Filed under: Conservation
2010 is on its way out, and with it goes the officially designated “Year of Biodiversity” (as per the IUCN). 2011 brings with it the international “Year of Forests”. Perhaps there is no better way to protect the global decline in biodiversity than focusing on the homes and habitats that are being lost globally, but especially in British Columbia. BC is famous for its biodiversity. It is also recognized for exporting huge amounts of raw lumber. Caribou are in decline, yet logging of their identified critical old-growth habitat continues. What does Canada stand for? How about BC?
Recently, Canadians have embraced the wild image that is presented of them at home and around the world. A great piece in this months’ Canadian Geographic pointed out that our Olympic mascots were wild icons that have found themselves on the endangered species list, but are any Canadians aware of their current demise? What were we cheering for when wearing our jerseys knit with Canadian flags and bears, caribou, and marmots? Certainly not our true WILD strong and free?
It seem like a slap in the face to conservationists and the wildlife they are working to protect when Canadian species are celebrated on stamps, professional teams, and currency as the government uses their images for promotion while “secretly” destroying the very basic needs that all species have; clean air, water, food, and enough space.
A 1979 BC government document we recently came across states that even selective logging would lead to a decline in caribou in the future. Now the government is saying that we need to kill more wolves, cougars, moose, deer and elk to help caribou recover. How many people know about the lengthened hunting seasons, removal of bag limits, reduction and sterilization programs that the government funds with our own tax dollars? This is where the secrecy comes in, or at least the lack of transparency.
Let us use the wolf as a prime example. What the government DOES show the public is a new five dollar coin featuring a wolf. It will be round, and shiny, and beautiful. But tarnished by the fact that this coin will be worth more than the wild animals’ own natural skin. The royalty for a wolf pelt in BC is $3.38. The BC government has failed the wolf, an intelligent animal with its own intrinsic value, has failed nature as wolves bring benefits to ecosystems by maintaining health and balance, and is failing First Nations peoples and all Canadians by refusing to recognize the cultural significance of this top predator. It has failed caribou by knowingly desecrating every thing that they need to survive, and then pointing a finger of blame at other species. Can we turn this around? BC has an opportunity as well as a responsibility to the rest of the world to maintain intact and functioning ecosystems….globally recognized environmental concerns can be addressed in our province, if we start now! We STILL HAVE biodiversity and large intact forests worth preserving, while other countries around the world are striving to put back these things back together.
BC has no laws or legislation that protect threatened wildlife. This province relies on Canada’s Species at Risk Act, SARA, which can only extend “protection” to federal lands within the province – amounting to about 1% of beautiful British Columbia. Even SARA is repeatedly criticized for doing too little too late, and not having the “teeth” that the American Endangered Species Act has. This needs to change. British Columbians have a lot to lose, and we must begin by recognizing what is at stake. Not only our wild species and spaces, but also our identity as good land stewards; our cultures and natural history; our imagination and creativity celebrated by songs, stories, legends, photos, paintings, drawings, poetry, movies; and our team spirit and pride as animal mascots become only memories.
In January we will be presenting some of our favourite BC wildlife images and discussing the need for an endangered species law in this province. More animals and plants are added to the threatened list each year, but with legislation that puts wildlife and wild places first, perhaps we can stall the ever-hungry predators of resource extraction and commercial recreation. There are some things that money cannot buy. And many of these wonders are found in BC and need people to start caring, not just wearing. Look for an announcement about the details of an upcoming presentation on BC Species at Risk, which will be shared and co-hosted by several of Golden’s local conservation groups.
By Sadie Parr
I know this comes a little late in the season… but it’s a topic that keeps coming up, and we have some strong opinions about this. The topic is whether to restrict access by snow machines into sensitive ecological areas – and a lot of it has to do with caribou and wolves.
A comment was made on a news story back in March (Revelstoke Times Review) how caribou “appreciate” the tracks put down by machines, so they don’t have to work as hard to walk through deep snow. Well, these snowmobile “highways” also allow predators to follow the caribou into their winter habitat.
Thus, the caribou are losing one major tool they have always used to avoid predators – climbing into inaccessible terrain.
Snowmobiling clubs and outfitters should be commended on their efforts to raise awareness of sensitive areas. We, as citizens, should encourage them to continue educating their members and clients to avoid these areas during certain times of the year. It seems that for the most part, snowmobiling organizations and conservation organizations are able to meet in the middle when it comes to the endangered mountain caribou (www.mountaincaribou.org).
It’s only a handful of whiners, as usual, who make a lot of noise and make the others look bad… The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I guess.
The Environmental extremists supposedly skew data and studies to suit their agenda… is an argument used by people who don’t want their movement in the backcountry restricted in any way. So does that mean that the extremists on the other side do not skew any data ever, then? “Maybe” the caribou are avoiding areas with snowmobiles. So let’s just continue to “maybe” harass them and we will see whether it’s true or not…
Handfuls of snowmobilers, and others enjoying the great outdoors, have had close encounters with caribou out there. It is a rare and special event to come that close to such a shy animal, and those of you who have turned off your engines, enjoyed the moment, and left quietly should be proud. Surely not everyone is so respectful. We all know the yahoos in our neighbourhood.
The big issue is not whether we chase them around (although that is a concern, and so is the noise)… the big issue is the easy access we give predators when we pack down the snow. The caribou no longer have anywhere to hide.
How is it possible, that in a province with this much open wilderness, that we cannot all agree to explore other beautiful and remote areas, and stay away from identified sensitive areas?
When tourists pour $8 million per year into the local economy to explore our backcountry, you can bet they don’t have their heart set on disturbing wildlife in sensitive areas. We are surrounded by majestic wilderness and it’s not all sensitive. They would still give us $8 million to go somewhere nice. Don’t try to tell me that we’re limited in towns like Golden and Revelstoke. We should be ashamed of ourselves.
Why should we be allowed to recreate in every corner of the wilderness all the time? Why wouldn’t we do everything in our power to help endangered species?
Here are some links you all might find interesting:
Snowmobiling and national park boundaries
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/lifestyles/40193438.html
NCES says B.C. mountain caribou recovery plan implementation falls short
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/news/40192703.html
Calls for snowmobile closures sparks debate
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/revelstoketimesreview/news/40577768.html
Black male wolf killed on TCH, Banff National Park
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/thegoldenstar/news/40133343.html
More on wolves in Kootenay National Park
http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/invermerevalleyecho/news/37464409.html
Filed under: Conservation, Wolf Conservation, Wolves of the Rockies | Tags: Canadian Wolf Coalition, wolf buffer zones, wolf conservation
Only 2 weeks left to help protect wolves in the Canadian Central Rocky Mountains! Our petition to form Buffer Zones around our National Parks is winding down, and we still need your help.
ADD YOUR VOICE. Spread the word. Visit www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Wolf-Buffer-zones
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK! Fill out the survey. Visit www.questionpro.com/akira/TakeSurvey?id=1028200
Why?
- Canadian wolf hunting and trapping regulations are TOO LAX!
- Canadian hunting regulations show that our government only values the life of a wolf at $2.65 in royalties in B.C. when they are trapped, and as low as ONE DOLLAR in other provinces.
- Open hunting season ranges from 8 – 12 months, and YEAR-ROUND in some provinces below 1100m.
- Many provinces have no bag limits, and no specific tag or permit requirements to hunt wolves, unlike other fur-bearing or large game animals.
- Our National Parks are NOT large enough to sustain healthy wolf packs and ensure their future.
- As top predators, wolves maintain balance and ecological integrity. Wolves are like an umbrella: by protecting them, we can protect many species under them.
- The Central Rocky Mountain Corridor connects wildlife across North America, and we must maintain intact habitat in these areas.
- The rest of the world has LOST wolves due to loss of habitat and human exploitation. Let’s set an example!
If you have already signed the petition, the Canadian Wolf Coalition and wolves across Canada thank you. Aaaaaaooooooooooo! For more information about Buffer Zones for Wolves or the Canadian Wolf Coalition, visit www.northernlightswildlife.com or www.canadianwolfcoalition.com
SURVEY RESULTS SO FAR:
90% of all survey respondents have visited on of our National Parks.
75% of the respondents are from Canada.
88% were strongly in favour of banning the hunting, trapping, or chasing of wolves for an additional 200 km around the National Parks in the Canadian Central Rockies, while 5% disagreed.
88% were strongly in favour of restricting the use of motorized recreational vehicles for an area of 200 km around the National Parks in the Canadian Central Rockies, while 7% disagreed.
84% were strongly in favour of creating a land management use plan/policy for 200 km around each National Park in the Canadian Central Rockies to restrict the development of commercial or industrial practices (including resource extraction), while 7% disagreed.
There were very mixed feelings about imposing limits on the number of people allowed to enter the National Parks in the Canadian Central Rockies throughout the year, with just over 50% in favour.
HOWLS AND BARKS FROM SOME OF YOU:
“Wolves need extra protection in these areas, and only Buffer Zones will accomplish this, unless the ENTIRE PARK is made larger.”
“We need to protect our wildlife. I think a buffer zone is a good step in the right direction.”
“200km?!?!?? If you’re that out to lunch why don’t you suggest a complete tunnel of all highways within the Parks to address roadkill of wolves. Come back to Earth, come up with something more balanced.”
“With the population exanding and the available natural untouched wilderness areas decreasing we are going to lose many species. Farmland is being subdivided and wilderness areas are being turned into communities for humans…look at Canmore and Cochrane…it absolutely sick. We have to stop this, nature, land, wildlife and humans are all connected.”
“I am undecided on imposing limits to the numers permitted into our Parks. On one hand, I agree that population and overuse is intruding and interfering with the natural habitat that is essential to many species. On the other, I believe that visitors to the parks are more likely to become great advocates to for our esocsystems wildlife… …Thanks for everything you are doing!!!”
“Wolves are endangered or lost in almost every other country on earth when they used to be the most widely distributed animal in the world. We should learn from other’s mistakes and protect them while we have the chance.”
“Having lived extensively in the United States AND Canada, and as a proud Canadian, I would be appalled to see our beautiful national parks go the way of the Americans where there is far too much permitted in terms of hunting, fishing, recreational vehicles, and overuse. We must ensure that our parks are kept pristine for our children and future generations. In order to do so, we must protect all species of wildlife within those boundaries. We MUST NOT bow to the pressure of big business who sees only dollar signs.”
THANKS to EVERYONE who has signed the petition and filled out the survey!
Howl With Me
Filed under: Conservation, Wolf Conservation, Wolves of the Rockies | Tags: canadian wolves, endangered species
A letter to the editor of the Golden Star a few weeks ago suggested that wolves need no protection. Well – it’s true they are not considered “endangered” in Canada. It took a while for the rebuttal to form in our collective brain… but here is what we think.
People either love wolves or hate them. They ignite our passion. They spark our imagination. Wolves are an icon of the wilderness – and maybe we can use that status to help endangered species in this country.
You can certainly argue that they don’t need protection… especially in Canada, where we have a “healthy” population, and one of the largest intact wolf populations in the world.
But we argue that they do need protection! We believe that if we keep wolf numbers healthy, they can help us keep everything healthy, including ourselves. Healthy ecosystems are essential to healthy human societies and economies. This is a guiding principal from the Protect Biodiversity website (www.protectbiodiversity.ca), and it should be everyone’s guiding principle for the way to live your life.
Here is the basis for our argument: Imagine the wolf as an umbrella. They are a large predator who sits at the very top of our food chain. When something happens at the top, there is a cascade effect that influences every level of the food chain, right down to the insects and plants… basically, everything under the umbrella.
Consider these things: Wolves live in packs. They hunt all year long in order to feed their big families. They often take the weak and sick, and leave behind the strong and healthy. They feed others, because there are often lots of leftovers from their feasts. They control the numbers of their prey, so huge population explosions don’t happen, and that means there is enough food energy to go around (that’s the “carrying capacity” of the land).
Badgers are “endangered” in British Columbia. Who cares about the badger? They’re a pest, right?
Blue herons are considered “vulnerable”. But they’re majestic, beautiful, and don’t dig holes in farmers’ fields. So… some people may take notice…
But many more people take notice when you say “wolf”. Both sides of the argument come to life. That’s the beauty of it!
We want to ignite your passion! So whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, we do need to talk about them. Our argument is that by protecting wolves, we can protect the others… we can, in fact, protect the whole ecosystem. Healthy humans on a healthy planet!
Wild salmon are endangered. Period. Nothing more needs to be said. (Interestingly, Alaska, who allows people to shoot wolves from planes, actually operates a sustainable wild salmon fishery that puts British Columbia and the rest of the Pacific coast to shame… go figure).
Nearly all salmon farms in Canada are around Vancouver Island. Five international companies — three based in Norway — control most existing farms. If we are going to farm salmon, why don’t we control the farms? But I digress.
Fish farms are a bad idea. Farmed salmon are an alien species, fed antibiotics, pesticides, synthetic pigments, and all sorts of other nasty chemicals… which we then eat. And we wonder why cancer rates in humans are going sky high.
Pesticides fed to the fish and toxic copper sulfate used to keep nets free of algae are building up in seafloor sediments. Antibiotics have created resistant strains of disease that infect wild and domesticated fish. Human-made contaminants, PCBs, and dioxins make their way into the ocean and are absorbed by marine life. The pollutants accumulate in fat that is distilled into the concentrated fish oil, which, in turn, is a prime ingredient of the salmon feed. Besides toxic chemicals, parasites are an issue. Sea lice are enjoying the party at the fish farms: clouds of lice swarm nearby wild salmon on their migration routes, and up to 75% of these nearby populations of wild salmon are covered with a fatal load of sea lice (which burrow into fish and feed on skin, mucous and blood).
Of all the concerns about fish farms, the biggest turns out to be a problem fish farms were supposed to help alleviate: the destruction of marine life through overfishing. Salmon are carnivores, and the farmed fish must be fed. It takes about 2.4 pounds of wild fish to produce 1 pound of farmed salmon. Hello? Some people say, if you want to help save salmon, eat more sardines! Sounds counter-intuitive, but we would use up far less sardines and that harvest would be more sustainable.
The farmed fish industry has grown so huge in the last couple of decades, that it recognizes it soon will be pushing the limits of the ocean. “There will come a time when our industry will (need) … more of the fish oil and fish meal than is available,” said Odd Grydeland, an executive at Heritage Salmon in British Columbia.
Well, the solution is easy: why not feed them corn? They could probably get some cheap, genetically modified “corn” from Monsanto (here is a link of interest http://www.percyschmeiser.com/). Feeding corn to fish may sound like a joke (it was meant as one)… but listen to this from an salmon farm industry spokesman:
“Our biggest challenge is to find substitute grains for fish meal and fish oil.”
Uh… that is as wrong as feeding ground up cows to cows. Yes – the beef you eat from the grocery store is not a happy herbivore prancing about the fields like they were meant to. But I digress.
Ecologically, fish farming is a disaster. About 1 million live Atlantic salmon, an alien species to the Pacific Northwest, have escaped through holes in nets and storm-wrecked farms. Biologists fear these invaders will out-compete Pacific salmon and trout for food and territory, hastening the demise of the native fish. An Atlantic salmon takeover could wreak havoc on our still healthy, diverse marine habitat.
But, I know most humans don’t really care about what happens to wildlife or ecosystems… only if it affects us. Well, try this on for size: European health studies have suggested that there is human health risk from synthetic pigment added to the feed to give farmed salmon their pink hue. That’s right, the farmed salmon would be an unappetizing pale grey without the pink chemicals. In the wild, salmon become pink from eating pink krill.
So, on a non-wolf related rant, I am suggesting we all boycott farmed salmon – it’s not good for you, nor is it good for our environment. And stop eating wild salmon until our government gets its act together and promotes a sustainable west coast fishery.
Casey Black
