September 2012 newsletter

SEPTEMBER 路 OCTOBER 2012

kisses from Micah

Codi, a new addition to the CWWC family, did his first set of youth photos on September 2nd! He greeted them with lots of kisses!

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

Project Wolf takes on Wyoming Aims to get state to keep gray wolves on endangered species list

By Norma Engelberg · nengelberg@ourcoloradonews.com

Darlene Kobobel is passionate about wolves. As the owner of the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide, she has made a career out of rescuing wolves, wolf-dog hybrids and even a few coyotes, coy-dogs and fox.

Now she and her nonprofit organization, whose mission is preservation, education and conservation, have set their sights on another project. Project Wolf is an answer to Wyoming’s desire to remove the gray wolf from the endangered species list. Delisting wolves would allow hunters and wildlife services to shoot or trap the animals to the point where only 10 breeding pairs would exist outside of Yellowstone National Park. Other northern and Great Lakes states have already delisted wolves and are allowing hunters to decimate wolf populations.

“This isn’t wolf management,” Kobobel said. “This is slaughter. If the federal government allows Wyoming to delist its wolves, anyone will be able to shoot them on sight in about 90 percent of the state and they’ll be able to lure Yellowstone wolves out of the park to kill them too.”

The federal governments final decision to approve Wyoming’s delisting of the gray wolf came down on Aug. 31. Several environmental groups have already made plans to take the issue to court.

According to the Wolf and Wildlife Center July newsletter, to get the project started the center bought a billboard that outlines the wolves’ plight in Wyoming.

This billboard was placed about 50 miles from Yellowstone on the Wyoming side.

The project’s goal is to raise $6,000 by spring to put up another billboard on a different approach to the park that draws

more than 3 million visitors each year, many of whom come specifically to hear and see the wolves.

“Wolves do kill cattle sometimes but not as often as people think,” Kobobel said.

“Only about 1 percent of cattle are killed by wolves and the cattle owners are reimbursed. There are nonlethal ways to control predation. We should be spending money on research into those methods and not just allow people to kill wolves indiscriminately.”

While shooting wolves is bad enough, Kobobel is incensed at the other methods being brought back to kill wolves: leg-hold traps, snares and even poisons.

“Are we going back to the 19th century?” she asked. “In 10 years we won’t have any predators in this country.”

Anyone interested in helping Project Wolf is encouraged to send a check to CWWC-Project Wolf, P.O. Box 713, Divide, CO 80814; or call 719-687-9742 to make a credit card donation.

A keystone species Wolves are what many scientists call a keystone species. According to University of Washington zoologist Robert T. Paine, who developed the keystone species hypothesis in the 1960s, “a keystone species is one whose impacts on its community or ecosystem are large and greater than would be expected from its relative abundance or total biomass.”

He said people don’t notice how important some of these species are to their environments until they are removed. This is exactly what happened in Yellowstone National Park.

Until the second half of the 19th century, wolves were abundant throughout

the West from Alaska to Mexico but by the end of the century most of their prey animals, bison, elk, deer and moose, had been depleted by human settlers and they began to prey on cattle and sheep. At the insistence of farmers and ranchers, the federal government began an eradication campaign against the gray wolf that left virtually no wolf populations in the Lower 48 States by the 1930s.

The removal of wolves had a ripple effect on the ecology. Without their apex predator, elk and, to lesser extent, deer populations soared and overgrazing of aspen and willow caused these trees to go into a rapid decline. This in turn led to a rapid decline in beaver and songbird populations. By browsing along streams, the elk were affecting stream bank stability. Overgrazing along streams led to a decline in shade, streams became warmer and certain fish populations went into decline.

After the advent of the Endangered Species Act in 1966, the gray wolf was one of the first animals listed. A 1973 revision called for the restoration of the wolf to its former range and they were reintroduced into Yellowstone in three waves from 1995-1997. In just a few years, scientists have already begun to see the regrowth of aspen and willow and a return of beaver and songbirds where the wolves have their packs.

Environmentalists and many scientists feel that delisting wolves and allowing their populations to decline again will lead to declines in other animal and plant populations, as well. Others say that delisting wolves will make state wolf-management programs more effective.

For both sides of this issue, visit:

howlingforjustice.wordpress.com · wildearthguardians.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7553 Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

PHOTOS

Roger and Roxanne from Georgia spending time with Na’vi

A beautiful fall day in Colorado

What an accomplishment!

Mike designed and built the framework for the solar panels on our visitor center.

Our center now stays around 70 degrees with the heat off because the concrete is heated through radiant tubes under the floor. We should have a warmer building to work in this winter and save on the electric bill!

Thank you Taylor and Pat for helping to install the tubes with Mike.

That roof is a scary angle.

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

CALENDAR

CWWC special events : these tours and events are in addition to our standard 10am, noon, 2pm and 4pm tours

FULL MOON TOUR OCTOBER 27

FEEDING FEST TOUR Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday CALL FOR TIMES

Check in by 5:00pm Meet and greet one of our wolves at 5:30pm - Tour starts immediately after and lasts approximately 1 hour.

Wear warm clothes and good boots. Bring a camera and flashlight. Cocoa and coffee will be provided

Meet our resident animals during the feeding tour and observe them when they are most active...feeding time!

Learn about hunting, howling and hierarchy and communicate with the pack in a group howl!

ADULTS $25 KIDS $15 (8-12 yrs) No kids under 8 Future Full Moon Tours November 24 and December 29

Adults $20

*the first date must be full before the second date opens

Kids 12 & under $10

walk on the wild side

Thursday & Sunday CALL FOR TIMES Start by walking with a guide through the Center and seeing the wolves, coyote and fox then prepare for a 1/2 mile walk with one of our wolves down a dirt forest road.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

719-687-9742

All tours have limited space and we have a no-cancellation policy from May-October

GOT MEAT ?

We are in need

of meat (and moneta ry donations!)

We can take your freezer burned or old We cannot ta meat. ke meat that is spoiled, se asoned, or spiced no r fish with bo nes.

7 1 9-6 8 7-9 7 4

2

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

DAY of the

DEAD

SUNDAY OCTOBER 28TH 5PM (Check in) UNTIL 7pm

Tour of the Center and then warm up around a bon fire while being surrounded with wolves! Everyone will get a candle for a ceremony of our animal friends that we have lost and a special prayer will be given.

Appetizers and hot drinks will be provided Dress warm and bring a flashlight and blanket or throw. You may bring a fold up chair. Skeleton attire encouraged. $25 for adults · $15 for kids · Not recommended for kids 12 and younger Reservations required. Limited space.

Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center 719-687-9742

Fox Mountain Loba Eludes Trappers A Mexican gray wolf targeted for removal for preying on livestock continues to outsmart her would-be captors and remains at large with her pack in the forest. Despite numerous traps set to capture her, the Fox Mountain alpha female continues to roam free.

Last month, under pressure from WildEarth Guardians members and others, the Fish and Wildlife Service changed their kill order for this wolf accused of predating on cattle in the Apache National Forest, to a cap-

ture and incarceration order instead. Guardians is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy to end management conflicts in the Mexican wolf recovery area and make wolf removal a thing of the past. We are litigating to ban trapping in Mexican wolf range, demanding additional wolf releases, and advocating for an expanded recovery zone. We’re also working to retire federal grazing permits in the Greater Gila Bioregion and permanently end grazing conflicts with Mexican wolf recovery.

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

It was not unexpected but very welcome. Two the lawsuit is successful and wolves are relisted. coalitions of environmental groups put the The means test for granting an injunction USFWS on notice Monday they intend to center on two questions the judge will sue over the delisting of gray wolves in weigh.

Environmental Wyoming. Once wolves are delisted, Groups To Sue as of October 1, 2012, they can be 1. Will there be irreparable harm used for target practice in most of if the injunction is not granted?

USFWS Over Wyoming the state. Any method of killing Certainly the answer to Wolf Delisting, is allowed, which means terrible this question has to be yes. pain and suffering for wolves in Uncontrolled killing of wolves in “Shoot-On-Sight” Plan most Wyoming. Wolf haters can run of the state could do terrible wild, anything a twisted mind can damage to Wyoming’s fragile wolf from howlingforjustice.com come up with. This comes at a time population in just a few months. In when Yellowstone wolves are being 2008 the famous Druid wolf Limpy was decimated by mange and other disease. shot and killed in Daniel, Wyoming when Mange wrote the obituary for the famed Druid the then Bush administration briefly lifted Peak Pack, who were so revered and loved by wildlife ESA protections for wolves. Limpy died for nothing. watchers around the world.

His death broke hearts, he was a wolf who overcame so Is Yellowstone treating wolves with Ivermectin, which much, yet his life was snuffed out for blood sport. Think is effective against the infestation? The famous African of what could happen to hundreds of Limpys if Wyoming film makers and big cat advocates, the Jouberts, darted has its way. a mange infected wild leopard family they were studying 2. Do the plaintiffs have a good chance of with Ivermectin and in a few weeks the leopards were winning the lawsuit? once again thriving. They decided to act because another It’s very obvious the Wyoming wolf plan is driven by leopard they were filming fell to the mange mite and politics and not science. It was reported last week that they couldn’t watch the painful saga play out again but many of Wyoming’s elk herds have grown so large extra I digress. permits will be available to hunters this season. One of My biggest worry concerning the lawsuit is securing an the big lies about wolves is they are decimating elk herds injunction to stop the killing before it starts. If the lawsuit in Wyoming, when clearly this is BS. I think the plaintiffs proceeds and wolves remain unprotected, Wyoming’s have a very good chance of winning. Let’s hope the judge fragile wolf population could suffer major losses even if sees it that way.

One year after wolves lost federal protection, over 40% of the wolf population has been killed by trophy hunters and trappers in Idaho and Montana. A total of 545 wolves were killed for fun in these two Northern Rocky states.

CLICK ON THE BUTTON TO CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM THE WOLF RALLY IN IDAHO

The appeal failed, they decided to use sharp shooters instead of wolves. This is a picture of the people who were there for the hearing. Our own Nancy Makuch was there to be a voice.

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

COLORADO WOLF AND WILDLIFE CENTER

LOOKING FOR HOMES MAILEY

Have you ever met a cat who is very independent, but wants love at the same time? Well, meet Mailey. She is the type of cat to keep to herself yet approach you when she wants love and affection. She is quite sweet, and will make a wonderful companion for someone who has the patience to allow Mailey her space. She has been with TCRAS for over a year now and is very much in need of a forever home! Call TCRAS, the no-kill shelter in Divide, at 719-686-7707 for more information or checkout their website to see all available animals!

www.tcrascolorado.com

GRETA

KEBA

This is Keba. He is a Siberian Husky mix. Keba will be 3 in December and has been neutered. Keba needs a new home because he and the other male dog he currently lives with are having issues (there is a female involved). He is very loveable, walks well on a leash with a halti or harness. Keba knows basic commands but needs to work on wanting to check out the neighborhood on his own. He has never tried to escape out of his yard. He doesn’t bark much, talks a lot and has a beautiful howl. He loves to hike and loves people and kids. He wants to be a house dog since that is where he started. He is a victim of divorce. Other than the male dog he currently lives with there has never been an issue with other dogs, he would love other dogs to play with.

CALL KIM AT 719-896-0677 OR 719-686-6437

My name is Greta. I am a 4.5 year old Shepherd mix. I am a very happy girl, and I want nothing more than to please my people. I am looking for a forever home where my people will have the patience and the time to teach me some great things! Since I have been at the shelter I have been working very hard on my manners, and I am doing quite well. I will sit, wait and contain my excitement if you have a treat for me! I am even housebroken! I might do ok with another calm dog, but we must meet before I go home with you!!!

Please come see me today, I miss having a forever family to call my own. Call TCRAS, the no-kill shelter in Divide, at 719-686-7707 for more information or checkout their website to see all available animals!

www.tcrascolorado.com

Vieques Humane Society - Vieques, Puerto Rico, a small island located off the mainland’s east coast, for many years offered no veterinary or animal rescue services. During the early 1980’s, a handful of concerned immigrants from the states and a few local residents took a serious interest in improving the welfare of the animals. They began by feeding the island’s multitudinous strays and soliciting the help of veterinarians from Puerto Rico to sterilize them. By 1987, the Vieques Humane Society and Animal Rescue, Inc. was officially established as a non-profit organization. Today they still offer the only veterinary services on the island and have developed strong community based programs.

See available dogs at www.viequeshumanesociety.org · CWWC will help you cover adoption fees - 719.687.9742

Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org

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Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center | PO Box 713 | Divide, CO 80814 | 719.687.9742 | www. wolfeducation.org