pointing finger at non human animals and start placing accountability on these industries. There are NON lethal methods that are effective both in management and cost. In addition again I ask why are we allowing other companies and private persons to profit off of culls/bounties that the government knows don’t work and wanton, irresponsible hunting as the site www.abhunting.ca with NO limits boasts?
My questions are:
All I am asking for is a Government that will listen to the science and make a effort to truly conserve habitats and the wild life in them because how things are now are not only appalling they are not sustainable and should not be accepted in a Province such as Alberta.
Warmest regards and thanks,
Dear Madam
I am writing further to my October 6th email. I know that you will not have had an opportunity to review and respond yet, I completely understand how busy you must be. What I am writing about is if it would be possible to meet with you to discuss the possibility of your support in changing how wolves and other predators are treated in Alberta or at least get your help and advice on what I can do further this very important matter.
I am aware that this is a political hot potato, though I don’t think it needs to be but almost always the right thing is never the easy thing and this truly is the right thing. We are not doing right by the environment, habitats and the animals that live in them. I am not a radical person, my approach has and always will be professional, polite and factual but I do need help as I feel that I am getting no where on a matter that is incredibly important.
I am tremendously concerned over the wolf management in Alberta. I am attaching a letter from the International Union For Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources that was sent to Premier Redford in October of 2013. This letter outlines that Alberta is one of the very few jurisdictions left worldwide which allows the bounty system to kill coyotes and wolves and the reasons for the failure of such a system to accomplish what it sets out to do. In addition the previous ESRD Minister Robin Campbell admitted that the bounties do not work. “Government staff have met with several of the municipalities offering wolf bounties and provided them with information indicating that these types of programs are not effective in reducing wolf depredation."
In addition to the IUCN countless scientist around the world including Canadians such as Dr. Paul Paquette and Dr. Simon Gadbois have also addressed this issue with the same concerns.
It puzzles me why private people are allowed to make a profit from killing wildlife that belong to all Albertans. This website www.abhunting.com sums up how private persons are able to enjoy the wanton killing of coyotes and wolves in Alberta for pleasure and enjoyment and make a profit. “If you are up to a challenge wolf hunting is for you. Wolves may be hunted by the holder of a wolf license from the opening of any big game season until the end of the spring bear hunt season. A great method for wolf hunting is using heated blinds over bait, stalking and calling. Baiting wolves is legal and effective and there is NO limit on wolves”.
I am absolutely appalled at this. This is an excellent quote by Oliver Starr on why wolves should not be hunted and killed: "There is no scientific basis for the recreational killing of wolves. It is not a management strategy and fails to improve tolerance for wolves in areas where wolves are found.
Hunting may increase wolf / livestock conflict, as hunting disproportionately targets more mature animals, resulting in juvenile wolves that are unable to effectively sustain themselves beginning to focus on livestock where no prior problem existed.
Wolves are highly social and there are intricate relationships and inter-dependencies within each pack. Random killing disrupts this social structure that has the potential to fragment otherwise stable packs and cause additional unintended mortality.
The hunting of a species just removed from the endangered species list is simply unacceptable. We may as well have an open season on Bald Eagles... After all they're far more numerous than wolves. The overwhelming majority of people in this country do not countenance the killing of this iconic species. A federal ban on hunting is the only certain way to ensure their complete recovery throughout all available habitat."
As I said in my email of Oct 6 I understand that people in industries such as oil/gas and ranching need to make a living and I do not wish to take away from that, but when will we stop pointing finger at non human animals and start placing accountability on these industries. There are NON lethal methods that are effective both in management and cost. In addition again I ask why are we allowing other companies and private persons to profit off of culls/bounties that the government knows don’t work and wanton, irresponsible hunting as the site www.abhunting.ca with NO limits boasts?
My questions are:
- Why is the Alberta Government still allowing the bounties and culls when they are ineffective?
- Why is all the finger pointing at the animals for the issues such as the loss of ungulates like the caribou, why are the ranchers and oil industry not being held accountable for their own damages to ungulates and livestock losses?
- Why is poison allowed (not to mention traps and snares) which is not species specific, it gets into waterways and land and it is an inhumane, horrific way for these animals to die?
- Why are private persons allowed to make a profit from killing these and other predators?
- Why does the Alberta Government refuse to listen to and work with the scientific facts and instead try to silence scientists? http://higherperspective.com/2014/10/dirty-oil-canada.html
All I am asking for is a Government that will listen to the science and make a effort to truly conserve habitats and the wild life in them because how things are now are not only appalling they are not sustainable and should not be accepted in a Province such as Alberta.
Warmest regards and thanks,
A letter written to former MLA and Premier Alison Redford from Dr. Lu Carbyn of the IUCN Wolf Specialist Group.
Photo by Myrna Pearman
Letter to ESRD Kyle Fawcett from a concerned wolf supporter.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you today to challenge along side Wolf Matters, the following:
*The government’s use of strychnine to poison wolves. Strychnine is not only an agonizing way to die, it is also carried into the food chain resulting in the deaths of other animals such as owls, eagles, foxes etc.
* The ongoing proliferation of bounties/incentive programs targeting wolves by municipalities
*The use of private/uncontrolled bounties in the following areas (some of which are funded by the Wyoming-based Wild Sheep Foundation) Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, and Grande Cache – to name but a few.
*The cruel and outdated methods by which wolves may be killed.
*The use of culling as a management tool. Culling is ineffective and leaves the remaining population of this highly intelligent animal in a distressed, fragmented and unstable state.
And advocate for:
*The Government of Alberta to regain control of wolf management in the province
*Wolf control to be based on sound scientific knowledge and public support
*Banning the use of strychnine and other poisons that are cruel and can affect non-target species
*Banning the use of snares, which are torture devices
*The humane treatment of wolves (At present they have very little, if any protection, compared with other species, making them a vulnerable scapegoat.)
*Their protection on public lands.
*Scientifically based plans for increasing the populations of caribou, or other prey species whose declining numbers are often unreasonably blamed on the wolf.
*Promoting avenues that enable humans to co-exist with wolves
*Education and promoting alternative methods to killing wolves that live alongside livestock.
We seem to have forgotten many of the methods of how we can co-exist with these animals. It’s not just understanding wolf and predator behaviour, but looking at human behaviour and making sure that we are not making the same mistakes from the past, like indiscriminate killing.
It’s usually between 2 - 5% of livestock that is lost to wolves (or other predators). Things such as lightning, transportation, poisonous plants, birthing or calving complications are larger threats that we often don’t discuss. But when something is lost to a natural predator, we certainly do point the the finger and start blaming.
A ranching family from Colville has received a national award from the U.S. Forest Service for their stewardship of public rangeland.John and Melva Dawson, and their son, Jeff, received the award earlier this month at a meeting in Ignacio, Colorado. The award cited the family’s progressive approach to facing challenges associated with livestock grazing on federal lands. After wolves returned to Northeast Washington, the Dawsons hired a range rider to provide a regular human presence to deter the wolves from attacking cattle. The project was the first of its kind in the state. We have one small ranch in Alberta, The Grazerie, that is seeing tremendous results with non lethal methods.
In addition to ranching we must also look inwards to what is actually the cause of the decimation of caribou in the North. It is not the wolves and other predators, it is the loss of habitat through oil production.
I am not saying that we have to get rid of oil production or cattle. I know that these people need to be able to make a living, I I understand how frustrating and angry it must make a hard working rancher to lose livestock to predators. All I am saying is we can, we must do a better job. It is to the point that we no longer have a choice, it is critical to do a better job.
I am seeing a small glimmer of light in the Honourable Jim Prentice’s government that has not been seen in a very long time in the Alberta Government, one where quite possibly the Government will begin to see things differently and so this is why I have chosen to write again at this time. The people of Alberta want to see changes in how the land is used, the protection of habitats and a better way to co-exist with wildlife. We see this in the outcry against the trapping of a beaver in a Conibear trap in Calgary and the shooting of a cougar.
Please sir, don’t toss this letter aside or reply with the standard form letter that continues to support the outdated method of “wildlife management” as did your predecessors. I am asking you to truly take a look at how things are being done now, to learn and understand the science and then begin to make changes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, I truly hope that it will make a difference.
We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless, while we learn how to use it and come to understand it. Save it to our great benefit....we ignore and degrade it to our great peril." E.O. Wilson.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to you today to challenge along side Wolf Matters, the following:
*The government’s use of strychnine to poison wolves. Strychnine is not only an agonizing way to die, it is also carried into the food chain resulting in the deaths of other animals such as owls, eagles, foxes etc.
* The ongoing proliferation of bounties/incentive programs targeting wolves by municipalities
*The use of private/uncontrolled bounties in the following areas (some of which are funded by the Wyoming-based Wild Sheep Foundation) Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, and Grande Cache – to name but a few.
*The cruel and outdated methods by which wolves may be killed.
*The use of culling as a management tool. Culling is ineffective and leaves the remaining population of this highly intelligent animal in a distressed, fragmented and unstable state.
And advocate for:
*The Government of Alberta to regain control of wolf management in the province
*Wolf control to be based on sound scientific knowledge and public support
*Banning the use of strychnine and other poisons that are cruel and can affect non-target species
*Banning the use of snares, which are torture devices
*The humane treatment of wolves (At present they have very little, if any protection, compared with other species, making them a vulnerable scapegoat.)
*Their protection on public lands.
*Scientifically based plans for increasing the populations of caribou, or other prey species whose declining numbers are often unreasonably blamed on the wolf.
*Promoting avenues that enable humans to co-exist with wolves
*Education and promoting alternative methods to killing wolves that live alongside livestock.
We seem to have forgotten many of the methods of how we can co-exist with these animals. It’s not just understanding wolf and predator behaviour, but looking at human behaviour and making sure that we are not making the same mistakes from the past, like indiscriminate killing.
It’s usually between 2 - 5% of livestock that is lost to wolves (or other predators). Things such as lightning, transportation, poisonous plants, birthing or calving complications are larger threats that we often don’t discuss. But when something is lost to a natural predator, we certainly do point the the finger and start blaming.
A ranching family from Colville has received a national award from the U.S. Forest Service for their stewardship of public rangeland.John and Melva Dawson, and their son, Jeff, received the award earlier this month at a meeting in Ignacio, Colorado. The award cited the family’s progressive approach to facing challenges associated with livestock grazing on federal lands. After wolves returned to Northeast Washington, the Dawsons hired a range rider to provide a regular human presence to deter the wolves from attacking cattle. The project was the first of its kind in the state. We have one small ranch in Alberta, The Grazerie, that is seeing tremendous results with non lethal methods.
In addition to ranching we must also look inwards to what is actually the cause of the decimation of caribou in the North. It is not the wolves and other predators, it is the loss of habitat through oil production.
I am not saying that we have to get rid of oil production or cattle. I know that these people need to be able to make a living, I I understand how frustrating and angry it must make a hard working rancher to lose livestock to predators. All I am saying is we can, we must do a better job. It is to the point that we no longer have a choice, it is critical to do a better job.
I am seeing a small glimmer of light in the Honourable Jim Prentice’s government that has not been seen in a very long time in the Alberta Government, one where quite possibly the Government will begin to see things differently and so this is why I have chosen to write again at this time. The people of Alberta want to see changes in how the land is used, the protection of habitats and a better way to co-exist with wildlife. We see this in the outcry against the trapping of a beaver in a Conibear trap in Calgary and the shooting of a cougar.
Please sir, don’t toss this letter aside or reply with the standard form letter that continues to support the outdated method of “wildlife management” as did your predecessors. I am asking you to truly take a look at how things are being done now, to learn and understand the science and then begin to make changes.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, I truly hope that it will make a difference.
We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless, while we learn how to use it and come to understand it. Save it to our great benefit....we ignore and degrade it to our great peril." E.O. Wilson.
A letter to the ESRD Kyle Fawcett from one of our group members.
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Photo by Carol Patterson.
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AND THE RESPONSE BACK:
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AND THE CHALLENGE BACK BY OUR GROUP MEMBER
AND RESPONSE BACK FROM THE GOVERNMENT:
A letter to the Alberta Government from one of our concerned supporters.
To the Alberta government,
I am NOT in support of the killing and culls of WOLVES. There are critical flaws in your logic of slaughtering wolves to protect caribou. The sad reality is caribou are on the way out due to the mismanagement of them for decades now. You have known that issue for 50 years. Caribous numbers are not dwindling due to wolves, they are in this situation because of us, we have allowed the province and industry of Alberta to destroy the habitat that caribou require. You have allowed all the mining and logging and snowmobiles/ATV activity to continue in this critical habitat. It’s ironic who is actually on the Caribou Board – mostly executives from the oil companies!!!! This caribou problem is the consequence of our neglect.
Wolves are emotional and intelligent beings and need their family unit to survive. There are MAJOR ecological repercussions when wolves are exploited and killed. The ripple effects are detrimental to the behaviour and diversity of many other species and natural processes. Wolves are a KEYSTONE SPECIES. Wolves are very important in maintaining balance and biodiversity.
We as Canadians and taxpayers deserve to become informed on how our tax dollars are being spent. Our input deserves to be heard.
The decision to kill more wolves is scientifically unsound. Killing wolves to increase ungulate populations is an outdated management practice that has failed to increase ungulate populations long-term WHERE EVER it has been tried in the past. Wolf populations rebound quickly and dispersing wolves fill in the vacant space created where resident wolves have been killed. All evidence to date shows that killing wolves will not work to reduce predator numbers long term.
This is NOT the first time wolf HELICOPTER killing and sterilization has occurred in Alberta. All past efforts where wolves have been killed have failed to increase caribou numbers. Why are we attempting this again and over and over? Not to mention the strychnine and trapping Alberta currently uses. Do you know how much pain animals go thru before dying in a trap. Would you do that to a dog? Many dogs and people have inadvertently been caught in traps. Do you know how many other animals are killed from your poison baits as well!!!!
This is also a question of animal welfare. Are we as a society prepared to spend the next 30 years shooting wolves from helicopters and spending hundreds of thousands of our tax payer dollars to do so. Causing harm to hundreds of intelligent and sensitive animals for any reason should be questioned for its moral ground. Ariel shooting is NOT an approved method under CANADA’s current guidelines on Approved Animal Care. Shooting wolves from helicopters violates animal care standards and is unjustifiable. And I have contacted Ecojustice on this matter.
Conservation, ecology, wolf social dynamics, animal welfare and ethical considerations were left out of this part of the caribou recovery plan and an apparent pre-determined agenda which encourages killing wolves has been exposed.
We as Canadians deserve to have a Canadian legacy of Wilderness and Wildlife left to us.
END THE WOLF KILLINGS NOW!
Yours truly,
To the Alberta government,
I am NOT in support of the killing and culls of WOLVES. There are critical flaws in your logic of slaughtering wolves to protect caribou. The sad reality is caribou are on the way out due to the mismanagement of them for decades now. You have known that issue for 50 years. Caribous numbers are not dwindling due to wolves, they are in this situation because of us, we have allowed the province and industry of Alberta to destroy the habitat that caribou require. You have allowed all the mining and logging and snowmobiles/ATV activity to continue in this critical habitat. It’s ironic who is actually on the Caribou Board – mostly executives from the oil companies!!!! This caribou problem is the consequence of our neglect.
Wolves are emotional and intelligent beings and need their family unit to survive. There are MAJOR ecological repercussions when wolves are exploited and killed. The ripple effects are detrimental to the behaviour and diversity of many other species and natural processes. Wolves are a KEYSTONE SPECIES. Wolves are very important in maintaining balance and biodiversity.
We as Canadians and taxpayers deserve to become informed on how our tax dollars are being spent. Our input deserves to be heard.
The decision to kill more wolves is scientifically unsound. Killing wolves to increase ungulate populations is an outdated management practice that has failed to increase ungulate populations long-term WHERE EVER it has been tried in the past. Wolf populations rebound quickly and dispersing wolves fill in the vacant space created where resident wolves have been killed. All evidence to date shows that killing wolves will not work to reduce predator numbers long term.
This is NOT the first time wolf HELICOPTER killing and sterilization has occurred in Alberta. All past efforts where wolves have been killed have failed to increase caribou numbers. Why are we attempting this again and over and over? Not to mention the strychnine and trapping Alberta currently uses. Do you know how much pain animals go thru before dying in a trap. Would you do that to a dog? Many dogs and people have inadvertently been caught in traps. Do you know how many other animals are killed from your poison baits as well!!!!
This is also a question of animal welfare. Are we as a society prepared to spend the next 30 years shooting wolves from helicopters and spending hundreds of thousands of our tax payer dollars to do so. Causing harm to hundreds of intelligent and sensitive animals for any reason should be questioned for its moral ground. Ariel shooting is NOT an approved method under CANADA’s current guidelines on Approved Animal Care. Shooting wolves from helicopters violates animal care standards and is unjustifiable. And I have contacted Ecojustice on this matter.
Conservation, ecology, wolf social dynamics, animal welfare and ethical considerations were left out of this part of the caribou recovery plan and an apparent pre-determined agenda which encourages killing wolves has been exposed.
We as Canadians deserve to have a Canadian legacy of Wilderness and Wildlife left to us.
END THE WOLF KILLINGS NOW!
Yours truly,
A letter written to The Municipal District of Greenview by the Alberta Wilderness Association regarding wolf bounties.
A letter to the previous Alberta ESRD Minister by a concerned citizen:
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AND THE RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER:
Citizens counter response:
AND response back from Dave Kay - ESRD Fish and Wildlife Policy Branch:
Running wolf in Jasper, Alberta
Photo copyright: Dieter Kepper
Letters to Minister Diane McQueen from a Wolf Advocate:
Letter 1
Response
Letter to Clark Merriman 1
Letter to Clark Merriman 2
Final letter
Letter 1
Response
Letter to Clark Merriman 1
Letter to Clark Merriman 2
Final letter
