To the editor: The decision by California ranchers to kill endangered wolves in response to livestock losses is regarding and counterproductive (“Killing wolves remains a crime in California. But a rebellion is brewing,” Might 30). Deadly measures undermine years of conservation progress made for a species nonetheless in restoration.
Wolves play an important position in sustaining wholesome ecosystems. The resurgence of wolves in California signifies a optimistic step towards ecological steadiness after their close to eradication.
Protections beneath the California Endangered Species Act are in place to make sure the species’ continued restoration and to advertise coexistence methods. The California Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Wolf-Livestock Compensation Program, which not solely compensates for direct losses but additionally helps nonlethal deterrent measures, ought to be expanded and not less than partly funded by those who revenue off our public lands, such because the Cattlemen’s Assn. and companies resembling Tyson, JBS and Cargill.
Different Western states permit killing wolves indiscriminately. California should set the instance the place nature is the precedence, not industries that disproportionately contribute to local weather change and degrade ecosystems.
Judie Mancuso, Laguna Seashore
This author is founder and president of animal advocacy nonprofit Social Compassion in Laws.
..
To the editor: I’m an environmentally involved citizen, however it simply appears the aggressive wolves in Northern California have to have their worry of human beings restored. Widespread sense tells me that the ranchers ought to be allowed to clip a couple of right here and there.
Mike Sovich, Glendale
..
To the editor: This text made me surprise why cattlemen don’t put a number of donkeys into their herd of cattle. Donkeys can bond with the cattle, and they’re good and able to serving to preserve wolves from attacking them. It could be a pure option to cut back or get rid of the menace.
Deborah Sheflin, Norco
..
To the editor: Probably the most prolific cattle killers should not the wolves, because the article states, however the barbaric trade that slaughters tens of hundreds of thousands of those light beings yearly simply so we are able to purchase low cost burgers. When a wolf pack kills what’s now simple prey, it’s so an endangered species can survive. If we hadn’t decimated the habitat that supported a wholesome wildlife inhabitants, then this battle wouldn’t exist.
Tim Viselli, La Cañada Flintridge
..
To the editor: Wolves, a local species, roamed these lands for a whole lot of 1000’s of years and are returning after a quick human-caused interruption. Ranchers increase cattle, a nonnative species, on public lands beneath cheap grazing permits backed by taxpayers. Even with wolves, the ranchers have an excellent deal.
Thomas Bliss, Los Angeles
