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September 10, 2009 Opinions |
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—Editorial—
Wolf Kill Order — What Took So Long?
We applaud the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for their recent decision to issue a kill order on the two wolves involved in killing livestock in the Keating area. And also for giving the ranchers (the Jacobs) a permit to kill the wolves.
Federal hunters have since terminated the wolves, but we do see some room for improvement in this process.
Ranchers deal with all kinds of predators including coyotes, cougars and bears, and they understand that comes with the territory. But the wolf is different. The most notable difference is that since it’s listed under the ESA in Oregon, ranchers can’t effectively defend their livestock against wolves, at least without straying outside of the confines of the law.
It was verified after the incidents in April by evidence and trail cameras that it was the two wolves that killed 24 of Jacobs’ sheep and it was confirmed that they were also responsible for three other attacks since then. So at this point why did the wolves still need to be caught in the act of attacking livestock before Jacobs could shoot them with the permit? We feel that the ODFW permit was too restrictive.
A shoot on sight order would have made more sense and would not have risked the loss of more livestock. After all, wolves don’t typically pay a “social” visit to sheep pens just to see how the wool’s hanging — and we know they don’t circle the area like buzzards waiting to take advantage of something that just happens to drop dead. Wolves are carnivorous predators and as such, they kill and eat other animals. And sometimes, like in the majority of the Jacobs’ sheep that were attacked, they just kill.
The federal trappers were going to kill the wolves anyway so it seems pointless that the wolves had to be attacking livestock before the ranchers could take the same kind of action.
But our main gripe is — what took so darn long to issue the order and the permit? Thirty domestic livestock were killed by these wolves in five separate incidents, with the first happening in April and the latest happening in August. They should have been stopped immediately after the first 24.
Little Red Riding Hood found out the hard way that wolves couldn’t be trusted. Aesop even knew you couldn’t have wolves near sheep. And after the first incident on the Jacobs’ ranch, the chances of them killing livestock again were better than 99 percent.
To their credit, the ODFW did try to haze them away from the area and they did radio collar one of the wolves to keep track of them. They also spent a lot of time helping the Jacobs implement ways to defend their livestock. But like a dog hanging on to a bone, a wolf can’t easily be shooed away from an all -ou-can-eat mutton buffet.
Although we feel the ODFW could have acted faster in this situation, they are not to blame for the problem.
Oregon hasn’t been home to wolves for more than 60 years and there is a good reason for this: wolves can’t co-exist with domestic livestock. Those who wanted to reintroduce the gray wolf to the northwestern states now have to watch this animal be disposed of one by one as they learn, once again, wolves, sheep and cattle don’t mix.
The wolf is a beautiful animal worthy of a place on earth, but it’s really sad that those who claim to love the wolf would want to see it subjected to being hunted down and destroyed by federal trappers. Because it appears this will be the fate of many gray wolves in years to come. Those who claim to be defenders of wildlife, including state and federal agencies, aren’t doing the wolf any favors by throwing it into situations where the odds are stacked so implicitly against its survival. (DS)
—Letters To The Editor—
Suggestions For The Proposed Court Street Park
To The Record-Courier:
I was disappointed after seeing the proposed drawing of the Court Street block, between Main and Resort street.
The scene showing trees and benches only, didn't appeal to me.
I would very much like to see a drinking fountain there, like those that formerly graced Main Street. Surely if tourists seek to relax at the Court street facility, a bubbling fountain would add to their pleasure. Plus it would advertise Baker's pure mountain water.
Furthermore I suggest a huge oversized replica of a gold pan, 6 - 8 feet high to be erected and placed in upright position.
It would be an attraction typifying our connection to the past, and I visualize many souvenir photos being taken with the huge pan as a backdrop.
(Our local Iron Works could be a source.)
I didn't attend planning meetings, however, I really would like these suggestions considered seriously.
Phyllis Badgley
Baker City, Ore.
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