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Update March 1, 2008. Random news in addition to update below (see Feb. 24): Wolf losing Endangered Species Act protections out west, but what about their smaller cousin, the coyote? Also, captive coyote permit update - please help by submitting a letter of support.
Captive Coyote Permit Update
In addition to the wild ecological research that I conduct, many folks know that I once had a captive litter of coyotes before I was separated from them (a bitter, bitter memory and I detail this in depth in my book, Suburban Howls). I (and my wife, Tara) now own 1.38 acres of land in Osterville, MA (in the town of Barnstable). I am proposing to do the study again with 2-3 coyotes and wrote a detailed proposal explaining my rationale (to read the proposal in .pdf, click here ).
I need your help! Please support my captive coyote study by writing to and/or calling the governor and the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and letting them know that you think this is a legitimate and valid study. In summary, captive coyotes are a perfect bridge between the wild coyote work that I do and the education outreach that I do (like public talks and curriculum development). The ethogram available on my publications page is only possible through examining captive coyotes. It would literally be impossible to do on wild coyotes.
We only have 2-3 weeks left before coyotes start whelping (giving birth). Please write a letter ASAP! Thanks so much, in advance! Jon Way
Suggested letter (whatever you choose to write, please be respectful - it is frustrating to have a Ph.D. and have to repeatedly go through this permitting process but I don't want to create any more enemies than I have by disrespecting anyone - thanks):
"I whole-heartedly support Jon Way's proposal to house and study 2-3 coyotes in his Osterville home. While the idea may seem unconventional to some, I have no doubt that this incredibly talented researcher will take the safety of the general public into great consideration upon constructing his exhibit. The care in which he tackles his research is of the utmost importance. Furthermore, the benefits the exhibit could provide the general public are numerous. Coyotes are among us - they were here first and they are here to stay. Therefore, educating the public is key to their survival and our understanding. What better way to educate than in our own backyards. Please carefully consider his proposal. Thanks for your time."
Note: this letter was taken from a kind individual who wrote to the sources below on my behalf.
Contact information (send to):
Tom O’Shea
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
1 Rabbit Hill Road
Westborough , MA 01581
Tel: (508) 389-6300; Fax: (508) 389-7890
Governor's office: (Mass.Gov@state.ma.us) and/or fill out a contact form by clicking here (this might be a better option)
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildllife: mass.wildlife@state.ma.us
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Wolves and the Endangered Species Act; but what about coyotes and the way they are treated?
If you don’t believe me how awful some states treat their predators then read the link below: http://wolves.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/eleven-conservation-groups-challenge-federal-wolf-delisting-news-release/#more-2090 (by the way, Ralph Maughan’s website is great. I often read it for western wolf and conservation issues, especially for its Yellowstone National Park information).
After millions of dollars of money spent on wolf reintroduction and overwhelming local and national support of wolves, the states of Idaho and Wyoming are proposing a wolf slaughter. Just like back east with wildlife watching, wolves generate a substantial amount of money to local communities (millions per year) which has been found to be far greater than the losses wolves cost to hunting and cattle/livestock operations (through predation). However, the rural agriculture mindset predominates government decisions in those states despite a minority of people actually participating in the activity these days (sounds very similar to hunting back east dominating fish and wildlife department decisions).
Since 2 of the 3 states (Montana excluded) are basically treating them as vermin, a number of conservation groups are suing to prevent wolves from being slaughtered again (like back in the 1800s and early 1900s). However, what really bothers me is that these 3 states and 42 of 49 in total have no limits on when or how many coyotes can be slaughtered even if they are causing no damage. The other 7 states (like Massachusetts) have some sort of season (Massachusetts’ is now over 5 months) where a hunter can legally kill as many as they want, and just need a hunting license to do so. However, all state fish and wildlife departments are funded by hunters despite wildlife watching making much more money in just about every state (take a look at the attached article about the millions of dollars wolves bring to Yellowstone National Park each year; similarly, I am trying to make suburban wildlife like coyotes popular). However, wildlife watchers have no say in management because those monies go to the general economy. Talk about the most undemocratic form of government/management; i.e., the majority having virtually no input into wildlife management guidelines.
I have a problem with most environmental groups doing nothing to further the cause of the coyote, even though they are not endangered. They are social, intelligent beings that many people like to have around. Additionally, they are very good for the environment and often make an ecosystem healthier by having a relatively large predator living (even thriving) in a diversity of ecosystems ranging from rural to urban. Interestingly, most fish and wildlife departments now acknowledge the positive values that coyotes and other predators contribute to an ecosystem, despite their liberal hunting seasons set on the species.
I wish, and it is Eastern Coyote Research’s goal, that national environmental groups join my cause and lobby state fish and wildlife departments to better protect them in limited, bag limit (say, 2 per hunter) hunts, as opposed to the way that they are now managed. As a biologist, I see their family oriented, social nature and realize that (even though their reproduction offsets their losses) the slaughter allowed by almost all wildlife departments nationwide is unjust and should not be acceptable in today's society.
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