Archive: Terrestrial Wildlife

More than 8,800 people have joined a popular campaign on Change.org calling on the city council of Calabasas, California, to adopt a coyote management plan that favors coexistence instead of killing.

Camilla Fox, executive director of the California-based Project Coyote and wildlife consultant with the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI), launched the campaign on Change.org following a citizen-led movement to end indiscriminate coyote trapping in Calabasas. Once local residents convinced officials to pass a temporary moratorium on trapping, Project Coyote and AWI offered to help the city create and implement a progressive, humane management plan that emphasizes public education, reducing coyote/wildlife attractants and hazing of habituated coyotes instead of trapping.

“We commend Calabasas for its decision to suspend coyote killing and we are urging the city to make the ban permanent,”said Camilla Fox, who launched the campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest growing platform for social change. “Indiscriminate trapping of coyotes is not an effective or humane solution to reduce real or perceived conflicts between people, coyotes and domestic animals. Coyotes are here to stay. We must learn to coexist. Education and reducing attractants are key.”

After 6,000 people signed the online petition campaign, the Calabasas Environment Commission voted unanimously to support a progressive coyote coexistence plan that emphasizes public education. Project Coyote plans to deliver the petition, now over 8,800 signatures, to the Calabasas City Council in advance of an October 12 public hearing and vote on the issue.

“What these concerned citizens have accomplished is remarkable,” said Stephanie Feldstein, Director of Organizing for Change.org. “It started with Calabasas residents speaking out against coyote trapping, and now they have the expertise of Project Coyote and the support of more than 8,800 people behind them. Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them, and it’s been incredible to watch this campaign take off.”

“The City of Calabasas has an opportunity to become a trend-setter with regard to coexisting with our wild neighbors and continuing to emphasize the strong environmental values held by the community,” said Fox. “We hope they choose this path and have offered our assistance to help them attain this goal.”

Camilla Fox will present testimony at the public hearing, and both Project Coyote and AWI are encouraging local residents to attend and testify.

The City Council of Calabasas, California, voted unanimously on Wednesday to prohibit any city funds from being spent on coyote trapping and to instead adopt a coyote management plan that shifts the focus from killing to coexistence.

The news follows a popular campaign on Change.org created by Project Coyote and the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI). The online petition campaign offered to help the city create and implement a humane management program and asked it to support a progressive coyote coexistence plan. By Wednesday’s council meeting, more than 9,000 people had joined the campaign on Change.org.

“We commend the city for adopting the changes that Project Coyote and the Animal Welfare Institute put forth to make this a model plan,” said Fox, executive director of the California-based Project Coyote and wildlife consultant with AWI. “We believe this is one of the best coyote coexistence plans out there and we look forward to working with the city, the National Park Service and other agencies in assisting in public education.”

Fox delivered the 9,000 petition signatures and presented testimony on behalf of Project Coyote and AWI at the October 12 public hearing prior to the council’s vote.

Camilla Fox and local Calabasas resident Randi Feilich Hirsch, who first brought this issue to the attention of city council, worked with city officials to strengthen the plan and shift the focus from killing to emphasize long-term education, reduction of wildlife attractants, and implementing hazing for habituated coyotes. The city is already using Project Coyote’s educational resources and airing its film American Coyote: Still Wild at Heart weekly on its public access TV station.

“It really shows that concerned citizens can speak up at the local level and make changes in city policy,” said Feilich Hirsch, Calabasas resident and Project Coyote’s Southern California representative. “We are optimistic that local residents will embrace this plan and become actively involved in coexisting with our wildlife neighbors.”

Calabasas Mayor Pro Tem, Mary Sue Maurer, said, “With the expertise of Project Coyote, the Animal Welfare Institute and the National Park Service, Calabasas residents and coyotes will mutually benefit and live more harmoniously together. I encourage all Californians that live alongside coyotes to learn more about these wondrous creatures and how we coexist together.”

“Project Coyote started the campaign on Change.org to give a voice to both the people and coyotes of Calabasas,” said Stephanie Feldstein, Director of Organizing for Change.org. “More than 9,000 people from around the world joined their call for coexistence, and the Calabasas Environment Commission and City Council listened. It has been impressive to watch residents, activists and officials come together to take action on this issue.”

Over one million dead animals. A disease that is affecting 9 species in 19 states. Nearly 100 percent mortality at some sites.

Time is running out for the bats—and for us to get this issue in front of the President! If you haven’t already signed this petition, please do so RIGHT AWAY and forward it to everyone you know—we have only until November 25 to collect 22,000 more signatures!

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is decimating bat populations, and the Animal Welfare Institute wants everyone to step up to help stop it by signing a petition to the White House BEFORE NOVEMBER 25 to tell the President we cannot afford to ignore WNS.

White-Nose Syndrome spreads farther each year, with dire consequences for North American bats. Scientists are predicting regional extinctions of the little brown bat in the northeastern United States by 2026 because of this disease. Critical hibernation sites of endangered Indiana, gray, and Virginia big-eared bats are at risk. Twenty-five of the United States’ 47 bats species hibernate in caves and mines and could be affected by WNS.

WNS-related bat losses will affect us all. By eating insects that damage crops and carry disease, bats provide an invaluable service. Losing bats would cost US farmers at least $3.7 billion in lost crops and increased pesticide use, increasing the financial strain on farming families, raising the price of food for consumers, and releasing more chemicals into our environment. In addition, regulations stemming from adding more bats to the Endangered Species List would impact such industries as mining, defense, energy, forestry, infrastructure, tourism and outdoor recreation.

The Animal Welfare Institute asks President Obama to include WNS funding in his Fiscal Year 2013 budget. Given the current economic and political climate, however, we know that he needs to hear how concerned all Americans are about WNS and the survival of our country’s bats. So we are using the White House’s new “We the People” petition tool to make our request. White House staff will review our request if we obtain 25,000 signatures by November 25!

AWI urges everyone who cares about bats, and cares about not losing the valuable services they provide to our economy and the environment, to act now!

If you already have a whitehouse.gov account, click “Sign In” enter your information and then click “Sign this Petition.” If you are new to the whitehouse.gov webpage, click “Create an Account.” After you have filled in the form, you will be sent an automated email to verify your new account and then you can return and click “Sign this Petition.” When you sign up for an account, you can select whether or not you want to receive emails from the Administration.

The November 25 deadline is just around the corner! Spread the word by asking your friends and family to sign on, too.

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) commends Representatives Howard “Buck” McKeon (R-CA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) for introducing the “Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act” (H.R. 4122) last week. If passed, this legislation would prohibit the private possession of tigers, lions, and other big cats except at facilities such as accredited zoos and sanctuaries. Those who currently possess big cats would be required to register them with the US Department of Agriculture, but would not be allowed to breed the animals. Violators of the law could have their animals and equipment confiscated and could face stiff penalties, including fines up to $20,000 and up to five years in jail.

“Due to their size, strength, wild instincts, and the level of care required, big cats do not make good pets,” noted Chris Heyde, Deputy Director of Government and Legal Affairs for AWI.  Nevertheless, few state and federal laws restrict the practice, and a large number of wild cats are bred and sold as domestic pets in the US—where there are an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 large cats kept in private ownership.  These animals represent a threat to public safety and are often mistreated and neglected.  In the past 11 years, US incidents involving captive big cats—tigers, lions, cougars, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, and lion/tiger hybrids—have resulted in 21 human deaths, 246 maulings, 253 escapes, 143 big cats deaths, and 128 confiscations.

Last year in Zanesville, Ohio, 49 wild animals—including several big cats—were killed after they were let loose from an unlicensed animal preserve. This incident has made clear the need for federal legislation to reign in the possession and ongoing breeding of these animals. H.R. 4122 would help end the private breeding and ownership of big cats while also addressing the increasing concern that these cats—including threatened and endangered species—are being killed to facilitate the illegal trade in their parts for domestic and overseas markets.

“No matter how many times people try to do it, wild cats such as lions, tigers, panthers and cheetahs are impossible to domesticate for personal possession and require much higher living standards compared to a domestic house cat,” said Representative McKeon. “When accidents happen and these wild cats are released into our neighborhoods, it causes panic, puts a strain on our local public safety responders and is extremely dangerous. This bill is a step forward in protecting the public and ensuring that wild cats reside in proper living conditions.”

“The events in Ohio last year showed the tragedy that can occur when exotic animals are privately owned by individuals, with little to no oversight,” said Representative Sanchez. “Wild animals are dangerous and we clearly need better laws limiting their ownership. Exotic species should be regulated to high quality facilities with the ability to properly care for them.”

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) plans to introduce a companion bill in the Senate. “It’s a little hard to believe that there’s a crazy patchwork of regulations governing people who try to keep wild cats as pets,” said Senator Kerry. “I know it sounds like something you just read about when there’s a tragic news story, but it’s all too real for first responders who respond to a 911 call and are surprised to come face to face with a Bengal tiger. This bill will ensure that these endangered creatures are kept in secure, professional facilities like wildlife sanctuaries rather than in small cages in someone’s backyard or apartment building.”

AWI supports the bill’s goal of prohibiting the private possession of tigers, lions, and other big cats. We hope that Congress will move swiftly to pass this important bill.

Mayor Vincent Gray has officially proclaimed April 28^th, 2012 to be Save the Frogs Day in the District of Columbia to help bring awareness to the ecological importance of frogs. The Animal Welfare Institute and Save the Frogs! are encouraging DC residents to observe this day by learning more about the frog species that live in the region and how to take part in protecting them.

Frogs are an important indicator of an ecosystem’s overall health, and are a critical component of the food web, feeding on algae and insects, while serving also as a source of food for other wildlife. Unfortunately, these amphibians are suffering due to pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and more. Today, 42 percent of all frog species are declining in population with 32 percent listed as threatened or already extinct.

In the District of Columbia, native amphibians can be found in Rock Creek Park and within the Anacostia and Potomac River watersheds. By eliminating the unnecessary use of pesticides, cutting down on plastic trash, and participating in streamside cleanups, DC residents can help save the frogs and the areas they inhabit.

Visit Save the Frogs! for more information about frogs and how to help.

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and Project Coyote expressed grave concerns in response to the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission’s decision to allow unlimited night hunting of coyotes and feral pigs, which could begin this summer. The Commission approved the rules largely to provide new opportunities for hunters to expand hunting opportunities, not as a means to effectively manage wildlife populations.

North Carolina currently allows night hunting of feral pigs (with special permits) but prohibits night hunting of coyotes. The new rules allow hunters to kill an unlimited number of coyotes and feral pigs, 24 hours a day. This decision substantially increases the threat to the remaining 110 or so endangered red wolves in the state—animals that are difficult to distinguish from coyotes even in daylight, let alone at night. Approximately 7 percent of red wolves are killed annually by North Carolina hunters; a kill rate that will escalate with night hunting.

“This proposal is ethically indefensible and ecologically reckless,” said Camilla Fox, Executive Director of Project Coyote and Wildlife Consultant with AWI. “As the only area where red wolves still exist in the world, North Carolina should be doing all it can to protect and recover this highly endangered species—not expanding indiscriminate killing.”

In addition to the threat to red wolves, night hunting will increase non-target animal kills, endanger public and law enforcement personnel safety, result in more wounded animals, facilitate poaching, and hamper wildlife law enforcement efforts.  What it won’t do, contrary to the Commission’s claim, is effectively control coyote or feral pig populations—as killing is known actually to trigger increases in reproductive rates and survival in these species.

“Expanding night hunting opportunities in North Carolina cannot be justified by any measure,” states AWI Wildlife Biologist D.J. Schubert.  “Allowing armed individuals access to North Carolina’s woods and fields at night to shoot at coyotes and feral pigs is a recipe for disaster and tragedy.”

As part of the rulemaking process, AWI and Project Coyote submitted substantive comments to the Commission, documenting a number of deficiencies with the rules. They also suggested that the Commission pursue alternative forms of wildlife management and more effective, non-lethal methods of reducing conflicts between coyotes, people, and their domestic animals.  Sadly, although only 1 percent of North Carolinians hunt, the Commission rejected this advice and instead chose a plan that will exacerbate wildlife/human conflicts and endanger North Carolinians.

The Animal Welfare Institute has been working to alleviate the suffering inflicted on animals by humans since 1951. Project Coyote promotes active coexistence between people and wildlife and compassionate conservation through education, science and advocacy.

Accidental shootings resulting in death or injury are a primary concern outlined in a court challenge filed today against an illegal, temporary state rule that allows spotlight hunting of coyotes at night throughout North Carolina, including in the area inhabited by the only wild population of red wolves, one of the world’s most endangered animals. The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the court challenge against the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and a request to stop the temporary rule in Wake County Superior Court on behalf of the Animal Welfare Institute, the Defenders of Wildlife, and the Red Wolf Coalition.

“As currently written, this spotlighting rule sets the stage for a tragedy of mistaken identity,” said Derb Carter, the senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center who represents the groups in today’s filing.

After its proposed permanent spotlighting rule sparked concerns in public comment meetings and over 30 objection letters, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission adopted the permanent rule as a temporary spotlighting rule, effective August 1, 2012, without sufficient grounds for doing so—which violates state law.

“The process used for this spotlighting rule is inconsistent with state law requirements for adopting rules under North Carolina law,” said Tara Zuardo, legal associate at the Animal Welfare Institute. “Not only did the commission flaunt established state law, they did so without regard to the serious impact on a critically endangered species.”

Gunshot deaths are a significant threat to red wolf (Canis rufus) recovery. Once extinct in the wild, the red wolf was reintroduced in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. With only about 100 wild red wolves now living in five counties on the Albemarle Peninsula of eastern North Carolina, the wolves are frequently mistaken for coyotes even in daylight. Red wolves and coyotes are similar in appearance, coats, and coloring. Red wolf yearlings are similar in size and weight to coyotes.

“The risk of mistaken identity for red wolves only increases at night,” said Jason Rylander, attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. “This spotlighting rule sets endangered red wolves up for a double whammy—increasing risk of accidental gunshot mortality and setting back successful coyote control efforts in red wolf territory.”

To prevent wolves interbreeding with coyotes—another threat to the wolf population—the US Fish and Wildlife Service sterilizes coyotes that have territories within red wolf habitat. Shooting sterilized coyotes will undo effective coyote population control efforts and further jeopardize the native red wolf population.

“Because only one small population of wild red wolves exists, an increased loss of red wolves by gunshot could reduce their numbers to a point where they would not recover,” said Kim Wheeler, executive director of the Red Wolf Coalition. “At the same time, the loss of sterilized coyotes would make room for new unsterilized coyotes in the red wolf recovery area, raising the risk of inbreeding and resulting in the loss of the red wolf species.”

In public comments on the proposed permanent rule to allow spotlight hunting, the US Fish and Wildlife Service echoed these concerns, stating that spotlight hunting “will impact and potentially threaten the recovery of the endangered red wolf.” The US Fish and Wildlife Service also raised concerns about the safety of its personnel who handle coyotes or wolves at dusk, citing the fatal shooting at Georgia’s Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trailhead of National Forest Service officer Christopher Upton that occurred when a hunter believed he was shooting at the reflection of a coyote’s eyes at night. The National Forest Service raised similar concerns about safety for its personnel and people using national forests for recreation who may be present at night and difficult to see.

Although the temporary rule requires a permit to spotlight hunt coyotes on public lands, it does not clarify for hunters what kind of permit is required or whether, and to what extent, the public land managers have the authority to preclude or set limitations on spotlight coyote hunting on the public lands within their jurisdiction.

North Carolina is home to the only wild population of red wolves. Red wolves bred in captivity were reintroduced on a North Carolina peninsula within their native range in the late 1980’s after red wolves were declared extinct in the wild. Once common throughout the Southeast, intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat decimated wild red wolf populations.

California moved one step closer to deciding whether to protect the gray wolf under the California Endangered Species Act, by accepting a petition that had been filed earlier this year. At its October 3rd public meeting, the California Fish & Game Commission (Commission) voted unanimously to accept a petition that had been filed to list the wolf, thus giving the gray wolf immediate status as a “candidate” for listing, and providing the species full state protections until a final decision is made.

A California native driven to extinction nearly 90 years ago, the wolf had been missing from the state’s landscape until an adolescent wolf from Oregon, wolf OR-7, also known as “Journey,” crossed the state boundary in late December of 2011. OR-7’s dispersal into the state kicked off celebratory shouts from wolf supporters and riveted the world, as satellite signals from his radio-collar made it possible for the state wildlife agency in Oregon to track his travels and provide that information to the Commission. The California Department of Fish and Game (Department) has been keeping the public apprised of OR-7’s ongoing travels in the northern part of the state with updates posted to its website. The wolf’s dispersal into California also kick-started a state listing process after four conservation groups filed a petition with the state to protect this wolf and any subsequent wolf visitors to the state in the future.

Biologist and former attorney Amaroq Weiss, who is the Northern California Representative for the California Wolf Center, gave a presentation at the hearing on behalf of the four petitioning organizations and on behalf of the California Wolf Center. “We are extremely pleased that the Commission accepted the petition and started the next step in the process,” said Ms. Weiss. “Ever since Journey wandered into our state, the California Department of Fish and Game has been very proactive in connecting with stakeholders, working out management steps with federal authorities, and keeping County Commissioner, private landowners and the general public apprised of their efforts.

The Department is clearly prepared to take on the role of protecting and recovering this iconic native species. If the Commission, down the road, ends up listing the wolf, it will give the Department the broadest range of tools and measures available under California law to accomplish this task.”

In accepting the petition, the Commission not only initiated the next step in the process, it implicitly recognized the wolf as a vibrant part of California’s natural history and natural heritage. Californian’s who support the return of wolves to the state hope the process continues with a final decision in the coming year for full state protection as a listed species. The Commission had received 7,000 letters from the public in support of accepting the petition, in contrast to the 33 letters received in opposition.

“Californians have spoken loud and clear that we welcome the return of wolves to our state,” said Camilla Fox, Executive Director of Project Coyote and Wildlife Consultant to the Animal Welfare Institute who testified before the Commission on behalf of six organizations. “We commend the California Department of Fish and Game and the Commission for their proactive stance and we stand poised to work with them to promote wolf recovery, increase acceptance, and implement effective strategies that foster coexistence.”

Concerned groups asked a state court to stop spotlight hunting of coyotes at night in North Carolina—including the area inhabited by the world’s only wild population of about 100 red wolves—after one or more of the wolves was killed. The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the motion for preliminary injunction (read Memo in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction here) and a request for expedited hearing in Wake County Superior Court on behalf of the Animal Welfare Institute, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Red Wolf Coalition.

The law center also today sent a notice letter to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that the commission is in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act by allowing spotlight hunting of coyotes and the groups will file a federal enforcement action unless steps are taken to protect the wolves.

“We hope that the commission will take necessary measures to avoid killing of red wolves,” said Derb Carter, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center who represents the groups. “The killing of an endangered red wolf just over a month since the commission allowed spotlight hunting of coyotes at night is a clear signal that the rule is a danger to wild red wolves. We’ve asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to confirm reports that additional wolves have been shot since the rule went into effect.”

At least one of the few remaining wild red wolves (Canis rufus) has been killed since the rule went into effect. On September 4, a red wolf was found dead by gunshot within the eastern North Carolina area designated for red wolf recovery. Red wolves and coyotes are similar in size, coats, and coloring so red wolves are frequently mistaken for coyotes, even in daylight. Gunshot deaths are a significant threat to red wolf recovery and a leading cause of red wolf mortality.

“With fewer than 100 red wolves in the wild, we cannot afford to lose a single one to accidental shooting,” said Jason Rylander, senior staff attorney at Defenders of Wildlife. “Spotlight hunting of coyotes is a new and unnecessary threat to the conservation of red wolves.”

By allowing night hunting of coyotes, the commission is committing an unlawful take (i.e., harass, harm, hunt, or kill) of the red wolf. The US Fish and Wildlife Service stated in its public comments that the Commission’s rule “amendments to allow night hunting have the potential to result in unauthorized take of red wolves.”

“It is the Commission’s duty to follow the law and protect wildlife in the state. Daytime coyote hunting has, for years, hindered wolf recovery,” said AWI legal associate Tara Zuardo. “The addition of night hunting will result in more red wolf deaths and further damage the recovery effort.”

North Carolina is home to the world’s only wild population of red wolves. Red wolves bred in captivity were reintroduced on a North Carolina peninsula within their native range in the late 1980’s after red wolves were declared extinct in the wild. Once common throughout the Southeast, intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat eliminated wild red wolf populations.

A North Carolina court halted a temporary state rule that allowed spotlight hunting of coyotes at night in the five-county area of eastern North Carolina inhabited by the world’s only wild population of red wolves (Canis rufus) on Wednesday, November 21. The ruling came in response to a preliminary injunction motion and request for expedited hearing filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) in Wake County Superior Court on behalf of the Animal Welfare Institute, Defenders of Wildlife, and the Red Wolf Coalition.

“We are grateful that the court recognized the lethal threat spotlight hunting of coyotes at night poses to the few remaining red wolves,” said Tara Zuardo, a legal associate at the Animal Welfare Institute. “We need to focus on protecting and restoring this population in the wild, as it is essential to the conservation of the species. The red wolf needs these areas of protected habitat to survive.”

At least four of the 100 or so wild red wolves have been killed since the rule went into effect. Red wolves and coyotes are similar in size, coats, and coloring so red wolves are frequently mistaken for coyotes, even in daylight.  Gunshot deaths are a significant threat to red wolf recovery and a leading cause of red wolf mortality.

By allowing night hunting of coyotes, the Commission was committing an unlawful take (i.e., harass, harm, hunt, or kill) of the red wolf.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stated in its public comments that to allow night hunting would “have the potential to result in unauthorized take of red wolves.”

An identical permanent rule that would allow spotlight hunting of coyotes at night in North Carolina could still go into effect if it is not blocked by the state legislature in January.  SELC notified the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission that it is in violation of the federal Endangered Species Act by allowing spotlight hunting of coyotes, and the groups will file a federal enforcement action unless the Commission takes steps to protect the wolves.

“Today, the court acted to prevent the killing of more endangered red wolves,” said Derb Carter, an SELC senior attorney who represents the groups. “Now the Commission should make sure its permanent rule to allow spotlighting of coyotes will not further harm red wolves.”

North Carolina is home to the world’s only wild population of these wolves.  Captive-bred red wolves were reintroduced into a portion of their native range in the late 1980s after the wolves were declared extinct in the wild. Once common throughout the Southeast, intensive predator control programs and loss of habitat had eliminated all wild red wolf populations.