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Actually, Idaho's caribou are a different species from the Canadian caribou. Since our caribou are the last remaining natives of their kind in the lower 48, they are endangered. And so rare you were lucky to see them at all.
The wolves haven't gotten them all yet. And the wolves brought down from Canada are the same species of wolf that lived in Idaho.
There have always been a few of them that drifted south over the border, long before the re-introduction, and they settled in the panhandle. None ever made it as far south as the wilderness area, where the first packs were re-introduced into.
I saw a picture of one of these wolves in 1962, when I was talking to a cowboy who had a ranch in the Potlatch area. He snapped it while moving some of his cattle on his range.
Mike, there are a total of 6 different subspecies of caribou (3 major ones). The woodland subspecies that are part of the small herd in southern BC and that occasionally wander into N. Idaho are exactly the same as the woodland caribou that exist in vast numbers in the balance the "mid latitudes" of Canada. These are different than what is in Alaska and the arctic (I believe they are known as "barren ground caribou" but would have to look it up to be sure). The subspecies here is far from actually endangered, though this particular herd is very small.
As to the wolves, they have always existed to some limited extent in the state, though historically a much smaller animal. The wolves trapped in northern Canada are technically the same species...though much larger. Much like a 1400 lb Kodiak bear is actually the same species as the 500 lb Grizzly of N. Idaho. Same species, but much different physically. Evolution has driven animals, particularly predators, in colder, northern regions to grow larger than the same species in warmer areas.
As to the remaining caribou in the southern BC herd, after several attempts to transplant additional animals and build the population, the herd continues to shrink. In the last decade no more than 3 have been observed briefly south of the border, with none several years. Predators are receiving most of the blame. Lion are supposed to be a major predator, but it's hard to believe that the wolves that were planted in the same area and who's population has exploded would turn down a caribou steak if offered.
Yet still, that 1-3 animals that occasionally wander across the border has been enough to "lock up" something like 3 million acres IIRC (I should verify the exact number) with severe limitations on snowmobiling, backcountry camping, ATVs and motorcycling. I have nothing against caribou as such, and face it, the occasional motorized recreation trail doesn't bother them in the least. I have talked with snowmobilers that grew up in the area-they used to see them regularly and the machines didn't cause disturbance.
I'm pretty sure that's not how the Endangered Species Act works.
Some feel that small animals and reptiles are not part of the eco-system and the food chain, they don't understand how nature works. We don't own the earth we just borrow it, it belongs to future generations.
I'm pretty sure that's not how the Endangered Species Act works.
We don't care anymore. The Act has outlived it's usefulness and it needs to be done away with. We the People are tired of these onerous Acts and Regulations that no longer serve a useful purpose.
Illegal aliens walking across the border, driving drunk, killing people etc., no big deal.
But by God, we're not going to let those cattle drink from a stream where a mouse lives!
We are the GOVERNMENT!!!
(Cattle and mice have gotten along in these areas for thousands of years.)
Feds rile ranchers by fencing off water for cattle — to protect a jumping mouse!
Forest Service says it’s mouse habitat
By Valerie Richardson
The Washington Times
Sunday, May 11, 2014
The Obama administration’s crackdown on Western land use has sparked a furor over the Forest Service’s decision to fence off a creek used by thirsty cattle in drought-stricken Otero County, New Mexico.
The Otero County Commission is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss whether to order the sheriff to open the gates against the wishes of Forest Service officials, who have argued that the fence is needed to protect the Agua Chiquita riparian area and habitat for the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse.
Well, I can tell you come from the big city. Ranchers benefit from one of the most generous government welfare system around - grazing permits. The fee for one permit is currently $1.35/animal for the ENTIRE grazing season. This dispute actually involves a single ranch - the 60,000 acre Holcomb Ranch. The Forest Service has fenced off the area in question not merely because of a mouse, but in order to improve riparian habitat which will increase the water supply for everyone. The 'ranchers' on public lands own nothing. The people of the United States own the land, the water and, of course, the rocks, trees and brush. At the end of the day...and there will be an end... the 'ranchers' are just ordinary citizens who 'own' an equal share of our precious public lands. Forget the so-called traditions. This is the 21st century and water is a scarce resource. Why should somebody's concept of 'tradition' trump the people of the USA? No way.
That land belongs to the American People. If the owners of the Holcomb Ranch can't play well with others, let them water their cattle somewhere else on the 60,000 acres they do own rather than on a stream which they don't.
Some feel that small animals and reptiles are not part of the eco-system and the food chain, they don't understand how nature works. We don't own the earth we just borrow it, it belongs to future generations.
I agree. Look what has happened at Yellowstone once the wolves are back. It is all supposed to go together even though we don't understand it all.
Illegal aliens walking across the border, driving drunk, killing people etc., no big deal.
But by God, we're not going to let those cattle drink from a stream where a mouse lives!
We are the GOVERNMENT!!!
(Cattle and mice have gotten along in these areas for thousands of years.)
On land that you own you can decide to let your neighbor's cows drink as much water as you want.
This is land that the government owns, and it makes decisions for a number of reasons, including preservation of the ecosystem.
If you want your elected representatives to allow someone who doesn't own this land to have his cows drink water there, you are free to try to convince them that it is the right thing to do.
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