November 26, 2008

ACTION ALERT!

Northern Rockies Wolves
Protection is Still Uncertain

Please Help Stop Wolf Myths From Tainting
U.S. Fish & Wildlife's Wolf Protection Decisons

YOUR LETTER IS NEEDED TO DISPEL THESE MYTHS

Six Facts Everyone Should Know about Wolves

1) You stand a better chance of being hit by a meteorite than being killed by a wolf.

According to a 2002 study about wolf conflicts with humans, there is no documented case of a healthy, wild wolf killing a human in the United States. By comparison, between 10 to 20 people are killed and 4.7 million attacked each year by man's best friend, the domestic dog.

2) Wolves and large grazing animals have lived side-by-side for tens of thousands of years.

Studies on Yellowstone elk and wolves have found that weather and hunter harvest affect elk declines more than wolf predation. Wolves often increase prey populations by culling weak and sick animals from the gene pool. Food availability and weather regulate wolf populations. When their prey is scarce, wolves suffer too. They breed less frequently, have fewer litters, and may even starve to death.

3) Ranching is a minor part of the economic base of the northern Rockies.

In the counties around Yellowstone National Park, livestock production accounts for less than 4% of personal income, while tourism-related industries account for more than 50%. Moreover wolves effects on livestock are negligible, so effects on ranching jobs will be virtually nonexistent.

4) In portions of the northern Rockies and Southwest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) designated wolves as "experimental, nonessential" populations.

This special designation gave landowners a limited right to kill wolves caught in the act of preying on livestock on private property and increased the ability of FWS to remove or destroy problem wolves.

5) According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, very few land use restrictions have been necessary to facilitate wolf recovery in Montana and Minnesota.

The service reports that restrictions are necessary only if illegal mortality of wolves occurs at high levels.

6) Polls taken throughout the United States demonstrate that more people support wolf recovery than oppose it.

A 2002 summary of human attitudes towards wolves found that 61% of the general population samples had positive attitudes towards wolves.

Numbers Don't Lie!!!

Wolf Predation Plays a Small Role in Livestock Losses in 2005
In the continental U.S., health issues such as respiratory problems, digestive problems, calving complications and disease were overwhelmingly the most significant causes of cattle death in 2005.

• Only 0.11% (about 1/10th of 1%) of all cattle losses were due to wolf predation in 2005.
• Coyotes killed more than 22 times more cattle than wolves killed that year.
• Domestic dogs killed almost 5 times as many cattle, and vultures killed almost twice as many cattle as wolves did in 2005.
• Theft was responsible for almost 5 times as many cattle losses as were lost by wolf predation.
• Predation by coyotes was the largest cause of sheep loss in 2005, accounting for 23% of all losses, followed by health problems & weather-related issues

In states with wolf populations, an average of less than 2.5% of sheep loss was due to predation by wolves in 2005.

Causes of Cattle Loss

Nationally
The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently reported the causes of cattle loss in the lower 48 states.

NASS statistics, show that health issues such as respiratory problems, digestive problems, calving complications and disease were overwhelmingly the most significant causes of cattle death in 2005, followed by weather-related issues.

Only 5% of all cattle losses in the continental U.S. in 2005 were attributable to predators. In addition, only 0.11% (about 1/10th of 1%) of all cattle losses in 2005 were due to wolves. Coyotes killed more than 22 times more cattle, domestic dogs killed almost 5 times as many cattle, and vultures killed almost twice as many cattle as wolves did in 2005. Interestingly, theft was responsible for almost 5 times as many cattle losses as were lost by wolf predation.

By State
Data are not available for the exact number of cattle losses due to wolf predation for each state (except Wyoming). In the 2005 NASS report, wolves are grouped into an "other predators" category along with bears, vultures and other carnivores. However, even in states with wolf populations, cattle loss due to predation by "other predators" is negligible. Overall, predation by "other predators" accounts for .7% (less than 1%) of cattle losses in the lower 48 states that contain wolves. The average number of cattle losses specific to wolf predation in these states is less than .7%. This compares to an average of 1.6% of cattle losses due to predation by coyotes and an average of 90% of losses due to non-predator related causes, such as health problems and disease.

Causes of Sheep Loss

Nationally
The 2005 NASS report: This report reveals that wolf predation plays a negligible role in sheep loss nationwide. Predation by coyotes was the largest cause of sheep loss in 2005 (23%), followed by health problems and weather related issues.

By State
The table below compares the percentage of sheep deaths attributable to "other predators," including wolves, in states containing wolf populations. (Specific data on sheep loss due to wolf predation is available only for Montana and Wyoming.) The percentage of sheep lost to "other predators" in states with wolves averaged 2.5%.The average number of sheep losses specific to wolf predation in these states, then, is less than 2.5%.

Conclusion
Throughout the continental U.S., and even in states with large wolf populations, sheep and cattle loss due to wolf predation is very small when compared to other factors.

Sources:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). 2006. Cattle Death Loss & Sheep and Goats Death Loss Reports
Wyoming Field Office.Cattle Losses to All Causes. 2006.
Wyoming Field Office.2006.Wyoming Agricultural Statistics 2006.
Montana Field Office.2006.Montana Agricultural Statistics 2006

Biodiversity Conservation Alliance is proud to work with national conservation organizations like Defenders of Wildlife that recognize that even one loss to an individual rancher can be substantial. Defenders of Wildlife continues to assist with the development of preventative measures to protect livestock. We thank Defenders for providing much of the information provided in this alert.

Here's How You Can Help!

Please Write the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

SAMPLE LETTER

Public Comments Processing
Attn: RIN 1018- AW37
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

November 28, 2008

As someone who cares about protecting wolves in the Greater Yellowstone region and throughout the Northern Rockies, I strongly urge your agency to drop your proposal to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the northern Rockies' amazing wolves.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service take a science and fact-based approach as it reviews the management of wolves in the region.

The original management proposal allows as many as 1,000 wolves to be killed as soon as they lose the protections of the Endangered Species Act. This would allow the killing of up to two thirds of the wolf population. This rapid and drastic reduction in wolf numbers would likely prevent adequate genetic flow and prevent the establishment of sustainable populations.

Unfortunately, the current proposal is the product of a flawed legal process and will likely result in the same types of battles that have plagued wolf management in the past.

Before delisting wolves in the northern Rockies, wolf management plans should include:

• current scientific population analysis and recovery goals that provide for a single naturally well-integrated wolf population rather than three separate subpopulations. Transporting wolves around to artificially duplicate genetic mixing between wolves in the region would be a clear indication that this species is not yet recovered;
• an emphasis on the use of proactive methods (such as guard dogs, range riders, and electrified, portable fencing) to prevent and reduce conflicts with wolves and other carnivores,
• no use of poison or aggressive aerial gunning programs to indiscriminately eliminate large numbers of wolves or their offspring;
• a decision-making process that includes a balanced group of livestock owners, wildlife conservationists, recreationists, hunters and the general public to collectiviely address wolf management issues that are central to the development of a scientifically designed regional wolf recovery plan.

The very least that the State of Wyoming could do is manage wolves a trophy game animals statewide to ensure that killing is at least regulated and managed. Instead, the state's new wolf plan tightens the noose around wolf populations and would continue to allow a free-fire zone outside the Yellowstone area.

I do not and will not support delisting of the gray wolf until all involved states develop strong wolf recovery plans.

I strongly urge you to work with wildlife scientists to revise your plan and to work with wildlife conservationists, ranchers, tourism officials, hunters, and other interested individuals to develop new science-based state wolf management plans.

Thank you for considering my comments.

Your Signature [if sending a letter by mail]

[Name & Address]
[phone # and email address optional]

Please Send Written Comments, Postmarked by

November 28, 2008

to

Public Comments Processing
Attn: RIN 1018- AW37
Division of Policy and Directives Management
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222
Arlington, VA 22203

or
Email comments at: http://www.regulations.gov

Instructions for submitting comments:

At the regulations.gov website enter RIN 1018-AW37 into the search field, check the box next to "Select to find documents accepting comments or submissions" and scroll down to find the following document:

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating the Northern Rocky Mountain Population of Gray Wolf as a Distinct Population Segment and Removing This Distinct Population Segment From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

Immediately below the document name click the "Send a comment or submission" link. You will be asked for your personal information (name, address & etc.). Then you can copy and paste in your pre-prepared comments, type in your comments, or attach your comments.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will not accept comments by regular email.

For more information contact duane@voiceforthewild.org or call 307-742-7978

THANK YOU FOR USING YOUR VOICE FOR THE WILD!