FreeLists / va-bird / [va-bird] Re: Wolves

[LeighTern@xxxxxxx]

Bob wrote:
"The biggest problem with the deer is in and around the cities. If the wolf 
is the solution, is it the solution there also?
 
I'd love to see wolves too but not necessarily in my back yard."
 
I don't know about introducing Wolves to cities like D.C I would surmise that 
it would not work. However, here in Shenandoah Valley in suburban/rural 
environments   there are tons of deer and they cause lots of 
problems. 

I watched a documentary about Wolves in ( I believe) Spain in which Wolves 
were living in fairly close proximity to  humans. There did not seem 
to be 
any problems with that arrangement. Wolves are extremely shy around people, 
unlike  Coyotes  or Bears both of which live in close 
proximity to 
people here in the Shenandoah Valley. Bears attack people every year and are 
extremely unpredictable in their behavior. Coyotes attack pets and perhaps 
sheep 
and cattle. We had a bear in downtown Winchester a few years back. When I was 
in College years back 1980s a bear showed up at the Girl's Freshman dorm. 
Usually these wandering bears are seen in winter time when food is 
scarce.  We 
live in close proximity to  Bears and in my opinion  bears 
are far 
more dangerous than Wolves.  I have had a Bear Charge me while hiking 
in 
the Smokies, it isn't something you forget. Fortunately for me it is a just a 
good story to tell kids since I escaped unscathed. I have also stared 
transfixed pretty and pretty much helpless, as I watched  a 
friend  being 
chased by bear on another occassion. They really are animals that have to be 
respected and observed from a distance and yet we coexist with Bears fairly 
well. 
I believe the population density for Black Bears is higher in the Shen Nat 
Park than anywhere else in North America.  Moose are apparently very 
dangerous too and according to some reports that I read while in ME and Canada 
last 
summer  are the source of more human attacks than bears. I must say 
though that my Moose sightings didn't get the adrenaline running the same as a 
bear 
sighting, but perhaps that is just my ignorance. As far as Wolves go I 
can't&
nbsp; unequivecly say that there are no substantive reports of wolves 
attacking people in North America. However,  I have read that claim in 
numerous 
articles in repected journals/magazines concerning wolves. If there are 
substantial reports or accounts of Wolves attacking people I would really like 
to 
read them, for that would pretty much blast a hole through the whole idea of 
using wolves to cull deer populations. 

So I guess my logic goes like this:

We have a problem : over population of Deer 
which result in auto accidents - I know of one death and two other friends&
nbsp;     seriously injured in a deer collision accident) 

      Lyme tick disease 
and   reduction of 
habitat for birds that tend to nest and  forage low to the ground. 

Solutions : 

Shoot deer and use the meat to feed the homeless 
Sterilize deer
give up .... or  
Introduce Predators. 

 Wolves are superb hunters and  Deer are there natural prey. 
Because&
nbsp; Wolves are extremely wary of people, and  are not known to 
attack 
people,  I believe reintroducing Wolves is the  most 
effective way to 
solve this problem.  Besides wouldn't you love to be out birding and 
see 
Wolf tracks in the snow, or hear the call  and song of the Wolf as you 
camp 
in the mountains? When birders travel to Africa or South America don't we 
sally forth knowing one has opportunities to see large carnivores poisonous 
snakes etc etc? Are we so afraid of taking chances that we can't do what makes 
the 
most sense. 

Just my opinion,  I am sure many would disagree. My concern or 
question 
to those that disagree with this line of thinking is, do they disagree based 
on ancient myths, fairy tales, cultural predispositions and psychological 
presupositions or do they have a legitimate concern based on legitimate 
scientific 
facts. 

Sincerly,

William Leigh
Leightern@xxxxxxx
Winchester VA

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