Natural Resources Minister Plans Wolf Conservation Measures
Posted by: Kathie Brosemer (kathie) on December 09, 2004 at 19:46:54
from the never-cry dept.
(Toronto) Earthroots congratulates Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsay, who today announced a plan to improve the conservation of wolves across the province. The Minister is proposing to regulate the recreational hunting of wolves by restricting the seasons and limits on the number of wolves that can be hunted annually. Ontario has been recognized as one of the worst jurisdictions in the world for its exploitative wolf management policies. Currently there is an open season for hunting and trapping wolves without quotas or bag limits to restrict the harvest.
“The days of managing the Big Bad Wolf are finally coming to an end,” says Melissa Tkachyk, Earthroots’ Wolves Ontario! Coordinator. “These new measures will enable the government to better assess how many Eastern or Gray wolves are killed each year for fur, sport or to protect livestock and the impact this is having within the ecosystem."
Earthroots welcomes the new regulatory improvements calling today's announcement a good first step but says more work still needs to be done to protect wolves and their habitat. Wolves are only adequately protected on 3% of their range in the province, while 97% is still open to hunting and trapping. Only a few parks are off limits to hunters and trappers and large enough to sustain a viable wolf population. "There is clearly an imbalance between the percentage of the province where wolves are managed as game and the few protected areas, off-limits to traps and bullets where wolves can just be wolves," says Tkachyk. “Keeping critical wolf habitat areas free of exploitation is necessary if we want true wilderness in Ontario."
Earthroots released a map today showing 49 outfitters that advertise guided wolf hunts, some of which are located just outside the borders of the largest parks in the province. All of the outfitters advertise the price of their services in U.S. dollars and many have summer residencies in the U.S. "While Americans come to Ontario to shoot wolves, Canadians flock to Yellowstone National Park to view wolves in the wild," added Tkachyk. "Since 88% of Ontarians strongly oppose the hunting of wolves for sport, the government should be promoting wolf ecotourism as an alternative way of generating revenue in Northern Ontario communities."
“The Minister has followed through on his commitment to improve wolf conservation,” says Tkachyk. “It's now up to the public to submit comments on the proposed plan and ensure that Ontario becomes a world leader in wolf protection.” The proposal will be posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry for public comment.
Copies of public opinion poll and map of outfitters offering wolf hunts available
For more information contact:
Melissa Tkachyk (Ta-caw-chik), Earthroots’ Wolves Ontario! Coordinator - Tel: 416-599-0152 x12 (office) / 416-819-7424 (cell). For more information, visit Earthroots' website.
Interviews with wolf biologists, John and Mary Theberge can be arranged through Earthroots.
Background Information:
Provincial wolf population
The MNR estimates that there are between 8,000 and 10,000 wolves in the province. This estimation was made over 40 years ago and has remained unchanged. However no reliable survey method has been employed.
There are two wolf species in Ontario: the Gray wolf (Canis lupus) and the Eastern wolf (Canis lycaon) which is also known as the Algonquin wolf because of its declining yet popular presence in Algonquin Provincial Park. The MNR implemented a permanent ban on hunting and trapping wolves and coyotes in 40 townships surrounding the park last spring in an attempt to curb the park's population decline. The Eastern wolf has been added to both the National and Provincial Species at Risk lists as a species of “Special Concern”.
Impacts of hunting and trapping wolves
Approximately 500 wolves are trapped every year for the commercial sale of their pelts. There are no accurate records on how many wolves are hunted every year or killed because they were viewed as vermin or a threat on private property. Population numbers alone are not the sole indicator for the long-term viability of a wolf population. Human activity, including hunting and trapping can affect wolf behavior and the social integrity of the wolf pack. Wolf populations diminish or cease to exist in areas with road densities exceeding 0.58 km/km2.
Protected Areas for Wolves
Wolf biologists estimate that at least 500 km2 is needed to ensure the viability of a wolf population because of their large territorial requirements. There are only 4 areas in Ontario that are off limits to wolf hunters and trappers that are also large enough in size: Algonquin and Lake Superior Provincial Parks and Chapleau and Nipissing Crown Game Preserves. These total a mere 3% of protected sanctuary within the wolf’s range.
Public Opinion
A province-wide poll conducted by Oraclepoll Research of Sudbury this year surveyed Ontarians’ attitudes about wolves and the government’s management of the species. Key findings include:
- 88% strongly oppose the practice of sport hunting wolves and more than 70% want an end to the practice of baiting and using dogs to hunt wolves.
- 82% strongly oppose killing wolves in order to sell their pelts.
- 88% favour having a sustainable wolf management program, as most do not see that enough is currently being done now to manage wolves.
- 74% support protecting more wolf habitat.
- A strong majority also want bag limits, kills to be reported and closing the spring season when pups are born.
Earthroots is a non-profit, grassroots environmental organization dedicated to protecting wilderness, wildlife and watersheds through research, education and action. Founded in 1986, Earthroots has over 12,000 supporters throughout Canada.
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