Editor: Thank you to the Outlook for the recent article and editorial regarding wolf bounties in the province of Alberta.
I have been part of a group of loosely organized individuals trying to raise awareness of this issue among citizens. While I echo the sentiments of the editor that it is deplorable that we even have to speak about this in our time of living, I am happy when this issue is given a very public forum.
While the Bow Valley may pride itself on its concern for wildlife and the more-than-human world, I have on more than one occasion found that the issue of wolf bounties has been a difficult topic to engage around here.
There are many people who have no problem championing sexy causes such as large landscape conservation in general or reintroduction of bison to the national park, yet some of those same people appear quite willing to turn a blind eye to the blatant and legally sanctioned animal cruelty happening outside park boundaries. Regarding our government, efforts to engage officials have been mixed.
My own observations are that the NDP appear to be as at risk of being influenced by special interest groups as the former Conservatives. Environment Minister Shannon Phillips, in a message posted on the government website to Alberta trappers for the start of their season, referred to trapping as an important “social” and “recreational” activity.
There have also been denials about the inhumaneness of snare traps, with an insistence that “regulations” conform to “the highest standards.”
Recently, Minister Phillips has been silent and failed to answer correspondence on this issue from me and many others. When you consider the fact that people with distorted projections of wolves happen to be granted a strong say with our government because of their commercial interests, it means that wolves require a chorus of voices from the rest of us in order to protect what I feel is their basic right to be free from persecution and inhumane treatment.
I hope some of you will consider speaking up. Please note that it will require a certain persistence if it is to make any difference – otherwise, it will be “business as usual” for Alberta wolves.
Monica Dragosz,
Canmore
