 |
| 1 |
Government officials state the purpose of the aerial wolf removal program is to “manage specific packs or individuals where predation is likely preventing the recovery of wildlife populations threatened by wolf predation” (Blake 2017). Research has shown that wolves in the South Selkirk area of British Columbia have killed 11% of the caribou herd in previous months, and in the South Peace area, wolves have been responsible for killing 37% of adult caribou. The culling plans are to decrease the packs by 120-160 individuals in South Peace and 24 in South Selkirk. So far, the results from South Peace show that caribou calves have an increased survival rate since the aerial wolf program has been initiated (Blake 2017).
 |
| 2 |
Where do I stand? I stand in the middle. I feel that, given the situation, hunters and trappers should have the opportunity to help control populations which, in turn, benefits them and the species involved (ethically!). This would amount in less controversy and could possibly open doors to the public getting involved in habitat restoration for the caribou, even if they were anti-hunters. On the flip side, if culling one species to a given extent is the most productive and cost friendly way to protect a declining threatened species, then the program should be initiated with specific regulations to avoid potential disasters. Opinions aside, it is always critical to educate yourself on a topic before you become biased. Making a quick judgement based on a drastic title or illegitimate facts will deter you from seeing the other side of the story. So, where do you stand?
Citations:
Blake, Jamila. 2017. British Columbia may expand aerial wolf removals. <http://wildlife.org/british-columbia-may-expand-aerial-wolf-removals/>. Accessed 24 February 2017.
NGO’s outraged as BC government admits culling of wolves is inhumane, yet considers cull expansion. 2017.<https://www.scribd.com/document/337112926/Collaborative-Wolf-Media-Release-Jan-20-2017#from_embed>. Accessed 28 February 2017.
Images:
Hi Sam, you did an excellent job on you blog post, and it was on a very interesting topic. In my opinion, this is not a very ethical way of taking these animals. I completely agree with you on this topic. I believe they should get the public, hunters, and trappers involved to control the population and get their numbers to where they want. This not only would get the public interested, but it is also an ethical way of taking these animals.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post Sam!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, I think it can be both but I don't think it is very ethical. I don't believe this is considered a fair chase. I agree with Chandler, they should open it up to the public more. I also feel that aerial hunting could take more wolves than they should. It could possibly harm the population of wolves.
Sam this is very interesting! I am with you on this one, I'm in the middle with my view points. I understand that the woodland caribou are threatened so something needs to be done to help them rebound. I would also like to bring up a related issue of sharp shooting deer in urbanized areas where deer hunting isn't allowed but deer numbers are way too high for what the habitat can support. Now in that case the sharp shooters are trained professionals that are trained to make lethal shots. With that being said if these sharp shooters for the wolves are trained I do not see how this is unethical, my only concern is what do they do with the carcasses then? Also maybe they haven't got hunters involved because they need to harvest a lot of wolves in a short period of time? I guess I am leaning more in favor of the sharp shooting, but I would like to know more facts on this issue.
ReplyDeleteSam, I feel that this is a very interesting topic. I feel that the aerial wolf removal could be a great idea if executed properly. If the population of wolves is growing to a number that is causing them to impact the threatened caribou herd more than in the past I believe that an increase in the wolf harvest is a necessity. Aerial harvest may be a little overboard but other means of harvest should be considered.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post, Sam! After considering all the facts you provided us, I think I stand in the middle with you, Shaina, Alec and Chandler. The aerial wolf removal program has indeed been positively impacting the woodland caribou species, but I do not think that this is the most ethical means of culling the threat wolves pose to the caribou. Opening hunting and trapping of the species to the public is definitely a solution that should be considered. Getting the public, hunters and trappers involved in controlling the wolf population would be more ethical, ease the controversy and get more citizens involved in understanding and assisting in wildlife management.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic my stance about it is also in the middle. I do think that if they are threatening the caribou population something should be done.I don't think that aerial harvest is necessarily the solution for the problem. An increase in the wolf harvest is a necessity
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you on being caught somewhere in the middle. If the removal of gray wolves is being done to conserve certain regions holding caribou with a positive population increase it should be done. I do not agree in the procedure in which it is being done, if it is unethical and there is suffering it is simply not humane. I understand it is a inexpensive form of removal, but there should be other considerations in how they are removed with fewer issues. Relocating can be very expensive and a dangerous procedure, and wildlife sharp shooters are also expensive and a huge effort. Removal of wolves in those regions should be maintained but only in a different and more humane way.
ReplyDeleteSam, I fully agree with you on the management aspect of getting hunters and trappers involved in the efforts. Hunting them from a helicopter seems unethical to me. There's no sport in the practice and quite honestly is probably way more expensive than providing opportunities to the public. Although getting hunters and trappers may take more time, eventually I think it will be more effective and less economically straining. You did a great job on this very interesting topic.
ReplyDelete