These bounties are yet another example of humans creating a problem, and then forcing animals to pay for it with their lives. As Tove Reece poignantly pointed out, much of what policy makers base their decisions on, is based on misinformation, emotional stakeholders, and minimal, if any, science. Livestock producers; grain farmers who produce feed for livestock; and unrelenting urban sprawl are systematically swallowing up natural habitats, thereby precipitating human: wildlife conflicts. The displaced wildlife species that actually survive and adapt this encroachment, are then maligned and hunted down. Besides physical invading their territories, humans further encourage wildlife encounters by letting their cats and small dogs run free; and by leaving pet food, compost piles and garbage out in close proximity to tempt these opportunistic species.

Not only do policies tend to be knee-jerk reactions based on emotions, but they also tend to take the path of least resistance. After all, it’s far easier to label a species as a pest, and then poison or shoot them; than it is to entertain new ideas.

In my opinion, the Fish and Wildlife policies promote the systematic elimination of wildlife species (including predators, wild horses, ungulates, Richardson ground squirrels) which compete with livestock, or get too close to human developments; regardless if the threat is real or imagined.

The age-old practice of predator “control” is one such policy. Once the predators (like wolves, coyotes, cougars, and bears) are eliminated (often in inhumane ways); the cervid (deer, moose, elk), rodent and rabbit populations tend to explode. Soon, the burgeoning populations of hoofed species begin competing with livestock and cause motor vehicle collisions, as well as they outstrip their resources, many succumb to winter starvation. Richardson ground squirrels are also targeted as their numbers increase. And how do humans handle this- they increase the number of tags sold to hunters, and encourage rodent extermination programs. Predator “control” programs therefore create an imbalance, which in turn perpetuates a vicious cycle of killing. Predator control programs read like a recipe for carnage, just rinse and repeat.

Bounties have repeatedly been shown not to work, as suppressed populations respond by producing even more young. It cannot be over-emphasized, that killing only begets more killing. Nature has its own checks and balances, yet humans continue to interfere at every level, believing they know best. In the end, the animals pay the ultimate price for these irrational approaches.

What is needed is a comprehensive evaluation of actual research data, followed by the formulation of rational short-term and long-term solutions, which would allow wildlife and humans to coexist harmoniously. Short-term solutions need not be complex, or costly. Farmers can guard their livestock with dogs (i.e.: Kuvasc, Scotch Collies, German Shepherds), donkeys or llamas. Other ideas that can be considered commonsense, include better fencing, solar powered electrical fencing, perhaps corralling herd/flocks at night, closer supervision of livestock especially during calving or lambing season, garbage proofing, meal-feeding pets instead of free feeding from buckets, and keeping small pets indoors at night.

Long-term solutions should also be considered, ie: a requirement for environmental impact studies to be completed before major developments are approved; the creation of natural corridors which interconnect to accommodate wildlife species with large home ranges or those that migrate; and incentives for large land owners to keep parts of their land naturalized, to allow visual security for prey species. In addition, heftier penalties should be issued for poaching or causing harm to wildlife, as we need to foster a healthier  respect for wildlife.

It is time that we take responsibility of how we are negatively impacting mother earth. We also need to put the “humane” back in “humanity” by finding ways to harmoniously co-exist with wildlife. It should no longer be acceptable that animals should die because of human ignorance. And, it would serve us all well to heed Chief Seattle’s warning, that what ever happens to the animals, soon happens to man, as we are all interconnected. Callous disregard for the intrinsic value that all species have on the human experience, is a shortsighted vision that will come back to haunt not only our society, but all future generations.

Dr. Debi Zimmermann BSc. (Zoology),  D.V.M.
Sherwood Park, AB