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!
