Island News & Views
General · 28th March 2007
gbeditor
Calling all islanders who feel wolves and cougars have a place on our island! Please send a letter to the Hon. Barry Penner urging the government to bring an end to the recreational hunting of cougars and wolves on Quadra. You can use elements from this sample letter, or of course draft your own. Thanks for making your voice heard!
Dear Mr Penner:
RE: _Recreational Hunting of Cougars and Wolves on Quadra Island._
I am writing to say that I disagree with the hunting of wolves and cougars on Quadra Island. The deer and other prey populations on the island are healthy and offer no 'management rationale' for the hunting of these predators. In fact, predation by wolves and cougars is a necessary factor in sustaining the health of local deer populations.
As for wolves, they are highly evolved and lead a complex social life. Studies have shown that they have a social hierarchy and division of labour, that they cooperate in hunting, and take communal care of their young. Killing adults with dependent young is ultimately the same thing as killing the young directly. It also interrupts the social transfer of information between generations, and reduces genetic variability.
Due to its size, Quadra Island can sustainably support one or two wolf packs. But six wolves have been killed over this fall and winter, and five in the preceding year – that islanders know about. I am concerned that these killings may already have threatened the survival of Quadra's wolf population.
Wolves and cougars are not only elements of a healthy wilderness, they are also symbols of the people in the region and the province. We can't be taken seriously as 'Super Natural British Columbia' – or perceived as creating 'the greenest Olympics ever' – if we are seen as condoning the killing of wolves and cougars as a recreational pastime! It is time to stop appeasing the few while offending the many.
Please send a copy to Claire Trevena MLA, 908 Island Highway, Campbell River BC V9W 2C3.
Hon. Barry Penner
PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt
Rm 112, Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC v8W 9E2
Thanks to Leanne Hodges for the beautiful illustration!
Dear Mr Penner:
RE: _Recreational Hunting of Cougars and Wolves on Quadra Island._
I am writing to say that I disagree with the hunting of wolves and cougars on Quadra Island. The deer and other prey populations on the island are healthy and offer no 'management rationale' for the hunting of these predators. In fact, predation by wolves and cougars is a necessary factor in sustaining the health of local deer populations.
As for wolves, they are highly evolved and lead a complex social life. Studies have shown that they have a social hierarchy and division of labour, that they cooperate in hunting, and take communal care of their young. Killing adults with dependent young is ultimately the same thing as killing the young directly. It also interrupts the social transfer of information between generations, and reduces genetic variability.
Due to its size, Quadra Island can sustainably support one or two wolf packs. But six wolves have been killed over this fall and winter, and five in the preceding year – that islanders know about. I am concerned that these killings may already have threatened the survival of Quadra's wolf population.
Wolves and cougars are not only elements of a healthy wilderness, they are also symbols of the people in the region and the province. We can't be taken seriously as 'Super Natural British Columbia' – or perceived as creating 'the greenest Olympics ever' – if we are seen as condoning the killing of wolves and cougars as a recreational pastime! It is time to stop appeasing the few while offending the many.
Please send a copy to Claire Trevena MLA, 908 Island Highway, Campbell River BC V9W 2C3.
Hon. Barry Penner
PO Box 9047 Stn Prov Govt
Rm 112, Parliament Buildings
Victoria BC v8W 9E2
Thanks to Leanne Hodges for the beautiful illustration!