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Spring Salutations
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[Photo: Yellowstone Natl. Park]
 
“Conservation is a cause that has no end.
There is no point at which we will say our work is finished.”
- Rachel Carson
 
As Rachel Carson said, conservation is a cause that has no end, which is something we connect with. We know there will always be work to do, causes to stand up and speak up for. Conservation is a journey itself, and journeys are often less about how or when you started, or how and when you finished the journey, it’s about the stories, challenges and successes during the journey. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of member organizations of the Pacific Wolf Coalition (PWC), our work continues to be just as valuable and important now as when we started this conservation journey a few years ago.

Speaking of PWC member organizations and journeys, here’s a message the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center (KS Wild), a member organization of PWC: 

The long distance travels of “Journey” aka wolf OR-7 and the eventual home-making in southwest Oregon in 2015 not only gave our local supporters reason to rejoice - but also gave us a tangible vision of rewilding of nature: a hopeful promise of a new wolf lineage in the region. OR-7’s incredible story exemplifies our work to protect and restore wild nature in the Klamath-Siskiyou region of southwest Oregon and northwest California.
 
[Photo: Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife]

We work hard to protect the exceptionally biodiverse Klamath-Siskiyou region by promoting science-based land and water conservation through policy and community action. As a place based, grassroots nonprofit organization, KS Wild’s engagement in coalitions such as the PWC helps us work with allies in the West to raise our voice for conservation of native species and spectacular wild places in our region.
 
Working with the PWC has been a natural fit for us, both in helping further conservation work for wolves, and to leverage our own current work in protecting wolf habitat. KS Wild is a founding member of the Pacific Wolf Coalition and is a member of the steering committee.
 
This past year, building upon the regional excitement for the return of wolves, we focused on public outreach with some support from the PWC. Owing in part to the great charisma of wolves, each of the events was well attended; a film showing of OR-7 The Expedition, a speaker’s event with Richard Thiel and local author Beckie Elgin,and an outdoor tracking workshop for families.  
 
The future of Oregon’s wolf management promises to be exciting with the upcoming release of the revised Oregon Wolf Management plan, and other uncertain political influences. We look forward to the road ahead, knowing we will work with the partnerships though the Pacific Wolf Coalition.
 
KS Wild envisions a region where local communities enjoy healthy wildlands,where clean rivers are teeming with native salmon, and where connected plant and wildlife populations are prepared for climate change.
 
KS Wild achieves this vision through outreach and advocacy-based education, by building community support for the conservation of the region’s special places and natural gems, by being the watchdog and steward of northern California and southern Oregon’s public lands, public trust waters, and the diversity of plant and animal life.   
            Photo: National Park Service]
 
BREAKING NEWS IN OREGON:
 
On March 2nd, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) reported that a collared male wolf, of the Shamrock pack in northeast Oregon, was inadvertently killed and found dead on February 26th when it encountered an M-44 device, a spring-activated device containing cyanide powder. This device was in place as part of Wildlife Service’s operations to control coyotes and prevent coyote-livestock conflict on private lands. This incident is a true tragedy and we will continue to follow this incident for updates and will share any additional information as we have it available. Below is ODFW's report and statement:
 
Wolf dies in unintentional take in northeast Oregon
Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife
March 2, 2017
Correction: Wolf was found dead on Feb 26.
 
SALEM, Ore.—Wolf OR48, a Shamrock Pack adult male, died on Feb. 26 on private land in northeast Oregon after an unintentional take by the US Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services.
 
The wolf died after encountering an M-44 device, a spring-activated device containing cyanide powder. The device was in place as part of Wildlife Services operations to control coyotes and prevent coyote-livestock conflict on private land in northeast Oregon.
 
“The death of this wolf shows the risk involved when wolves are in areas where Wildlife Services conducts these types of operations,” said Doug Cottam, ODFW Wildlife Division administrator. “This is a situation we take seriously and we’ll be working with Wildlife Services with the goal of preventing it from happening again.” 
 
ODFW and Wildlife Services are evaluating the incident and discussing how to prevent unintentional capture or take of wolves while addressing livestock damage problems.
 
“Wildlife Services’ specialists care about wildlife and work hard to prevent the unintentional take of animals when addressing human-wildlife conflicts,” said Dave Williams, state director for USDA Wildlife Services in Oregon.  “We have begun an internal review of this incident to see if any changes to our procedures are necessary.”
 
Wolf OR48 was collared on Feb. 10 of this year in Wallowa County and was part of the Shamrock Wolf Pack. At the time of collaring, he weighed over 100 pounds and was estimated to be just under two years old. Wolf OR48 was not the breeding male of the pack.
###

For more insights and news regarding this incident, click on the links below:
 
The U.S. Government Just Used This ‘Tool’ And Killed An Innocent Wolf
 
ODFW will investigate accidental cyanide death of Oregon gray wolf
 
Feds kill wolf in Wallowa County with cyanide trap
 
Wolf dies in unintentional take in northeast Oregon
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Other Pacific West News:
 
If you’re in Oregon, mark your calendars for April 21st:
As the review process of Oregon’s Wolf Conservation and Management Plan (Plan) is underway, we’ve learned the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) has indicated some kind of “controlled hunt” of wolves will be included in its proposals for the Plan. On April 21st, the ODFW Commission will hold a meeting in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The public will have a chance to testify about any proposals ODFW puts forth. Especially if you reside in Oregon, add this important date to your calendar. You can also send your written thoughts via email to: odfw.commission@state.or.us. The ODFW will release its full proposals in early April.
 
OREGON NEWS:

February 28th: WASHINGTON NEWS:
 
February 24th: OTHER NEWS: Wolves in Wyoming
 
Court rules to lift federal protections for Wyoming wolves
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[Photo: Wolf in Washington state, National Geographic]
 
Here’s to spring beginnings and here’s to continued work to help wolves recover to their historic landscapes in the Pacific West. Thanks for joining us and staying involved. Follow us on Facebook (Pacific Wolves) and via our websites at:
For the wolves,
 
Lindsay
Coordinator, Pacific Wolf Coalition
coordinator@pacificwolves.org
Copyright © 2017 Pacific Wolf Coalition, All rights reserved.


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