Groups seek wolf ‘pardon’

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, June 23, 2010

The Hells Canyon Preservation Council and Cascadia Wildlands Project have submitted a clemency appeal to Gov. Ted Kulongoski asking him to spare the lives of two endangered gray wolves.

In a three-page letter dated June 16 and signed by HCPC Executive Director Greg Dyson, the council claims that some Wallowa County landowners were “uncooperative when it comes to properly disposing of their dead livestock and reducing attractants.” He also said that a non-lethal step (harming but not killing a wolf as a means of harassment) authorized by the Oregon Wolf Plan had been skipped.

In a press release dated the same day, Dyson went further, saying “Livestock growers in Northeast Oregon are responsible for attracting the wolves to the area,” and positing the theory that “Killing two wild animals for acting within their nature will not work to deter future livestock loss.”

Oregon Wild has also issued a plea for amnesty for the two wolves on their website and in a press release sent to newspapers around the state.

In a press released dated June 18 Oregon Wild stated that conservationists believe the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is violating the Oregon Wolf Management Plan by extending the kill order despite the fact that no new livestock depredations have occurred since June 4.

Oregon Wild is currently involved in a suit to return the wolf to the federal endangered species list in Montana where Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) estimates there are 525 wolves in 2009. Montana allowed a wolf hunt last year, harvesting 72 wolves. The MFWP expects to allow another hunt in 2010.

Oregon Wild also characterized the response of Wallowa County ranchers as “hysteria” and claimed ranchers did not uniformly instigate non-lethal techniques such as burying dead piles, using radio activated alarms, and putting up fladry fencing.

ODFW, for its part, praised rancher’s efforts in using non-lethal methods. A RAG, radio activated warning device, was issued to rancher Karl Patton of Joseph after he reported wolves in his cattle March 26. Another device was set up near the Schaafsma farm after wolves were repeatedly sighted in or near cattle on several ranches in the area. ODFW has only the two RAG devices to distribute.

ODFW is currently reviewing the Oregon Wolf Plan. To comment, please send an email to (ODFW.Comments@state.or.us). By June 30.