Plans to re-introduce wolves to the Colorado landscape are getting closer to fruition. It's a controversial idea - wolves are predators which cull the deer and elk populations. They also enjoy a nice juicy calf now and again. That may not seem like a big problem, unless you raise cattle for a living.
So years of study have already been completed, gaging Colorado's suitability for sustaining a healthy wolf population. The decision to start the re-introduction is entirely political, of course, which means there's no reason to think logic will have any influence on the decision. It gives me some pleasure, then, to see wolves taking matters into their own hands, umm, paws:
Wyoming has 234 wolves; Montana has 182, and Idaho about 340, said Ed Bangs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wolf coordinator. This after the animals were wiped out in the region early last century to protect growing livestock herds.
There are always lone wolves that break off, wandering sometimes hundreds of miles in their attempt to attract a mate and establish a new territory, and they are as likely to choose a calf to eat as a crippled elk.
Already a dozen wolves have been spotted as far south as Interstate 80 near Rawlins and Rock Springs, only a day's trot from Colorado
It looks like sooner or later wolves will make their way down here anyway. I have a simple suggestion for the people pushing for new wolf packs in Colorado. Take donations for a fund to compensate ranchers who lose livestock to wolves. It wouldn't take a huge amount of money, probably a few tens of thousands of dollars, and all sides walk away happy.
It's such a simple idea that I wouldn't be surprised if someone is doing it already.
TO: Walter
RE: Slow Analysis
I recommend we allow normal migration to bring the wolves back to Colorado. We can gauge their impact on other states during this period, before we decide to continue protection or set bounties, again.
I suspect that the first child carried off by one will result in the latter course of action being adopted.
After all...
...don't we put 'children first', in Colorado?
Regards,
Chuck(le)
TO: Walter
RE: Speaking of "Wild Animals"
The Pueblo Chieftain had an interesting article about a woman who was attacked by a mountain lion.
She bears the cat 'no malice'. After all, it was only hungry.
Looks like a candidate for the Darwin Awards to me....
Regards,
Chuck(le)
Are you nuts? You must be an urban creature. How about grizzleys next? We can all live in steel towers and let Mother Nature have the rest.
I thinks it's a great idea for wolves to come back o Colorado. I mean, wolves were here first. who gve us the power to say what animals can live here and what animals to kill. grizlies should come back also. and actually, i think humans should live in metal towers an let mother nature have the rest!