Related to the second story above is an interesting one I heard today.
A friend of mine reported to a livestock operator family that their heifer was stuck in a cattle guard. Their sympathetic response, “I guess we’ll have hamburger tonight.”
One anecdote doesn’t prove a point, but it illustrates my point.
To those people who try to tug on folk’s heartstrings that the “brutal” wolf that ate their calf or cow, everyone knows you don’t raise cattle because you want some dewy-eyed pets around. You would do well to take your livestock to slaughter and watch and help kill them like they do in other cultures — ethically instructive. Are you better or worse than the wolf? Or maybe the question is not even relevant?
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project.
I just finished reading David E. Brown’s book “The Wolf in the Southwest,” an extraordinary historical look back at the near-extirpation of wolves from New Mexico, west Texas, and Arizona. The hunting, trapping and poisoning of lobos shows just how far we’ve come and how far we’ve yet to go before all critters get a fair chance.
Alan,
If you haven’t read Michael R. Robinson’s “Predatory Bureaucracy,” you might want to check it out. It’s definitely dense and requires a dictionary at the ready, but it also sums up the near complete extirpation of the wolves in a way that makes you feel lucky they are still around. It’s an astounding glimpse of what the numbers used to be. Really an inspiring read for anyone engaging with these issues.
Thanks for letting us know that Brown’s book is a worthy read as well.
And if you have never seen it, I would also recommend watching the movie, “Fast Food Nation”…
If you can, the squeamish like me, often have to look away.
Robinson also puts on a really great slideshow on the history of Mexican wolf extirpation and reintroduction, which he frequently updates. You can find his contact info via the Center for Biological Diversity’s web site. I don’t know how far afield he’s able and willing to go, but I know his presentations aren’t limited to the immediate area of AZ and NM.
Ralph–that little story about the heifer in the cattleguard says so much! THAT needs to be pointed out every time we hear wolf complaints! At least they get compensated for wolf kills with some programs.
Allan Gregory–David E. Brown is a great writer. If you are interested he also chronicled the extinction of “The Grizzly in the Southwest” in the book titled the same. It is well-written if you are interested!