Defenders of Wildlife Newsletter
1. More Than 100 Scientists Oppose Aerial Gunning of Alaska Wolves
Alaska-based biologist, Dr. Victor Van Ballenberghe, has drafted a report commissioned by Defenders and supported by 123 scientists and academic wildlife professionals, which states that Alaska's current program of killing wolves from the air is scientifically flawed. Along with the report, the scientists sent a letter stating their opposition to Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski and the Alaska Board of Game on January 6. At press time, 63 wolves had already been killed by aerial gunners this season, and hundreds more are slated to die. Defenders' Alaska office records a weekly audio message about the aerial gunning program that can be heard online. You can also view a video about aerial hunting of wolves (caution: it's fairly graphic) and sign a petition to Gov. Murkowski at www.wolfcampaign.org.
2. Payments by Defenders for Grizzly Bear Livestock Kills Drop, Wolf Payments Rise
Defenders of Wildlife paid $12,795 in grizzly bear compensation funds to ranchers in 2004 -- a 32 percent drop from 2003. Conversely, payments through The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust to ranchers for wolf kills of livestock were up in 2004 to a one-year record of more than $136,000. Since 1987, Defenders had paid out more than $476,000 to compensate ranchers for losses due to wolves. Despite the fact that they are often vilified, wolves are only responsible for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of all livestock deaths on average.
3. ConocoPhillips Abandons Group that Lobbies for Drilling in Arctic Refuge
ConocoPhillips has become the latest oil company to pull out of a lobbying group called Arctic Power, which was created to pressure lawmakers into drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The revelation indicates a lessening of corporate interest in plans to push for drilling. BP/Amoco and ChevronTexaco had formerly removed themselves from the group, but ExxonMobil remains a member. Despite what appears to be wavering corporate interest, and recent polls that indicate that the majority of Americans are opposed to drilling the refuge, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate appear poised to push harder than ever for gutting the refuge – the remaining 5 percent of land on Alaska's North Slope that isn't already open to drilling.
4. This Valentine's Day Give a Gift From the Heart
Show someone special you really care this Valentine's Day. Make a truly meaningful gift by sending your loved one a wildlife gift adoption. It's a perfect gift for a child or grandchild! Pass on the legacy of wildlife conservation to someone you love by adopting a wolf, panther, snowy owl, polar bear, dolphin, sea otter, whale, tiger or elephant. When you do, we'll send that person a plush animal toy and a certificate of adoption suitable for framing. Visit our wildlife adoption center today to send a Valentine's gift that will show just how much you care – for that special person and wildlife.
5. Defenders and Others Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Wolf Reintroduction
Defenders and others celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Idaho on January 12. In what has been described as one of our nation's greatest wildlife conservation success stories, the population of wolves in the northern Rockies has grown from the few that were reintroduced to nearly 800 today.
6. Potential Good News for Sonoran Pronghorn
Following a recent survey, experts estimate that there are 58 Sonoran pronghorn in the United States. This estimate is more than double the survey from 2002, when biologists estimated 21. Although Sonoran pronghorn still face dire threats, the new numbers and the efforts of a captive breeding program bring hope that the animals will survive.
7. Moderate Senator Named to Key Wildlife Subcommittee
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), who is generally considered to be fairly moderate and friendly to wildlife and other environmental issues, was named chairman of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, a key subcommittee with regard to endangered species issues. Defenders has worked with Sen. Chafee in the past and look forward to engaging with him on important wildlife and environmental issues.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS? Just send an E-mail from your old address to: Changeaddress@defenders.org and put only your new e-mail address in the subject line. If you no longer have access to your old address send an e-mail to DEN@Defenders.org and in the text part of the message give us your "old" and "new" addresses.
DENlines is a biweekly update of Defenders of Wildlife, a leading national conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. It is known for its effective leadership on endangered species issues, particularly predators such as brown bears and gray wolves. Defenders also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with more than 480,000 members and supporters.
Defenders of Wildlife1130 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2005
Alaska-based biologist, Dr. Victor Van Ballenberghe, has drafted a report commissioned by Defenders and supported by 123 scientists and academic wildlife professionals, which states that Alaska's current program of killing wolves from the air is scientifically flawed. Along with the report, the scientists sent a letter stating their opposition to Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski and the Alaska Board of Game on January 6. At press time, 63 wolves had already been killed by aerial gunners this season, and hundreds more are slated to die. Defenders' Alaska office records a weekly audio message about the aerial gunning program that can be heard online. You can also view a video about aerial hunting of wolves (caution: it's fairly graphic) and sign a petition to Gov. Murkowski at www.wolfcampaign.org.
2. Payments by Defenders for Grizzly Bear Livestock Kills Drop, Wolf Payments Rise
Defenders of Wildlife paid $12,795 in grizzly bear compensation funds to ranchers in 2004 -- a 32 percent drop from 2003. Conversely, payments through The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Wolf Compensation Trust to ranchers for wolf kills of livestock were up in 2004 to a one-year record of more than $136,000. Since 1987, Defenders had paid out more than $476,000 to compensate ranchers for losses due to wolves. Despite the fact that they are often vilified, wolves are only responsible for less than one-tenth of 1 percent of all livestock deaths on average.
3. ConocoPhillips Abandons Group that Lobbies for Drilling in Arctic Refuge
ConocoPhillips has become the latest oil company to pull out of a lobbying group called Arctic Power, which was created to pressure lawmakers into drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The revelation indicates a lessening of corporate interest in plans to push for drilling. BP/Amoco and ChevronTexaco had formerly removed themselves from the group, but ExxonMobil remains a member. Despite what appears to be wavering corporate interest, and recent polls that indicate that the majority of Americans are opposed to drilling the refuge, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate appear poised to push harder than ever for gutting the refuge – the remaining 5 percent of land on Alaska's North Slope that isn't already open to drilling.
4. This Valentine's Day Give a Gift From the Heart
Show someone special you really care this Valentine's Day. Make a truly meaningful gift by sending your loved one a wildlife gift adoption. It's a perfect gift for a child or grandchild! Pass on the legacy of wildlife conservation to someone you love by adopting a wolf, panther, snowy owl, polar bear, dolphin, sea otter, whale, tiger or elephant. When you do, we'll send that person a plush animal toy and a certificate of adoption suitable for framing. Visit our wildlife adoption center today to send a Valentine's gift that will show just how much you care – for that special person and wildlife.
5. Defenders and Others Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Wolf Reintroduction
Defenders and others celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone and Idaho on January 12. In what has been described as one of our nation's greatest wildlife conservation success stories, the population of wolves in the northern Rockies has grown from the few that were reintroduced to nearly 800 today.
6. Potential Good News for Sonoran Pronghorn
Following a recent survey, experts estimate that there are 58 Sonoran pronghorn in the United States. This estimate is more than double the survey from 2002, when biologists estimated 21. Although Sonoran pronghorn still face dire threats, the new numbers and the efforts of a captive breeding program bring hope that the animals will survive.
7. Moderate Senator Named to Key Wildlife Subcommittee
Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-Rhode Island), who is generally considered to be fairly moderate and friendly to wildlife and other environmental issues, was named chairman of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Water Subcommittee of the Environment and Public Works Committee, a key subcommittee with regard to endangered species issues. Defenders has worked with Sen. Chafee in the past and look forward to engaging with him on important wildlife and environmental issues.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO DENLINES
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS? Just send an E-mail from your old address to: Changeaddress@defenders.org and put only your new e-mail address in the subject line. If you no longer have access to your old address send an e-mail to DEN@Defenders.org and in the text part of the message give us your "old" and "new" addresses.
DENlines is a biweekly update of Defenders of Wildlife, a leading national conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. It is known for its effective leadership on endangered species issues, particularly predators such as brown bears and gray wolves. Defenders also advocates new approaches to wildlife conservation that protect species before they become endangered. Founded in 1947, Defenders is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with more than 480,000 members and supporters.
Defenders of Wildlife1130 17th Street, NWWashington, DC 20036
Copyright Defenders of Wildlife 2005
posted by T. Scott Brineman at 9:01 AM
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