BC Launches Wolf Cull

I know it doesn't work with Coyotes-they just have larger litters-why does it work with Wolves?

Just wondering.
 
Dogbreath said:
I know it doesn't work with Coyotes-they just have larger litters-why does it work with Wolves?
Click to expand...

Wolves will and do respond with larger litters, and "pack splintering" which can lead to even more litters being produced amongst the sub-packs. This is a common response to trapping and / or ground based hunting efforts.

The type of cull that has been endorsed is FAR from that. Aerial Gunning, when conducted in a systematic and repeated manner, is VERY Effective at removing most of the population from a given target area. Wolves are slightly more susceptible to this type of approach, being a fair bit larger and easier to identify from aircraft. However, in some areas the method has been proven to be reasonably effective for coyotes as well.

In the case of both species, culling is basically a "band aid" maneuver, as both will replenish their diminished ranks within a fairly short period of time unless the cull program is operated on a continuous basis.

In the matter of the caribou populations in this case, it may already be far too late to "save" them from extirpation. IMHO, this program should have been initiated a considerable time ago (of course it was held in check due to perceived negative attention from the "anti's"). It would be a shame to simply let the caribou die out without attempting to swing the balance back towards their favor, and we can hope that this program has a positive effect in that regard.

I also believe it is well past time that the Bio's (and government) start taking a close look at other ungulate population declines Province Wide. Wolf populations in BC are now at an all time high, and the health of many herds is under duress as a consequence. Hunters and trappers have been well shown to make only a rather "small dent" in the burgeoning wolf populations, so consideration should (and hopefully will be) given to extending this project over much wider areas of BC.

As for the sea lions, they are blindly afforded an elevated level of "protection" via Federal Legislation. More than a few extra "hurdles" to overcome when considering the potential of population reduction programs. Also Overdue in a LOT of areas IMHO... ;)

Cheers,
Nog
 
I found it interesting that tiny Pacific Wild was the only group to step forward in opposition so far. Have Sierra Club and Greenpeace not noticed or did they look at the science first?
 
All I know,when out hunting,any wolf I see won't be running away if I can help it..
 
abbyfireguy said:
All I know,when out hunting,any wolf I see won't be running away if I can help it..
Click to expand...

Even though you have no idea what killing that wolf might do to the population? Sounds a tad ignorant to me seeing how the science points to a random killing to cause higher reproductive rates. It makes you wonder whether acts like what you are describing have had a much larger impact on raising the wolf population than one might think.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/...ve+hormones+study+reveals/10374289/story.html
 
The article you posted AP regarding the study by Heather Bryan, does have some assumptions.

"Elevated levels of the reproductive hormone, testosterone, in both male and female wolves are thought to be linked to hunting. Increased levels of progesterone, a hormone produced during pregnancy, likely reflects an unusually higher proportion of breeding females."

In a previous study by Heather Bryan, she says that increased levels of testosterone might be related to social interaction-

"Male grizzly bears that depend on having salmon in their diet had higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol when they ate less fish. Studies in other mammals suggest that chronically high cortisol levels may suppress the immune system, leaving animals vulnerable to disease.

Coastal grizzlies also had higher levels of testosterone than their non-salmon-eating relatives in the interior. "That might be related to social interaction," says Bryan. "Since there are more bears on the coast, they have a higher population density and potentially more competition over limited resources like salmon."




Seems to me that she is capable of diagnosing which populations of mammals have elevated levels of hormones, but she can’t say with certainty why they have these increases. Whatever the increase, I’m sure it relates to human impact, which is all but impossible to predict the outcome of our interactions with other species. I know that my being a fisherman is likely negatively impacting other species, but I will continue to do it since I get lots out of fishing. I will try to minimize my impact while out there.

 
sly_karma said:
I found it interesting that tiny Pacific Wild was the only group to step forward in opposition so far. Have Sierra Club and Greenpeace not noticed or did they look at the science first?
Click to expand...

There is most likely something to what you suggest. In fact, some environmental groups have actually come out in SUPPORT of the cull:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/briti...ted-by-conservation-group-wildsight-1.2931680

Pacific Wild of course continues to rant and has even gone so far as to put up a "Donation Request" page seeking a target of $ 50,000 - with NO Explanation whatsoever on just how or where they intend to spend the jingle once collected. In a flurry of mindless reaction, City Sheeple has already donated more than 30K. Idjuts.

The Silence from the rest is understandable - they don't want to be seen as "in support", yet at the same time do not want to appear to be against the caribou recovery plans. Interesting then that Wildsight actually came out with their form of "support".

And the choppers now fly daily... ;)

Cheers,
Nog
 
Thanx for posting up this issue and information. I agree with the culling of Wolves to save endangered Caribou. Sitting around doing nothing is not an option. Lets hope it works. Time will tell, if it makes a difference in the long term survival of this iconic species.
 
wonder what those choppers are costing us? why not just put a paid bounty on the wolves? i bet that would be cheaper in the long run.... and at least get some use out of the pelts and some sport for the hunters rather than just letting the carcass sit there to rot... maybe it's in an area with no access to humans?
 
bigdogeh said:
... why not just put a paid bounty on the wolves? i bet that would be cheaper in the long run.... and at least get some use out of the pelts and some sport for the hunters rather than just letting the carcass sit there to rot... maybe it's in an area with no access to humans?
Click to expand...

Proven to be totally Ineffective. Especially in remote & tugged terrain. Choppers are the Only Real Effective Mechanism.

Here's a rather refreshing point of view, from a Reporter no less. Pretty much Nails It IMHO:

http://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/opinion/289947031.html

Cheers,
Nog
 
IronNoggin said:
Proven to be totally Ineffective. Especially in remote & tugged terrain. Choppers are the Only Real Effective Mechanism.

Here's a rather refreshing point of view, from a Reporter no less. Pretty much Nails It IMHO:

http://www.lakecountrycalendar.com/opinion/289947031.html

Cheers,
Nog
Click to expand...


good article
I'm not against it (the cull) and feel that at this point it's probably necessary... but i think an effort on many fronts, including culling through hunters, trappers etc, along with the aerial assault would be a better approach. and if snowmobiles, logging, etc in this area is having a detrimental effect it should be stopped. we have alot of land in this province. it's sad that this herd is almost at the point of extinction... but not suprising given the (lack of) leadership of this last decade..
maybe the herd could be built up using stock from stronger northern herds? that may be a good use of helicopters i would think although i'm sure there are reasons why that isn't feasable. it's a complicated issue but the solution of using helicopters just seems like a strong handed, short term solution. a solution that doesn't really adress the real root problems of lack of habitat, human and corporate (snowmobile, logging, mining, etc) encroachment.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bigdogeh said:
... it's a complicated issue but the solution of using helicopters just seems like a strong handed, short term solution. a solution that doesn't really adress the real root problems of lack of habitat, human and corporate (snowmobile, logging, mining, etc) encroachment.
Click to expand...

The fact is that the "strong handed" cull is but one aspect of a many faceted approach.

There has been a moratorium on punching new roads into the Selkirk area since around 2007:

"A mountain caribou recovery plan was implemented in 2007, protecting 2.2 million hectares from logging and road-building, including most of the core habitat of the South Selkirk herd. The Nature Conservancy of Canada bought 550 square kilometres in that region to protect habitat."

More focus is now being given to recreational access, and it appears local hunting and snowmobile clubs are onside with that. Heli-skiiing and individual incursions into the area remain an issue, but steps are being taken to address those aspects.

Also in consideration are transplanting more caribou into the region, and the potential of Nursery Pens to help keep the cows and calves at reduced predation levels.

Of course the wolves will "bounce back"... in time.
Hopefully by the time they do, the caribou will have been afforded sufficient time to rebuild their numbers to the point of being able to withstand the increased level of predation that "bounce back" will bring with...

Cheers,
Nog
 
Is this the herd that crosses back and forth between Canada and the US? If so there has been heavy lobbying by US snowmobilers to have the herd delisted. They claim the herd is no longer viable and therefore restrictions to protect them needlessly interfere with their sport. Oddly I don't remember hearing much protest from the enviros when the snowmobilers pushed their plan.
 
Same Herd. The application from the snowmobile group has been in place for years, and is overturned at each sitting. That ain't likely to change.

Email from the Conservation Director at Wildsight I received this date:

"Hi Matt

I have been involved with mountain caribou since the 1970’s and as Wildsight since the 90’s when we first sponsored caribou research in the Purcell Mountains. It has been clear since that time that there are no simple solutions or easy answers to mountain caribou recovery.
Wildsight’s focus has always been on habitat protection. We have repeatedly countered the argument that the elimination of predators is the answer to recovery. Several years of work with our partner groups in the Mountain Caribou Project (MCP)* included forestry market campaigns that finally brought government and industry onside. In 2006, the provincial government proclaimed the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan that protects 5.5 million acres of habitat, banning logging and road building in caribou habitat and placing restrictions on motorized recreation. It is not a perfect plan, but I supported the minister for the announcement. Some members of the audience in the BC Legislature asked me afterwards why I looked so serious that day. I responded that it was because I knew the work was just beginning if we were to recover these animals across their range. There had been a lot of pushback to limit recovery and habitat protection only to more robust northern herds, but the scientists and MCP persevered and secured protection for existing herds. Areas where caribou were extirpated received no habitat protection measures.


The Mountain Caribou Recovery Science Team, comprised of leading caribou researchers from across British Columbia, included in their recommendations the need to employ predator control in situations where a herd was below 50 animals and threatened with extirpation by predation. I argued strenuously on behalf of MCP that predator control should only be considered in extreme situations, and then only if targeted specifically at predators who could be shown to be directly preying on the endangered caribou. As a member of the Mountain Caribou Recovery Progress Board (a multi-stakeholder board that is a reference group for the provincial government), I have strongly objected to wide-scale predator control as well as increased trapping and random hunting in caribou habitat. These practices serve no conservation purpose. MCP members were unanimous in supporting predator control only as a final action once habitat protections were in place and specific predators could be linked to caribou losses.


The science team biologists have clearly stated that the logging and road ban that is in place across the South Selkirks covers the needed habitat for the caribou herd. Over the past five years, corresponding to the time when wolves have settled in the South Selkirks, caribou numbers of just under fifty animals (that had been stable and slightly increasing over the previous decade) dropped to 18 animals. In the last year, caribou kills have had both wolf track and wolf DNA present. Radio collared caribou and wolves are sharing the same habitats. The caribou biologists responsible for recovery said that a wolf cull is absolutely necessary to buy time for mountain caribou recovery. The fear is that if predation continues as it has over the past five years, extirpation of the herd is imminent.


It is difficult to accept the necessity of predator control, but to maintain this endangered species and the associated habitat protection it has become necessary. While always accepting that these measures would be needed in extreme situations, we always hoped that it would not be the case. It is unfortunate and sad to be targeting wolves when we know it isn’t wolves that have created this situation. Wolves are far too often scapegoated for human caused problems. And the situation Mountain Caribou are now in is indeed human caused—habitat changes from forestry and recreation have made caribou habitat available to wolves. Wolves are apex predators who are very good at taking advantage of changes that make prey more available. A wolf cull has merit only if large areas of old growth forest are protected, winter recreation in caribou habitat is controlled and steps such as maternal penning are employed to recover caribou numbers to a point that can withstand predation.


Without action, however, there will be no caribou left, and habitat protection reduced. The largest single gains in the Kootenays over the past few years for protection of wild places have been due to the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan.
Wildsight and our Mountain Caribou Project partner organizations *(The Mountain Caribou Project includes Wildsight, Conservation Northwest, ForestEthics, CPAWS BC, Sierra Club BC, BC Nature, Fraser Headwaters) have been involved with the recovery of Mountain Caribou in the Selkirks and throughout the inland temperate rainforest for over ten years. The Peace River situation is one that we have not been engaged in and are not qualified to speak to.


Habitat Protection and Access Management


Through the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan, over 5.5 million acres of caribou habitat has been protected across the inland temperate rainforest of British Columbia. In the South Selkirks, a ban on logging and road building has been placed on an area including thousands of hectares of timber harvesting land base, the Dark Woods property was purchased with a priority on reserving caribou habitat, and West Arm and Stagg Leap parks further protect habitat. Much of this habitat has been logged in the past and requires time before it is again suitable for caribou and less attractive to other prey and predators.
Snowmobile restrictions are in place—and always need more enforcement—but compliance has been generally good. Similarly, habitat protections for forests and recreation are in place south of the Canada/USA border.
Mountain caribou provide protection for old growth forests and all dependent species. The provincial recovery plan and the legal case that Wildsight and partners won to have the federal government ensure caribou recovery plans will be very difficult to implement if herds are extirpated.


Where we are now


Restrictions placed on habitat destruction will take time to heal an already fragmented landscape. The worry is that at this moment, the caribou don’t have that kind of time. Wolves are an important part of healthy ecosystems and their numbers are increasing in southern BC. I look forward to the time that habitat restoration and management will allow both mountain caribou and robust wolf populations to thrive.
When attention has shifted from the wolf cull, the government must continue to be held accountable. They must invest in and follow through with the other actions in the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan, measures such as maternal penning and strengthening and enforcement of the existing restrictions. If not, the wolf cull in the South Selkirks will be even more tragic than it already is.
We can only avoid these types of difficult and unfortunate decisions by managing this unique ecosystem more deliberately to protect biodiversity and unique plant and animal communities.


I do not like to have to be in the position to be the spokesperson for killing any animals, but I find that I must act for the long-term health of the ecosystem and all living things.


John Bergenske, Conservation Director"
 
The Selkirk wolves are done, they have been targeting the South Peace wolves all week and up to yesterday, 9 had been killed. Terrible weather has been the culprit, but now that we have colder weather with fresh snow, it should help.

FN's in the area of Hudsons Hope/Moberly Lk are also planning to remove a bunch wolves from the area after the relatively successful cow caribou pen nursery program this summer.

Pacific Wild is a little too late on this one and if anybody on here has donated $$$ to them, they should ask where the money is going. Every time it gets asked on Facebook, they delete the post.......Money grab is all it is.

Cheers

SS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

IronNoggin
Remembrance Day Tradition
Replies
4
Views
768
Ringo
R
IronNoggin
New group calls for seal and sea lion cull on B.C.’s coast
Replies
5
Views
1K
cohochinook
cohochinook
OldBlackDog
Three Solitudes, by Bob Hooton
Replies
14
Views
2K
searun
searun
IronNoggin
VERY Interesting Development!
Replies
1
Views
718
halimark
H
IronNoggin
Tell the BC Government to Responsibly Fund Fish, Wildlife & Habitat!
Replies
11
Views
752
IronNoggin
IronNoggin
Back
Top