We have recently been informed at the Canadian Wolf Coalition that the BC government is in the planning stages of creating a provincial wolf management plan. While this is something that we at the CWC have been advocating for we are extremely concerned that conservation groups and ENGO's, as well as wolf biologists, First Nations peoples, the general public and shareholders are being left out of the discussion. Without our voices there may be no "conservation" in the plan (just management), and we are concerned that not all strategies to address potential conflicts will be ethical, responsible, nor pro-active in terms of best future for wildlife. Please become involved and help ensure we're heard!
Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations (Minister Steve Thomson) is overseeing this. Stephen Wilson is the biologist who has been contracted out to work on the plan, and he is the same individual that put together the predator control proposal in 2009. Below is what we feel are the preliminary principles for a BC Wolf Conservation and Management Plan, put together by Gary Allen of the CWC.
Contact Minister Thomson to urge consultation with ENGOs
In the past, little if any thought was given to see the impacts of a wolf control program upon wolves, ungulate populations and health of ecosystems. Wolf management was reactionary. Usually to a powerful anti-wolf group such as the ranchers or the hunting fraternity.
In the future, this reactionary management style must be replaced with an ecosystems proactive management style.
It is important to have healthy & stable wolf packs & not to fragment these packs.
The province should invest the resources necessary to educate people about the true nature of wolves, in order to gain tolerance and dispel current misunderstandings.
Preliminary Principles for Wolf Management & Conservation in BC
There are certain principles that need to be enunciated in this plan to address the conservation component. Without these principles included into the plan, we will not be able to monitor & hold accountable Fish & Wildlife managers as they implement this provincial plan.
Here is a list of principles for review & comment:
1. Wolves have an inherent right to exist in BC in healthy numbers
2. Any management plan for wolves & its prey will be based on an “ecosystems” approach.
3. Genetic structure of wolves in BC will be protected
4. The First Nations view of the wolf will be strongly considered rather than the European view.
5. There needs to be ongoing research & monitoring of wolves, along with their prey to ensure ecosystems are remaining healthy.
6. Wolves & other large carnivores have an inherent right to their prey before human hunters.
7. Ongoing public education on the wolf is essential to maintain its inherent value to the ecosystem.
8. Non-lethal animal husbandry practices must be used & deployed by ranchers before any lethal methods are used.
9. No hunting or trapping of wolves. If hunting and trapping of wolves continues to be allowed, all hunting of wolves should be based on Fair Chase. No use of snowmobiles, ATV’s, etc. will be allowed. Section 27(3) of the Wildlife Act needs to be amended & improved. No baiting of wolves allowed nor hunting during the pupping season (April 1 – June 15)
10. Mandatory reporting of all wolves killed & trapped in all 8 regions.
11. Wolf tag required to hunt wolves.
12. No use of any poison for predator control.
13. No use of fertility control (sterilization) of wolves.
14. No use of aerial hunting to control wolves.
