When I was a broadcaster in Minnesota, one of the hot topics that we dealt with was the dispute over the gray wolf. For a long time, the gray wolf had been on a protected list under the Endangered Species Act. Its numbers had dwindled for several reasons. While the animal was on the protected list, ranchers had very few options available to them for protecting their herds of cattle and other livestock from predators. However, there were options available.
After years of protection and population management, the gray wolf had thrived. Their numbers increased so much that not only were they well above the threshold for protection under the Endangered Species Act, but there were also plans in the works for the hunting season on the wolf to be started back up again. Ranchers were pushing for the season because of the number of wolves that were destroying cattle.
Enter the animal rights activists and the environmentalists.
Through legal actions and court proceedings, not only did these groups stop the wolf hunt from taking place, they got the gray wolf put back on the endangered species list, even though it no longer qualified for protection, and still doesn’t to this day. Also, ranchers had their rights of protection taken away from them. While the species WAS endangered, they were allowed to protect their cattle herds. Now, with the gray wolf getting special provisions that they do not qualify for, ranchers can only shoot a wolf if it attacks a human being. The instances of human attacks from wolves is low. The gray wolf is more protected by the Endangered Species Act, now that it doesn’t qualify, than it was when it needed help.
Now that we gave the mouse (animal rights groups) a cookie, it wants a glass of milk. Enter the grizzly bear.
There is another great dispute over the pending reintroduction of grizzly bears into parts of the Pacific Northwest that are not the natural home of the bears. Kaitlynn Glover is the Executive Director of the Public Lands Council and the head of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Environment and Natural Resources team. She talks about recent moves to give the grizzly bear the same treatment and perks the gray wolf enjoys.
The obvious question is why is the Fish & Wildlife Service reintroducing bears where they haven’t been for years, and where the ecosystems have long since adjusted to the bears no longer being there?
The answer is as old as time; politics.
Glover says it isn’t about farmers and ranchers not caring and wanting to help protect an animal population that needs protection and rehabilitation. What it is about is a government that has taken a well-intended and much-needed piece of legislation and perverting it for political gains and the wishes of special interest groups.
The decisions on both the gray wolf and the grizzly bear are handcuffing farmers and ranchers from being able to protect their animals and lands.
H.R. 764, or the Trust the Science Act passed through the House on April 30th and is awaiting action in the Senate. You can read the text of the bill here. You can also learn more about the Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association by following their links.
