PREDATOR FRIENDLY FACT SHEET

'It is an arrogant assumption to say that human beings are lords and masters of the lower creatures. On the contrary, being endowed with greater things in life, they are the trustees of the lower kingdom.' -- Gandhi

Predators and Humans living together, is it possible? by Mike Wagner, Freelance Wolf Activist (wolfambassador1@yahoo.com)

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer

'The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.' -- Friedrich Nietzsche

Predator Friendly Ranches are small but they exist. These are ranches that have given up the violent methods of their kin and have decided that the most difficult road, is the one that is most worth it. They have decided that in order to be successful, that they will do the impossible, to live with predators, rather than destroying them.

'I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent.' -- Gandhi

Many sources, including the mass media, know that the issues of Wolf Reintroduction usually cause polarity between Ranchers, and Environmentalists. Whereas many see polarity as a bad thing, harmony can be possible in this case. That would be possible if more Ranchers and the USFWS as a whole, adopted the ways of Predator Freindly Ranching. This could pave the way for peace, instead of comprimising murder as a equitable solution to a problem that is rooted in ignorance and lack of the understanding of life being the most precious thing of all Here is one such example:

'But not all ranchers see wolves as a problem. Will and Jan Holder are infamous among their colleagues of ranchers in Greenlee County, Arizona. Will's family has been in ranching for generations, in fact, his grandfather shot the last known wild wolf in the area. But Jan is a self-described "city girl" and when the couple started their own ranch, they set out to do things differently. The Holders run Ervin's Natural Beef, one of a handful of ranches working with environmental group, Defenders of Wildlife in the "Wolf Country Beef" Program. In order to be allowed to use the Wolf Country Beef label on their products, ranchers must sign an agreement with Defenders of Wildlife. They agree to eliminate the use of lethal and non-selective methods of controlling predators (like leg-hold traps and aerial gunning). They also agree to allow wolf re-colonization on their private lands and agree to cooperate with wolf project personnel. ' --excerpt from the article 'Wolf Friendly Beef'

The Holder's are not alone in a quest that seems laughable to most, and impossible to others, such as the USFWS' Ed Bangs and Mike Jimenez who still believe wolves must die to stop problems with livestock. Becky Weed, a rancher of Belgrade Montana is also in the fight for peace, to live with predators.

'She [Becky Weed] has a genuine concern for the coyotes, mountain lions and bears that roam the Big Sky Country, and she believes they are as important as other wildlife for keeping the environment in balance. "Old-timers talk about how great the Montana country is, but you've got to take care of it," she said. "Killing just doesn't seem to fit." ' --excerpt from the article 'Becky Weed The Best Coyote Defense Since the Road Runner'

Becky Weed is too trying to eliminate the stereotype that ranchers, are horrible people. Some like her and in addition to the Holders, wish that everyone can live in harmony with predators, and without bloodshed.

'She envisions a consumer demand for lamb and wool from sheep herded in a nonviolent setting, much like demand for organic farm products and tuna caught without endangering dolphins.'

' ''We're all suffering because the public is trained to think that all ranchers hate the environment," she asserts. "We have to prove that we're good custodians. There are plenty of buyers who will seek out ranchers doing things in a responsible manner." ' -- excerpt from the article 'Becky Weed The Best Coyote Defense Since the Road Runner'

'For as long as men massacre animals, they will kill each other. Indeed, he who sows the seed of murder and pain cannot reap joy and love.' --Pythagoras

As this quote says above, this is aptly correct. As of July 01, 2004, Mike Jimenez ordered the culling of wolves in Wyoming to keep numbers at a certain level. And wolves are still being murdered, for sport, revenge and hatred. Instead of being shown pictures of how the USFWS kills wolves, what they do to them afterwords, and showing the horror of it, it is guised under the euphemistic word of 'control.' Perpetuating the idea that killing is ok to solve problems, and not find solutions that are non-violent, breeds new conflicts. It continues the need for fear and makes the acceptablity to kill anything, or anyone at anytime, to further build.

Even Ed Bangs, leader of the Gray Wolf 'Recovery' program has ascribed to murder being a popular solution to wolf-livestock issues.

"We don't do wolf control for revenge. We do wolf control to fend off problems." -- Ed Bangs

Many of the Ranching Community, USFWS, and hunters, think the only good wolf is a dead one.

'We are the living graves of murdered beasts, slaughtered to satisfy our appetites. How can we hope in this world to attain the peace we say we are so anxious for?' --George Bernard Shaw (Living Graves, publiished 1951)

In a post 9/11 world, where the emphasis of fighting terrorism, it is ironic, that wolves are still being subjugated with terror, to the point of zoo animals. Being in a bigger cage, being decided what they can and cannot do by human standards, hunted for sport and rules made by humans for them, who have no longer any connection to nature or know how to live with it whatsoever. This is the same thing as what the original colonists of America did. Who imposed their rules and their beliefs on Native Americans, for their benefit of course. Then later killing them, as well forcing them to live in pockets of what was originally their land to roam on. Wolves are declared to be fully recovered. But how can that be when there was a population that existed all over North America? It would be as logical as saying that nature has fully recovered. Again, how is that possible when wolves still die, are culled, hunted for sport, and many of the beasts and plants on this earth are still massacred by humans?

'Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is--whether its victim is human or animal--we cannot expect things to be much better in this world... We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity. ' --Rachel Carson

The only way to end this uneccessary bloodshed, to respect nature and live with it, is to start now by embracing the idea of Predator Friendly Ranching. Their practices can enable humans to live together with wolves. In addition, it will be a start to finally stop the oppression against wolves, and allow humans and wolves to live in harmony. The only way this can be done is for those who want to help, to get involved. Some of them need a wake up call for claiming to help wolves and wildlife, but support murder of wolves and others of the natural world. Contacting the USFWS by just opposing it through phone calls, emails, or letters will further show that as American citizens, it is our obligation to treat nature with respect and to live with it, rather than fear it, subjugate it, oppress it, which is what our country is claiming to fight against in other countries.

'Although the ecological need for wolves is clear, the issue of reintroducing them into their former habitat is complex. The costs of reintroduction are both financial and ethical: under current reintroduction and management programs, wolves are heavily monitored, and are killed when humans deem it necessary. Is a heavily managed wolf still a wild wolf? Our ignorance and intolerance are still the primary threats to the wolf's existence. When our ancestors saw eyes glowing in the flicker of firelight, or shadows weaving in and out of the dark forest, they felt admiration, fear, respect, and awe. Once gone, the wolf cannot be replaced. Open your eyes, your mind, and your heart. We still have much to learn from the wolf.' --Eva-Lena Rehnmark from Neither God nor Deevil: Rethinking Our Perceptions of Wolves.

Resources and Links:

Ervins Grassfed Beef-Predator Friendly Homepage (Information Courtesy of Eat Wild.com)--

'Ervin's Natural Beef is a consortium of ranchers that produces grassfed beef. Their emphasis is on humane treatment of livestock and peaceful co-existence with predators. The animals are free of pesticides, antibiotics, and synthetic hormones. The ranchers are currently applying for organic certification.'

Ervin's Natural Beef, 128 East 19th Street, Safford AZ 85546. (520) 428-0033. Website:

Predator Friendly Non Lethal Methods for Ervins Grassfed Beef

'Predator-Friendly Wool' -

'More Ranchers Are Declaring A Cease-Fire on the Coyote' --

'Livestock Guard Dogs, Llamas and Donkeys' by W.F. Andelt1--

'Becky Weed The Best Coyote Defense Since the Road Runner'

- http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,weed,00.html

'Some ranchers see 'predator friendly' as selling point with consumers' By BECKY BOHRER

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Contact info: The Gray Wolf Project:

Ed Bangs, Gray Wolf 'Recovery' Coordinator (406)449-5225 x204 or ED_BANGS@FWS.GOV

Mike Jimenez: (???)-???-???? mike_jimenez@fws.gov

The author truly hopes that wolves and humans can live someday without bloodshed.

Copyright 2004

All Rights Reserved.

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