“From beasts we scorn as soulless,
In forest, field, and den,
The cry goes up to witness
The soullessness of men.”
M. Frida Hartley
Unbelievably, of all places, Alaska is the only state in our nation where hunters can still gun down wolves from airplanes and helicopters, chase wolves to exhaustion, and then shoot them down from the ground.
Over 800 timber wolves have already been savagely murdered in this barbaric method, in one of the very last refuges they had left on this planet.
As recently as July, state wildlife agency personnel in Alaska staked out a known wolf denning site -- a practice that is illegal under federal law -- and, using helicopters, gunned down 14 adult wolves from the air. When they landed, they found 14 helpless pups in the nearby dens-- just weeks old – and methodically shot each one in the head.
And state officials, led by Alaska’s very own Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, continue to let it happen by exploiting a current loophole in this federal law. The Governor now even wants to extend aerial hunting to include Alaska's bears, and she firmly believes that polar bears merit no state or federal protection at all.
This year's hunting season has already begun, and hundreds of endangered animals in Alaska will soon be killed.
And now, modern day wolf and bear haters and hunters in Idaho and in Wyoming are eagerly salivating, anxiously wanting to follow Alaska's extremely cruel and barbaric example.
Timber wolves are already being targeted for slaughter in the Northern Rockies, and even in and around Yellowstone National Park, one of their last refuges in the lower 48 states.
The PAW (Protect America’s Wildlife) Act, currently before Congress, would finally close this federal loophole, and finally stop Alaska's brutal and barbaric aerial hunting program – and prevent programs like it from spreading to places like the Greater Yellowstone region and beyond.
Although our numerous letters and petitions and protests don’t even seem to faze our extremely callous and irresponsible and corporate sponsored leaders at all these days, we all have to keep doing something, before timber wolves and many other endangered animals, soon vanish from the face of the Earth – forever.
Please sign the linked petition to help save America's wolves and end this barbaric aerial hunting. It’s the least we can do for them, and for future generations of nature lovers and wildlife to come.
Here's What One Recent Signer of This Petition In Support of the PAW Act Had To Say:
"The choice of Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska, and a supporter of aerial hunting of wolves and bears, changed my vote. Barack Obama will now have my support. The prospect of having a Vice President of the United States who is capable of condoning this type of savagery has no place in a position of leadership. Our leaders should have, at least, some measure of character and compassion. Sarah Palin has neither, and now, by association, does John McCain. I make these points to show you how serious this issue is, and how critical your support is for Rep. George Miller's PAW Act. I am a voting constituent, and I know many more who want this Act to pass. Please, help us maintain some type of decency in our treatment of our fellow creatures."
BUT, this is as unAmerican a thing to do as "tossing Grandma's Apple Pie" off the window ledge into the dirt.
If they want to contain the Wolf population there are humane ways of doing that: not the issue: They want to Annihilate Wildlife for one reason ALONE: Oil Money, and investments! That's Pallin's work in Alaska (she's family with Big Oil) That's why they want to hobble the Endangered Species Law. Get rid of all protected animals on land they want to DRILL!? and then there's nothing in the way to fight about.
It won't work, it's gonna blow up in their god-damn faces and I will celebrate them as politico/financial SAVAGES! Unfortunately, in the meantime, the damage is done!
A REAL AMERICAN WOULD NEVER SUPPORT THIS! I say that as a fisherman, once backpacker who has even faced down a bear once. Also though I no longer hunt and I am not anti-hunting. This ain't hunting!
It's the slaughter of GOD's INNOCENT critters in their Own homes. Especially in Alaska, their last wild frontier
And you people and your oil-investments (and Pallin) can GO TO HELL!
[jUST don't take the rest of us with you...SOB's]
[I'm getting steamed now and I almost never write my anger!!!)
I will do the contact work NOW!
I am not in the US and will not vote, but I am deeply disturbed by the slaughter of these helpless animals and Felix Perry is correct in saying this is important for us citizens of the world. Thank you
for this factual and informative article.
Georg
Fee
And Edwin - At the risk of starting a HUGE debate, I have to say - unless you have ovaries and a uterus, I'm wondering if you have much of a say in the role of whether or not a fetus is aborted. Wolf pups and human life are all important. Life is life.
Mr. Ed - did you hear about the bounty? $150 for each left front paw of wolves brought in. People are sick...
Great article - as usual... :)
Ed, you know that I'm a conservationist and stand up for the rights of all creatures large and small. However the lift on the ban(s) you referred to was put forth after extensive studies by the DNR in response to the ranchers and fisheries complaints of 'claimed' negative impact.
Nonetheless, like you, I do not agree with the lifting of the ban. My gut feeling may preclude logic however and The Rebubs #2, Gov.Palin should explain the decision, but to advance this as the policiy of John McCain is way off mark.
Let's take a look first at the Dems. #1 Obama's stand, as a steward of life.
His votes against the 'child born alive protection act' actually condoned infanticide. That's right... murder, not wolf pups, but real living human beings. Read it !! I guess that I hear their cries the loudest. And (for Mr. Rowley below, with yet another ill-informed, misguided and personal attack on Gov. Palin) that is beyond inhumane. Where is the outrage over the horrific cold-blooded murder our own helpless infants?
I've seen what years of dominant rule by so-called 'well-meaning' Dems in my home state has done to cause the devastation of my beloved North Woods and it is truly a shame indeed. They bought the votes to sell away the wilderness through socialist-feel-good pandering, with each elected Dem looking to their own future interest. Each in succession, serving their terms while voting to provide themselves a more than comfortable lifestyle. Look at the Evian deal on Lake Superior...Just one small case in point. Gimme a break and get real already! Stop drinking the Kool-Aid !!..Before anyone should vote for a candidate based on the issues, they should know all of the facts.
Edwin
Thank you, dear Ed, and love to you and yours,
Alexandra*
I have signed the petition. Thank You for the opportunity.
Warm Regards,
Joseph