Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center 01/2016 newsletter

· JAN UARY 20 1 6 ·

Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners’ stance opposing release of wolves complicates federal push to prevent wolf extinction

By Bruce Finley · The Denver Post

Colorado wildlife commissioners took a stand opposing the release of wolves in the state, overriding a blitz by pro-wolf groups pressing for ecological benefits of predators.

Colorado’s new posture represents a preemptory challenge to court-ordered U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service efforts to save wolves, an endangered species.

Cattle and sheep industry leaders backed the resolution — commissioners voted 7-4 — banning release of both Mexican wolves and gray wolves.

Colorado still has a policy that it will take care of any wolf that wanders into the state on its own. The issue is intentionally releasing them.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife commissioners said they wanted to support Gov. John Hickenlooper, who on Nov. 13 joined governors of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico in a letter telling Interior Secretary Sally Jewell they oppose Mexican wolf recovery efforts on land where Mexican wolves historically did not exist. That likely includes parts of southwestern Colorado that federal biologists are considering as habitat.

“This does not represent Coloradans.

It does not serve Colorado,” WildEarth Guardians biologist Taylor Jones said. “And it is un-necessarily antagonistic to wolf recovery.”

Federal officials declined to comment.

They’re not required to seek state blessings as they develop a Mexican wolf recovery plan

by the end of 2017 to prevent extinction.

Hickenlooper’s concern was “with their process in developing a recovery plan,” spokeswoman Kathy Green said. That concern is separate, she said, from resolutions state parks and wildlife commissioners considered.

“We are pro wildlife,” state spokesman Matt Robbins said before commissioners heard from both sides.

But pro-wolf demonstrators doubted that, carrying signs and howling in front of commissioners’ facilities in Denver.

“We should kick out cattle. Wolves belong here,” said Kia Bridges of the Boulder Radish Collective. “If you bring back a predator, it puts an ecosystem back the way it is supposed to be. It would get prey animals moving.”

Sierra Club regional wildlife team leader Delia Malone argued that “Colorado needs wolves and wolves need Colorado.” The Sierra Club proposed an alternative resolution: that Colorado should invite introduction of Mexican wolves and re-introduction of gray wolves on habitat in the state.

Colorado Cattlemen vice president Terry Fankhauser supported the state stance.

“Colorado is not appropriate wolf habitat,” Fankhauser said.

“Our human population is too high. And the deer population here is not robust enough to support wolves, which would drive them to eat livestock and pets.”

Kwahadi, Catherine and Zaltana

Colorado turns cold shoulder to endangered wolves

What Colorado Wolf and Wildlife does to be a voice for wolves

CPW Meeting, January 13, 2016 Katie Geist

Star and Luna are very special wolves - Mexican Gray wolves. It is such a pleasure to care for them, and to educate the public about this critically endangered animal. Therefor it was disheartening to learn that Colorado Governor Hickenlooper signed and sent a letter to Sally Jewell, the Secretary of Interior, saying that Colorado does not want Mexican Gray wolves in our state.

I was glad to drive to Denver to attend the Colorado Parks and Wildlife meeting to support Mexican Gray wolf reintroduction. Five CWWC staff members attended. We made posters and handed out “Colorado Needs Wolves” bumper stickers. A large crowd of wolf supporters met on CPW’s front lawn.

However it was quickly apparent that the commissioners had their minds made up to support the Governor’s letter and not to support wolves. Their wildlife biologist’s presentation claimed that Mexican Gray wolves have never been in Colorado, and it voiced concern about diluting Mexican Gray wolf genetics if they move north from New Mexico and run into the” big aggressive gray wolves” moving down from the

northern Rockies. They allowed only the large stake holders to speak, and unfortunately the pro wolf organizations were ineffective in their presentations by not standing up for the wolves strongly enough. No private citizens were allowed to speak even though the crowd was too large for the meeting room. One commissioner spent 1015 minutes showing a slide show of his southern Colorado ranch.

The meeting ended with the CPW commissioners voting to take the harshest stance by opposing wolf reintroduction. Despite this setback we will continue the fight to protect wolves, and to educate the public about what wolves are really like.

Wildlife advocates hold rallies to save Mexican gray wolf CONSERVATION

By: The Associated Press · Published: January 14, 2016

CORNER Gliding just below the waters of the Amazon River there is a dolphin that peacefully calls the fresh waters home. Glistening beautiful hues of pink gives the dolphin its name the Amazon Pink River Dolphin. This dolphin is truly unique because it’s about nine feet long and three hundred pounds paddling its way to the largest fresh water dolphin in the world. Noticed first by their color but then by their large melon heads which does not hold a larger brain but rather an organ to help them echolocate. They thrive by mainly hunting fish through echolocation which is prefect for the murky waters they wade in. The body slides below the shallow river with adaptions of a small dorsal fin and a very flexible body. The Amazon River and its tributaries are happy to call these creatures their home, but for how much longer?

The Amazon is a hidden oasis for many species to seek refuge from the growing human world. However the human world continues to grow making what once was hiding comfortably in the shadows of the large trees exposed.

This can be both a benefit to the Amazon River Dolphins and also a hindrance to their population. They are severely understudied mammal and the population is not definitely known. The estimates are around three hundred to five hundred animals left making them a threatened species. The Amazon Pink River Dolphins are facing rough tides due to degradation of their

habitat and well as pollution. As the Amazon grows with people and dams are being built the dolphin is facing hard times. When people begin damming the Amazon River this fragments the dolphins habitat and also stops migration that once was natural to them. This also stops the flowing river in some areas causing them to dry up greatly impacting the dolphins. As humans begin growing in number fishing becomes more frequent and the pollution greater. Nets are not natural to the Amazon River and the Pink Dolphins are frequently caught in them causing them unspeakable harm and even death. Pollution also slides its way into the rivers as human population creeps up the banks of the river. The mercury run off affects the dolphin because of their preferred prey having large quantities in them. This mercury poisons the dolphin and causes them to no longer thrive and often die. In order to keep the splash pink in the murky rivers of the Amazon we need to learn about these creatures in order to save them.

SALT LAKE CITY — Wildlife advocates chided state government leaders in four Western states recently for trying to keep land out of a potential recovery zone for Mexican gray wolves, an endangered species.

Organizations advocating for the wolves held news conferences and rallies in the capital cities of Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico. They say governors are spreading misinformation in a recent letter to the federal government.

About 25 supporters showed up in Salt Lake City, holding signs that read, “Utah Wants Wolves” and “Utah Needs Wolves.”

Allison Jones, director of the Wild Utah Project, said governors should have consulted with more legal experts and scientists before sending a joint letter in which they claimed science does not show the animals have lived north of Interstate 40. That highway runs through New Mexico and Arizona.

“The debate when it comes to wolves is too often underlain with myth and folklore, none of which has been substantiated by the science,” Jones said.

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert stood behind the letter.

“It would be irresponsible for the federal government to introduce a species of wolf to a region, such as Utah, where it has not historically lived,” Herbert’s spokesman Jon Cox said in a statement.

“Such an action could significantly harm the state’s wildlife, quality of life and economy.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife last year decided to list the Mexican wolf, a smaller subspecies of the gray wolf, as endangered. Federal wildlife officials estimate there are 110 Mexican wolves in the wild, many straddling the Arizona-New Mexico border.

A proposed recovery plan from federal officials for the animal also known as “lobo” is likely a couple of years away, said Greg Sheehan, director of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Scientists, state officials and Mexican government

representatives recently held a meeting in in Arizona to discuss the issue. Two more meetings are planned for this year, including one in Mexico City.

The Utah Wildlife Board recently sent a letter echoing many of the same points the governors made. The board said trying to lure the wolves to Utah would harm the species because the animals would hybridize with Northern gray wolves.

Board members said the state could lose millions of dollars that come from hunting permits because the wolves would prey on deer, elk and moose in some of the state’s finest hunting terrain.

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission this week passed a resolution opposing any possible move by the federal government to introduce Mexican gray wolves to the state, arguing the animals aren’t native to the state and would threaten livestock and big game animals.

Sheehan said recovery of the Mexican gray wolf should focus on the animal’s natural and historic lands in Mexico, allowing it to eat what it has for generations and live in habitat it’s familiar with.

“I don’t fault people for wanting to have wolves in Utah: It is a historic species in the West,” Sheehan said. “But that doesn’t mean we change the real science out there on the Mexican wolf to fabricate ways for how and why they should live here or used to live here.”

Ty Markham of the Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance pointed to theology as justification for opening southern Utah lands for Mexican gray wolf recovery. Her group believes the wolves play a key part in the “divine web of life” that needs to be protected for future generations.

Jones said arguing over the precise historical habitat of the animal should take a back seat to how and where the species can best recover in today’s world.

Spirit Wolf Energetics, LLC Holistic Care for Pets & Their People Healing Touch for Animals · Reiki Craniosacral Therapy · Gem Essences Color Therapy · Aromatherapy I am a compassionate and dedicated practitioner with 16 years of experience providing holistic care for all of the animals in your life in the comfort of their own home. Through the use of gentle and safe holistic therapies, your animals are more relaxed and better able to navigate through life’s challenges.

Some of the ways your animals may benefit include: • Disease prevention and wellness • Improved healing from illness, injury, and surgery • Recovery from physical and emotional trauma • Smoother transition into a new home environment • Relief of stress from separation anxiety and fears • Improved confidence and focus for training or competitions • End-of-life nurturing and support Beth Shemo – HTAP, RMP 719.650.5071 · spiritwolfenergetics@gmail.com

AFTER GROOMING

Feel free to call or email if you have questions about how your animals’ particular needs can be addressed. I look forward to helping your animals live a more balanced and healthy life!

My name is Gruffin. I just got groomed. I am a 9 month old shihtzu/poodle mix. My 3 brothers still look wild and wooly. We all weigh less than 8 pounds. My brothers are getting groomed soon.

We all love people and children and other dogs. I am in a foster home and almost house trained.

Scruffy is a 9-month-old sheltie/collie mix. Loves humans, children and other dogs. His eyes tell you he wants to go home with you.

San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society · slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter · Monetary Donations Always Needed TCRAS · The no-kill shelter in Divide, Colorado

Teller County Regional Animal Shelter · tcrascolorado.com 719.686.7707

The School for the Deaf and Blind come here often and are even making a braille of the tour!

Ashley 3 years old Female Spayed White Domestic Shorthair/ Mix

Lizzie 6 years old Female Spayed White/Black Border Collie/Mix Hello, I’m Ashley. It’s nice to meet ya!

I am looking for a new home! Hey, maybe it could be yours? I don’t take up much space and I’m fun to have around. I love getting pet and doted on like a little princess. So, if you’re looking for a pretty white kitty, you don’t have to look anymore. I’m your girl!

Hi, I’m Lizzie! I would like to let you know that I’m up for adoption and boy am I ready for my own home. I can be assertive with some other dogs so I would need someone to help me out a little with that. I am quite the love bug though, so if you’re looking for a dog that would be your friend...you found her!

Birds in Winter

By Katie Geist Winter is a wonderful time to watch and observe wild birds. Nuthatches, chickadees, finches, juncos, magpies, ravens, nutcrackers, blue jays, woodpeckers and flickers frequent the birdfeeders at my home near CWWC during the cold winter months. We’ve had snow cover and very cold temperatures since November, so I help these beautiful feathered creatures by providing food and water. Many birds will benefit from backyard birdfeeders during the winter. Plus it’s so much fun to watch them, and track the different birds that visit.

I use tube, thistle and hopper feeders with seed varieties that will bring in different species of birds. Suet feeders are also beneficial since they provide fat for energy and warmth.

I also keep water available for birds year round. I simply fill a large plastic plant saucer with water, weigh it down with a rock, and place it on one of the posts on my deck. Of course at this time of year I have to remove the ice daily. It’s worth the effort since it helps the birds, and I get to watch them drink and splash.

The most common birds we see at the Wolf Center

are ravens and magpies. Both are large, raucous birds that live with wolves in the wild too.

I see both birds at my feeders, but they also eat meat. They are always hopeful of sharing some of the dinner and treats that the wolves get.

The wolves usually don’t mind, but occasionally they do.

By the way, how can you tell a raven from a crow? Here’s some helpful information from the Audubon society to help you tell the difference.

Ravens are larger, the size of a red-tailed hawk’s.

They have large bills that look a little scary. Ravens frequently travel in pairs while crows are in larger groups. Ravens’ tails have longer feathers in the middle and will look wedge shaped when flying. Crows have fan shaped tails when aloft since the feathers are the same length. Ravens’ voices are low and croaky.

Na’Vi discovered a treasure – an old frozen piece of meat that he dug out of the snow and was proudly carrying around his enclosure. The ravens were eagerly waiting for him to drop it so that they could steal it for a mid day snack.