JANUARY 2018
Colorado Wolf AND WILDLIFE CENTER
Attacks on Endangered Species in the 2018 Budget Bill
Coyote Progress Report -Stacey (Staff)
By Alexa Sample, Esq.
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The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization certified by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for this logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The contents of the material we include in our newsletter does not necessarily reflect the views of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. We collect information from sources that are from other organizations, the web, news feeds, and/or other sources. We choose articles that are in the related field of education and conservation.
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The next few months could decide the future of endangered species in this country, and here’s why. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, often referred to as the ESA, is a remarkably foresighted law passed by a republican president and majority democratic congress. It has lead to 27 species fully recovering with another 30 close to reaching that mark. It may also be sole reason that over 1,600 listed species still survive today. The ESA framework puts recovery and decisions and tools firstly in the hands of scientists in the US Fish and Wildlife Service. However, in recent years, some politicians have decided that they know better than the wildlife experts how to recover endangered species. In 2011, a rider on a federal budget bill snuck in language that delisted wolves from ESA protections in Montana, Idaho and parts of eastern Washington and Oregon. Since 2011, more than 4,800 wolves have been legally killed under state management schemes in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. This is in addition to legal kills by landowners and lethal control by wildlife managers. This year, congress is going to try this trick again. Budget bill H.R.3354, which provides funding for various administrative agencies for 2018 will require the Department of the Interior, the agency which houses the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to delist wolves in the Great Lakes without consideration of science and no opportunity for the courts to examine the legality of the decision. Another section prohibits the Department from using funds to treat any grey wolf in the contiguous 48 states as an endangered or threatened species under the ESA. This means that struggling wolf populations like the last approximately 110 Mexican Grey Wolves will be left with no support. If that happens, we may lose these species forever. Additionally, the Department is effectively stripped of its power to review state management of wolves and take back control when necessary if states fail to manage wolves responsibly. This is a dangerous precedent for all wildlife. If allowed, it could mean that any species that gets crossways with an industry that has a politician’s ear could be subject to forced extinction. If you agree that science not politics should control species recovery, please contact your elected representatives. Tell them not to support any legislation that attempts to bypass the ESA. Calling them is easy using the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121. If you are on twitter, following #stopextinction will connect you to many organizations that can support you in acting on this issue. Many have letters already prepared that you can sign and send to your legislator. We must act now to save our wolves and uphold respect for this law for so many of our imperiled wildlife before it is too late!
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As the weather changes we are always observant to the synonymous changes in our animals’ behaviors. Some become more active and frisky. One of the animals I have been working with daily, who has been featured in previous newsletters, has become extremely interactive with me with the incoming winter. As many may remember, our newest rescue coyote, Sky, was very standoffish and nervous when he first arrived here in May. Today, he loves interaction and games that involve two players rather than just one—such as chase and tetherball. His body language has also changed tremendously, as yesterday he was ever so slightly wagging the tip of his tail and whining as I entered his enclosure to play. One of the most important aspects of caring for these animals is providing mental stimulation. In the case of coyotes, much like cats, they can become bored very easily. Sky has been letting me know that he needs newer things to do, play with and discover. We have been providing brand new items such as hides that the wolves had played with so that he has new textures to chew on (and to clean his teeth) and new smells to smell and roll in. He also enjoyed a large bag of leaves that we brought in for him to play and dive into. He thoroughly enjoyed the leaves—so much so that he has made a new bed out of them. On top of the toys and enrichment Sky receives, I have also been working at building my relationship with him. We recently had a breakthrough interaction where he allowed me to pick him up and set him back down. Eventually, he comfortably allowed me to carry him around his enclosure, and we have done this many times since. I hope to soon begin work with harness training Sky so that he can explore new surroundings, and to continue these “progress reports” so that we can all better our understanding of this special little coyote.
WOLF II Hearing in Larimer County On December 4, many CWWC staff, Larimer County citizens, and wolf supporters came together to show our love and support for our friends at W.O.L.F. Sanctuary as they presented an appeal to move to a new location in Red Feather Lakes. By the end of a very long night, we were very excited that the board voted yes and approved W.O.L.F. to begin relocating their current residents to the new location. This relocation was extremely important for the safety of the animals, as they currently reside in what we call a “risk canyon”—vulnerable to extreme flash flooding, fires, etc. Not only this, but W.O.L.F. will also be able to expand their outreach to the public in their mission to education about wolves and wolfdogs.
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On January 18th, Sakara had a Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) procedure. It has been used on dogs and humans for certain injuries that involve torn ligaments, muscle tissue, and tendons. Sakara was diagnosed with chronic Achilles tendonitis on her left hind ankle which in turn curled her toes under as she would stand or walk on that foot. It is a condition that, if left untreated, can continue to worsen and start to affect the other ankle due to compensating for the injury. The result would be devastating as, in time, she would not be able to walk at all. In dogs, surgery can be performed to repair the injured tendon and a cast would be placed on the area to stabilize and not cause further damage to the affected area while healing took place. However, a wolf is a little different. A wolf will not tolerate a cast and therefore, treatment is more challenging. I had researched stem-cell therapy (SCT) and inquired about it for her condition. SCT is a bit more complicated as it involves removing bone marrow or fat and sending it off which requires more sedative actions and additional time. I was told about PRP and learned that it can be just as effective as SCT. Please note that some patients may not respond with this procedure while some respond very well. This procedure is still considered experimental from my research. However since there has been some success, I felt it necessary to at least give this therapy a try. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) can also be used in conjunction with PRP. ESWT is a noninvasive method that is non-surgical and has become an emerging new technology for treating musculoskeletal problems and soft tissue injuries in both dogs and horses. How does it work? It sends sonic pulses that use high energy acoustic waves paired with a high peak pressure. ESWT can be painful and so it was perfect to do both treatments in one afternoon while Sakara was sedated.
Both treatments (PRP and ESWT) were performed on both ankles as Dr. David Volz had seen evidence of inflammation in both ankles on x-rays. After the procedure was completed, Sakara was released back into her enclosure. Kelly, a technician from the Colorado Canine Orthopedics in Colorado Springs, performed the ESWT. Kelly informed us that it usually takes about 1 week before any results would be seen, if any, depending on the patient. I checked on Sakara the next morning and the curl was gone from her toes! She, of course, still limped and favored that leg, but it was amazing to see results in only one day! We have been taking photos and videotaping her progress so that we can keep a journal of her possible recovery. She will have to repeat this treatment in 3 weeks to give her the best chance we can. As I write this, 3 days have passed and Sakara is still improving. Her improvement so far may be slow, but it is improvement nonetheless. Time will only tell how effective this new therapy will be to help Sakara. If she does recover, we intend to share her progress with various organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), veterinarian offices, and social media in hopes that more animals may be a good candidate for this therapy. We do know that as science advances, there will be a day that injuries, cancer, and other ailments may be just a trip to the doctor to feel better and begin healing. Please keep reading our future newsletters as I will continue to keep you updated. If you have questions, please feel free to ask them. We will research and let you know what we learn. Thank you, Darlene Kobobel Cheers and many thanks to the veterinarians and staff who have given us hope for Sakara. Our deepest gratitude to:
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) During the past several years, much has been written about a preparation called platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and its potential effectiveness in the treatment of injuries.
What Is Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP)? Although blood is mainly a liquid (called plasma), it also contains small solid components (red cells, white cells, and platelets.) The platelets are best known for their importance in clotting blood. However, platelets also contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors which are very important in the healing of injuries. PRP is plasma with many more platelets than what is typically found in blood. The concentration of platelets — and, thereby, the concentration of growth factors — can be 5 to 10 times greater (or richer) than usual. To develop a PRP preparation, blood must first be drawn from a patient. The platelets are separated from other blood cells and their concentration is increased during a process called centrifugation. Then the increased concentration of platelets is combined with the remaining blood.
How Does PRP Work? Although it is not exactly clear how PRP works, laboratory studies have shown that the increased concentration of growth factors in PRP can potentially speed up the healing process. To speed healing, the injury site is treated with the PRP preparation. This can be done in one of two ways: • PRP can be carefully injected into the injured area. For example, in Achilles tendonitis
PRP injection for tennis elbow Chronic Tendon Injuries The use of PRP for other chronic tendon injuries — such as chronic Achilles tendonitis or inflammation of the patellar tendon at the knee is promising. Acute Ligament and Muscle Injuries Much of the publicity PRP therapy has received has been about the treatment of acute sports injuries, such as ligament and muscle injuries. PRP has been used to treat professional athletes with common sports injuries like pulled hamstring muscles in the thigh and knee sprains. There is no definitive scientific evidence, however, that PRP therapy actually improves the healing process in these types of injuries.
Animal Clinic of Woodland Park Dr. David Volz and Terry Collins 801 U.S. 24 · Woodland Park Colorado Canine Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Dr. Michael Bauer DVM, Kelly Best and Shea Keeney 5520 N. Nevada Ave. · Colorado Springs, CO. Rocky Top Veterinary Service Dr. Britt Stubblefield DVM and Maria Cardona 2661 Slater Creek Rd. · Florissant, CO. 80816
An injection of PRP is used to treat tennis elbow Courtesy Allan K. Mishra, MD, Menlo Park, CA.
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The Wolf is a profound account detailing the return of the world’s most enduring carnivore Nate Blakeslee’s book is as much a report on the deep divisions within contemporary America as it is a tale about wolves. Mark Cocker - New Statesman
The author of this deeply informed yet fast-paced and deftly structured book suggests that in the long, bloodsoaked story of wolves and humans, the rise of agriculture was decisive. About 12,000 years ago, the world’s most successful terrestrial mammal became the enemy-in-chief to the second most widespread. By day, wolves threatened our livestock. By night, they haunted our nightmares. There could really be only a single outcome. It has entailed the relentless extermination of one by the other, yet the largest single loss of territory in the shortest possible time has to be the grey wolf’s extirpation from almost all of the lower 48 states of the United States. In barely three centuries, wolves were cleared from three million square miles, with a surviving relic population only in a forested belt from Michigan to Minnesota. The most shocking part of the process occurred in Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, whose vast areas of montane forest were not only perfect for wolves but had enjoyed protection since 1872 as the world’s oldest national park. Here at least, one might imagine, the eerie nocturnal music of the Canis lupus might be tolerated. But in 1926, Yellowstone also fell silent. The irony was that the killing was done not by ranchers, hunters or fur trappers but by the very people tasked with defending Yellowstone’s pristine character – the park rangers. It is a measure of the volte-face that conservationists have since performed on the issue of the wolf’s essential place in America’s wilderness that in 1995 they began to work towards the species’s return. That this was then met – and continues to be met – by opposition from almost every other rural constituency is an index of how little has changed in matters of wolves and men. Nate Blakeslee’s tale of the Yellowstone reintroduction is an account of three types of unremitting hunter. First, there are the wolves, and it is remarkable to observe how quickly they took to the park, as well as its long inflated elk herds. Within a short time, there were 1,700 wolves spread across the three neighbouring states of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.
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One striking aspect of the rise of this top predator was the way that almost everything changed. True, the elk (the same species as British red deer) were brought to within more healthy population limits, but pronghorn antelopes increased, as did grizzly bears. The elk losses led to reductions in grazing pressure and, thus, a rapid expansion of riverine woodland. This then brought more beavers, which triggered improvements to all the river systems. There was also a massive reduction in the wolf’s competitor the coyote, which led to a big expansion of rodent populations and then, in turn, more owls, hawks, foxes, weasels, and so on. In short, the entire ecosystem has been rebooted and Yellowstone has flourished like never before. Another kind of hunter that has increased with the rise of the wolves is the human devotee who watches them. These obsessive naturalists, armed with cameras and spotting telescopes, seem to spend almost every waking hour either studying lupine behaviour or logging it on personal blogs and Facebook pages. It is they as much as the wolves who are the stars of Blakeslee’s story, especially a ranger called Rick McIntyre. He has spent more time in the company of wild wolf packs than any other human on Earth. McIntyre now almost never leaves the park and, over an intensive threeyear period, saw wolves every day on 891 consecutive occasions. His diaries of these encounters run to five million words, and it is part of Blakeslee’s achievement to have encouraged this lone wolf among men to share his experiences so freely. Alas, McIntyre’s form of wolf obsession has it counterpart in a more conventional kind of hunter, whose lead representative passes by the pseudonym Steven Turnbull. Turnbull bears a profound grudge against wolves and those who have championed their return for detracting from the pleasure of shooting surplus elk numbers. He has his revenge when he legally slaughters an alpha female called O-Six, which was described by a New York Times correspondent as the world’s most famous wolf.
It is a mark of the narrator’s skill that we feel the tragedy of this violent story, while understanding the motivations and even sympathising with its human perpetrator. Blakeslee also pans away from this microdrama in the soaring, snow-capped landscapes of Yellowstone to show us how the issues surrounding wolves affect all of American society. Everyone seems to have an opinion about the animals and many of them are very antagonistic. As the author notes, the reintroduction of humankind’s arch enemy is as loaded with politics as abortion, gun control and war in the Middle East. What ultimately makes this book so satisfying is that it is as much an account of the deep divisions within contemporary America as it is a tale about the world’s most enduring carnivore.
News articles of interest that you should google and research Shark fin soup now illegal in Nevada Cold weather impacting Florida sea turtles and manatees Frigid Temperatures Are Causing Iguanas In Florida To Fall From Trees Trump plans to expand offshore drilling, Monterey Bay could be impacted (Monterey Bay Aquarium) California, again, ranks as the nation’s most humane state, while the Dakotas, Mississippi at bottom of list
New Year’s Day Super Moon: What Is the Wolf Moon and When Is It Happening?
Moon enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in 2018, and that started the very first day of the year. That’s because thanks to a fluke alignment between the lunar cycle and our calendar cycle, we started off the new year with a brand new full moon. January’s first full moon, which is nicknamed the Wolf Moon, peaked on January 1, at 9:24 p.m. ET, although it appeared full and bright for the days immediately surrounding the new year as well. Although there are still cultures that peg their calendars to the lunar cycle as well as Earth’s seasons, the Gregorian calendar that is most commonly used today does not. That means that it’s a complete coincidence that this year’s very first full moon fell on the first night of the year. January’s full moon is also often referred to as the Wolf Moon, under the system of full moon names originally used by New England’s native Algonquin tribes. Other nicknames for the first full moon of the year include Holiday Moon among the Chinese; in the southern hemisphere, where January marks early summer instead of early winter, it is often known as the Hay Moon, the Buck Moon or the Thunder Moon. The fact that the full moon arrived so early in January, it also opens up the month to a second full moon, called a blue moon. The phenomenon is unusual, but perhaps not as unusual as the saying would suggest: Because the lunar cycle plays out over the course of about 29.5 days, it’s completely feasible to fit a second full moon in a month with 31 days, like January. That blue moon, which will also mark a lunar eclipse, will arrive on January 31. COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 7 |
Klamath free of wolf attacks in 2017 By STEPHEN FLOYD - H&N Staff Reporter
Humphead Wrasse If you were to spot a Humphead Wrasse in the wild you’d probably feel a mixture of disgust, fear and awe. These are huge, ugly fish that could possibly remind you of your slightly overweight uncle who tells bad jokes at Thanksgiving dinner. They have thick lips and a big bump on their foreheads (hence the name). Humphead Wrasse, or Cheilinus undulatus, are also really cool. They can be bright blueish-green or purplish-blue, grow over 6 feet long and reach 400 pounds! Males live as long as 25 and females can be over 30 years old. And get this; these fish are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change sexes. Females can and often do become males later in life, around the age of 9 or 10. It’s not yet known why they change sexes but they’re in good company as other wrasse, as well as many other species of fish, are also hermaphroditic. Humphead Wrasse make an awesome contribution to the coral reefs where they live in the form of what they eat; they are one of only a handful of animals that can ingest the crown-of-thorns starfish. These starfish have toxic spines and eat coral polyps, essentially destroying the hab-
itat of thousands of animals and making the Wrasse a hero for making them a popular item on the menu. Unfortunately for the Humphead Wrasse, they themselves are a very popular menu item for many countries in Southeast Asia and are considered a luxury food. It doesn’t help that Wrasse numbers are very low in the wild, though no definitive population numbers are currently known. What is known is that they are far from common and populations are far from dense, with as few as 10 fish per 10,000 square meters of reef. Humphead Wrasse do not sexually mature until later in life and that, combined with overfishing, predictable breeding grounds, juvenile fish being most popular for consumption, and last but not least, destruction of coral reefs all over the world, put these guys on the Endangered Species List and in serious danger of becoming extinct. So while they may not be the most attractive things in the ocean they are important and they are in trouble. There are many organizations striving to protect these and many other animals, including the World Wildlife Fund, where individuals can help with the effort through donations, symbolic adoptions, etc.
iucnredlist.org/details/4592/0 · scrfa.org/humphead-wrasse.html aqua.org/explore/animals/humphead-wrasse · worldwildlife.org/species/humphead-wrasse
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January BBQ bashThank you all for participating and going the fun
For the first time on record, Klamath County has not received a report of wolf depredation within its borders for an entire year, despite livestock attacks nearby in recent weeks. During a meeting recently of the Klamath County Wolf Depredation Advisory Council, committee members said they were not requesting reimbursements funds from the state for 2017 because no livestock losses were reported during that time. Commissioner Donnie Boyd, county liaison to the council, said this was an example of the council achieving its purpose to reduce local wolf attacks. “I think it’s great,” he said. “I think the goal is to not have any livestock loss.” The council was formed in 2013 in response to an increase in wolf activity in Oregon. Their goal was to use non-lethal methods to deter wolves and to distribute reimbursement funds from the state to livestock owners impacted by wolves. The county did not keep a record of wolf attacks until after the council was formed. Lani Hickey, environmental resource manager for county public works, said 2017 was the first year since the council was formed that no wolf depredation was reported. Without a need to reimburse ranchers, she said the council can dedicate grant funding this year to education and prevention, including public workshops to teach residents more about wolves. This announcement came shortly after a series of depredations in Jackson County carried out by the Rogue Pack. Though the pack’s territory includes parts of Klamath County, wildlife officials said Rogue wolves typically winter in Jackson County. In the interest of continuing to prevent local wolf attacks, the council approved moving forward with the purchase of a tilt trailer for the removal of dead livestock. Hickey said the trailer would not be simply for animals attacked by wolves, but any carcass that may attract the predators. She said the county would purchase the trailer at an estimated cost of $7,830 from Frontier Trailer Sales & Service, then transfer the title to the state, who would be in a better position to respond to needs for carcass transportation. The funding would come from a state grant awarded last year. COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 9 |
ADOPTION CORNER
ADOPTION CORNER
Available from TCRAS · Teller County Regional Animal Shelter
Available from San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society
tcrascolorado.com · 719.686.7707 · NO-KILL shelter in Divide, Colorado
slvaws.org · 719.587.woof (9663) · Non-Profit NO-KILL Shelter
4 y 1 m 28 d · Male/Neutered Black Bulldog, American/Retriever, Labrador Hi. My name is Malcolm. I am a big boy with a great big heart. I would love to find my forever home. Please don’t let my size fool you, I am a love bug. I get along with others, but would like to meet my new playmate before we go home together. So please come and meet me.
6 y 0 m 26 d · Male/Neutered Silver/Grey Persian/Mix Hi. My name is Bryce. I am looking for a forever home. I am such a handsome boy with lots of love to give. I know my house manners. I would look so good in a sunny spot or a lap where we can take naps together. | 10 | COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER
Can you help Maximus? We have had Maximus for one year. He needs a back knee TPLO (tibial-plateau-leveling-osteotomy) for which we have raised donations. What is holding back the surgery is Maximus does not have a foster who could rehabilitate him for 12 weeks, perhaps a foster who would like to adopt him. Great with people and children. He weighs 90 lbs and best as an only pet. The first 6 weeks of rehab would be the most crucial. Please call the San Luis Valley Animal Welfare Society at 719-587-WOOF (9663) if you can help or have any suggestions for this guy who was saved from being euthanized when a rescue was shut down.
PHOENIX is a sweet dog who literally rose up out of the ashes. When her family’s homestead burned down, and they moved away, Phoenix and her puppies were left behind to fend for themselves. They wandered the countryside hungry and freezing until some neighbors alerted us to a need for their rescue. Phoenix has now weaned her pups and is ready for a new life. She was spayed on 1/17/18. She is a wonderful dog. Though she is timid at the moment, no doubt due to the trauma she has recently endured, we expect she will grow more confident with each passing day. We do know this: Phoenix is a braveheart. She is a survivor. She has been a loving mother. Phoenix deserves a ton of love and pampering given what she has been through. She deserves to be quickly adopted.
ADOPTION FAIR Saturdays 11am-5pm at the Petco in Colorado Springs at 5020 N. Nevada COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER | 11 |
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