Our alleged “dominion” over animals leads us towards arrogance, but it should serve also to remind us of our limitations. Mankind’s power over nature often serves to narrow the areas of our concerns, but it should also remind us of the richness and diversity of existence. Life in the world of humans can serve to corrupt our souls, but the time spent with animals only cleanses. For nature establishes the basic truths that serve as the touchstone of our humanity.
Among the issues facing our country at this strange time, is a quiet one that resonates most in our part of the land. The fate of the wild horses and burros that are a distinct link to our Western Heritage is not by any means certain, unless something is soon done. Thankfully the Trump Administration's previously floated march towards a far less humane approach to these noble creatures has been halted for now but given pandemic related stressors on the federal budget, each year will be a grim life or death struggle
Current policies toward these equines appear to point to one of two futures, either driving the populations to cripplingly low, non-viable levels or for totally eliminating them from their legal areas.
Even if one accepts the BLM estimates of how many wild horses and burros remain on public lands, this populace hardly represents an ecological issue given the dictates of the 50-year-old public law, unless one believes their worst-case scenario ratio of one burro or horse per 1,766 acres represents an environmental catastrophe. Unless one supports an increasing return to America of policies that facilitate increased horse slaughter. these numbers are a travesty.
Our government’s current goal has been to drastically reduce the already tiny wild herds and BLM seeks to remove at least 20,000 in this fiscal year, to go along with its ongoing sterilization programs. Animals that represent our regional and national heritage are being threatened by the agencies (BLM & USFS) charged with their protection, in the name of reducing alleged overcrowding of these species that does not remotely exist.
Even if one accepts the BLM estimates of how many wild horses and burros remain on public lands, this populace hardly represents an ecological issue given the dictates of the 50-year-old public law, unless one believes their worst-case scenario ratio of one burro or horse per 1,766 acres represents an environmental catastrophe. Unless one supports an increasing return to America of policies that facilitate increased horse slaughter. these numbers are a travesty.
Our government’s current goal has been to drastically reduce the already tiny wild herds and BLM seeks to remove at least 20,000 in this fiscal year, to go along with its ongoing sterilization programs. Animals that represent our regional and national heritage are being threatened by the agencies (BLM & USFS) charged with their protection, in the name of reducing alleged overcrowding of these species that does not remotely exist.
This intolerable and ridiculous situation, mandates solutions that serve to preserve America’s wild horses and burros populations as viable natural herds throughout the West and to eliminate the cruel, ever-escalating, and disruptive helicopter roundups and reproductive manipulations that are only making a mockery of the Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
Most animal-related charities in our country, saw the 2008-2009 recession increase the need for their services as people are forced to relinquish and abandon animals they no longer afford, while the donor bases were cannibalized by retrenchments in personal economic situations. Unlike other species, our wild horses and burros are being confronted by federal agencies dedicated to their destruction for reasons that pass all understanding. the dislocations caused by the 2020 COVID-19 have the potential to become much, much worse.
Most animal-related charities in our country, saw the 2008-2009 recession increase the need for their services as people are forced to relinquish and abandon animals they no longer afford, while the donor bases were cannibalized by retrenchments in personal economic situations. Unlike other species, our wild horses and burros are being confronted by federal agencies dedicated to their destruction for reasons that pass all understanding. the dislocations caused by the 2020 COVID-19 have the potential to become much, much worse.
In recent days I've also become acquainted with another tragedy too often seen in the West. I certainly understand that coyotes are a danger to our pets if we are not careful. They are not popular animals.
But seeing this still-living baby coyote left for hours to suffer and die while playing golf late one very hot afternoon upsets me. There is no reason that even if folks were not inclined to assist the creature, that the many people that very apparently drove by and saw this could not have called animal control. We did, and the officer who came helped us place the being into a pet carrier so we could try to get him/her to a wildlife rescue. Sadly we were unable to do so in time.
Not everybody wants to get that involved, which I respect. (And yes, I certainly agree that people should always err on the side of caution when approaching a wild predatory animal) But even if the end result is that if Animal Control is called and the animal is put down by the officers, it's a better outcome for everybody, including the creature.
One of the nicer things about living in the less developed areas is the fact that we do live in close proximity to nature. I'm never going to win the argument that those choosing to hunt and kill coyotes and other animals in the hills are wrong, so I will not even "go there." But we all can consider calling the local authorities to address this and similar situations going forward.
One of the nicer things about living in the less developed areas is the fact that we do live in close proximity to nature. I'm never going to win the argument that those choosing to hunt and kill coyotes and other animals in the hills are wrong, so I will not even "go there." But we all can consider calling the local authorities to address this and similar situations going forward.
I found out what probably happened to this poor creature. someone decided to go up the hill, search out the coyote den, and kill the little person's family. So the poor emaciated pup wandered down a very steep hill to Hole 10, and died a pretty sad death.
I realize that I'm not going to win a debate on how wrong I think hunting these animals are. Coyotes form family units not that far removed from human behavior. Let's say (in theory) a coyote attacked a pet and the owner wanted revenge, chances are that the actual perpetrator was living far removed from the den, as the area they resided in has a profusion of small prey.
I do not want to get into an extended debate on the Second Amendment, or the desirability of protecting the animals we like more. I've lived in areas that have sizable populations of desert wildlife, and have heard every excuse for driving away donkeys, bighorn sheep (both protected by law), and coyotes. the fact is, that we as a species have chosen to invade their natural habitats, which is the main reason we see these creatures to begin with.
Obviously, we are all entitled to our opinions, and I do not want to engage in a circular debate on hunting, guns, the upcoming elections, or the entire litany of arguments people employ both pros and cons. I do think that if an entire family of creatures was shot for whatever reason, it's wrong, and I feel an obligation to oppose that approach.
We hear the phrase "All Lives Matter" tossed about like a football too often. But when it comes to these animals, I wish it was actually true.
MANY BLESSINGS - NOEL
