Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Oct 13, 2004 23:15:23 GMT -5
Kitfox I think we are on the same page more so than not. There are still some philosophical things we slightly disagree on, I could right a few paragraphs on the notion of changing what people want, and the baggage and instant rebellion that goes along with that. But more so I want to let you know I agree with you full heartedly that education is an intergral part to helping wildlife. In fact, I believe it is the most important part. Education has so many flaws in it, so much ultra-optimistic ideals that do not hold up to realistic standards, but I will devote my entire life to helping educate folks on the importance of our wildlife. I have the utmost respect for you to help educate, and I know you know that it is just one piece of the puzzle, defenitly the biggest piece but a piece nonetheless. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help with your website. Sorry for the late reply on this one - been really busy. In short, I agree. I think we are on the same page on this one for the most part. In fact, I think that most people with a love for animals can agree to some extent. I only wished there were more of those people. =) We should start up more debates like this one, somewhat regularly, in their own threads. That would be fun. ^_^ It's great to be able to argue and learn from people and be friendly about it. It's not always possible to do that with some people. =)
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Oct 15, 2004 16:03:05 GMT -5
Since we were talking about the 'ol Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge a few posts ago, I just found out that its been listed as one of the top ten most endangered wildlife refugees in the country (due mostly to what Stinger posted before). So if you haven't gone yet, you defenitly should! Here is a quick description of it: It's located along the U.S.-Mexico border in southwestern Arizona, Cabeza Prieta is part of the largest remaining swath of undeveloped Sonoran Desert, one of the most biologically diverse deserts in the world. A lava-capped peak in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge gives this 860,000-acre preserve its name — which is Spanish for “dark head.” The refuge is distinguished by its eight ragged mountain ranges and its vast stands of palo verde trees and saguaro cacti. More than 90 percent of the refuge is designated wilderness — the largest refuge wilderness in the lower 48 states. The refuge also shelters the fastest and one of the most endangered land mammals in the Americas — the Sonoran pronghorn. Its worth the trip...................
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Oct 27, 2004 16:49:24 GMT -5
Got some great Jaguar news from down in Southern Arizona!! More pictures of Jaguars were taken in the Tumacacori Highlands area. Here is some quick info about the Jaguar: Jaguars are elusive and shy cats that were once more common in Arizona and New Mexico. Throughout the early and mid-1900’s, they were persecuted for their pelts or were perceived as a danger to livestock. They are now an Endangered Species. A decade had passed without confirmed evidence of jaguars in the United States until 1996 when two males were photographed in separate locations in southeast Arizona. Since then, 6 more photographs of the cat have been documented. Looks like they are making a slow comeback! Click on the link if you'd like to see the recent photos, and learn more about them!
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Oct 27, 2004 16:58:20 GMT -5
And here is a quick tidbit of info for all you dam hating folks out there (if there are any besides me ) The Childs dam at Fossil Creek (a great place to go and enjoy wildlife) will be decomisioned and torn down by New Years. The general area will also be ecologically restored by 2009. I am not sure if there will be any negative impacts to existing, post-dam habitat or not? I know Eaglewoman knows more about the area than I do. Hey Eagle, what do you think about this?
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Stinger
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Cowboy Up!!
Posts: 183
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Post by Stinger on Oct 27, 2004 18:34:09 GMT -5
Crow, Thanks for posting the stuff about the Jaguar, I read the article on AZGFD site and meant to post something about it but as usual I forgot! So, thanks again man!! Now on to the dam stuff!! ;D I am torn on this subject, part of me thinks dams can be beneficial, for instance places like Az, Nv, and Ca would not have a lot of their electricity without the Hoover Dam and I wonder what would happen to the SW Willow Flycatcher without Roosevelt Dam in place. The flip side of me realizes that dams are very destructive to the environment and landscape, creating problems such as the current situation in Fossil Creek and what is going to happen to SW Willow Flycatcher since the new 70ft was added to Roosevelt Dam and if that lake ever reaches full capacity. I dont know if you were looking for a debate-type thing on this subject, just some ideas I have in my head. "...now does anyone have any dam questions? Yeah, where can I get some damn bait!?" National Lampoons Vegas Vacation
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Oct 27, 2004 20:41:33 GMT -5
Stinger, that movie is a classic... =) I'm also torn about the dam issue. It's a great source of energy, but like nearly every decent energy source it has a poor effect on the environment in one way or another. The answer is probably moderation, but how much? I saw that jaguar thing and I was thinking about posting it, but I also forgot. That sure is cool, though. I love big cats, and I hope to work with Cheetahs some day. Jaguars are similar to Cheetahs, so that'd be so awesome to be able to see one. Of course the likelihood of seeing a wild jaguar in AZ one day is very small. =)
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Oct 27, 2004 20:53:37 GMT -5
I have some sad news. Unfortunately the ferret spotlighting for tonight was canceled due to bad weather, so it doesn't look like I'll be able to participate in the research. I left around 4 to head out towards Kingman, which is about where the ferret spotlighting was to be held. Before even leaving the NAU campus I got in a car accident. I was stopped at a red light, and a student hit the car behind me, causing that car to hit me. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the two cars behind me suffered some damage. My car was fine (at least, not noticeably worse than it already is) but the officer who arrived on the scene said I had to stay for the report. The entire ordeal took about an hour and a half, and I knew I wouldn't make the ferret spotlighting event in time. I drove back to my dorm to retrieve the GAFD rep's number so that I could let him know I'd be late, and I had an email saying that the event was canceled, and that he hoped I got the email in time. If not for getting in an accident I would have wasted the entire night driving out there, being confused that no one was there, and then driving back. So I guess getting hit was a blessing in disguise. K, my boring story is finished. See you all at the meeting tomorrow night (which I might actually be awake for now!).
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Oct 28, 2004 12:19:46 GMT -5
(Stinger, that quote had me laughing my ass off!! Nice one man! ) Howdy folks...... First let me place a little background to my argument, because my stance on dams may be due mostly to a biais within myself, and if thats the case then my argument may be worthless. I grew up running rivers, every year one of my family members would have a river permit or two and we'd head on out. And when your on a river for 2-3 weeks straight, and that world is your world, a lot of things begin to look differently. In fact, much of my personal philosophy comes from rivers. A river is like life, you never know whats around the next bend (for example). Anyway, these ribbons of life have an important place in my heart. That said, here it goes....... The problem with dams and the notion of electricity for the people in general is that those dams represent an extremely small portion of dams that are built overall. Sure there is the Hoover Dam, an eyesore to me, but even I have to admit its an amazing feet of human engineering and imagination, and it helps out humans a great deal with the electricity. Most dams are in place though for river diversion, or industy electricity only, not the people. This being the case there are many more alternatives that are harmless to the environment that these organizations can use. Instead they completley alter a rivers ecosystem. This effects terrestrial wildlife, aquatic wildlife, important sediment flows and general water quality to a great deal. As far as energy goes, did you know there is only one river in all of Arizona that is free from major dams? It is the San Pedro river, down South. One river! If its energy we need, why do we choose to utilize water, the most rare resource in the desert? We have pleeeenty of sunshine for solar use, yet because we are content with our current system we refuse to change, regardless of the consequences. If you dam a river, the biological and environmental interfearence that takes place immeadiatly after is drastic. Overtime, a new environmental regime sets up due to the dam, and to our eyes, things may seem OK, but overall the loss of biodiversity and habitat, as well as the changes to riverbank and floodplain ecosystems is indeed extreme. As far as the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher goes, its true, we can create lakes all over Arizona due to dams and improve that one birds particular habitat. But we have to remember that at one point, before dams, it was not endangered at all. The problem was is that we gobbled up its habitat, and due to our water irrigation and dam placement, we drastically increased the population of a flood plain bird, the Brown-headed Cowbird. This bird then decimated the Flycatcher population by nest parasitism, and this was due to dams. If we use dams as a reason for creating new flycatcher habitat, not only are we destroying habitat for many more animals, but we are looking at the short term population and not thinking about the long term. SRP is actually wanting to raise Roosevelt River so that the dam works better, thus destroying all the habitat that was created for the flycatcher anyway! It sucks! Well, I think thats about enough rambling for me today. If you all would like to check out alternatives to dams, there is a great document titled "Beyond Dams: Options and Alternatives". Its in pdf form and you can read it here if you'd like: www.irn.org/basics/ard/index.asp?id=BeyondDamsReport.htmlEnjoy the snow everyone!
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Nov 5, 2004 18:17:25 GMT -5
I just got this in me email and figured I'd pass it along in case any of you are interested. Help Keep Eastern Wolves Safe Dear DEN Activist: JaguarI am writing because we need your help on an important wolf issue. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed removing federal protections for the gray wolf in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions of the United States. Wolves once roamed throughout this entire region of the United States until they were effectively removed after years of human persecution from bounty programs and government-financed trappers. With the assistance of federal protections, wolf populations have slowly recovered in small areas of their historic range. Currently, approximately 3,000 wolves roam throughout Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin however, no viable wolf populations exist in the Northeast. This proposal threatens to preclude wolf recovery efforts in the Northeast by limiting recovery success solely to the Great Lakes region. This proposed rule overlooks the Service's responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act to restore gray wolf populations to the Northeast despite the recent studies showing that suitable habitat and an adequate prey base in the northeastern forest could provide a home for up to 2,000 wolves. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Please go to the DEN Action Center at www.denaction.org and send an e-mail to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service urging them to reject the proposal to delist gray wolves in the East from Endangered Species Act protections. Comments are due NOVEMBER 18, so please send your message right away. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Nina Fascione Vice President, Species Conservation Defenders of Wildlife BACKGROUND: For more information about Defenders wolf recovery efforts, please visit www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/wolves.html. For more information about the proposed rule, please visit midwest.fws.gov/wolf/
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Nov 5, 2004 18:41:42 GMT -5
Thanks for the info Kitfox .....glad you joned up with the Denlines, its a pretty informative listserv, and especially since it deals a lot with local wildlife.
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Nov 5, 2004 23:25:46 GMT -5
Hehe, yeah, and now I can beat you to the postings.
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Nov 15, 2004 21:56:06 GMT -5
Well.....here is some interesting Condor news. And for all you folks attending the Telemetry workshop this Friday, your job might get a little easier if we can get more of these GPS trackers on our wildlife! Ah, who am I kidding, we'll always still be out there in the field doing on the ground tracking the old fashioned way (like you'll learn this Friday), these GPS thing-a-ma-bobs are just to damn expensive! "So far this year, scientists with the Arizona Game and Fish Department and The Peregrine Fund have placed eight transmitters on various condors in Arizona. They hope to place eight more transmitters on condors over the next few months and have the devices on half of Arizona's free-flying condors by the fall of next year. The condors wear the transmitters on their wings, and the devices send messages to a satellite, so scientists can monitor condor movements both within Arizona and to other states. The transmitters are giving us precise locations daily, and we have been able to track several 300- and 400-mile trips for a few condors. They've gone to Utah, Nevada, and Colorado. In March, the bird known as Condor 196 spent eight days working its way more than 400 miles, from the Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona to southeastern Nevada and then to southern Utah."
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Nov 18, 2004 15:21:39 GMT -5
Man...I don't know about you guys, but I have been hearing a ton of bad stuff lately in regards to the Polar Bear. Everything form radio programs, to scientific journals, to local news shows has ran something about the decline and eventual extinction of the Polar Bear lately. For example: GLOBAL WARMING PUSHES POLAR BEARS TOWARD EXTINCTION The Arctic Impact Assessment, a four-year study by 300 scientists funded by the United States, Canada, Russia, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Finland warns that the global warming could drive polar bears to extinction by the end of the 21st century. Polar bears cover tremendous expanses of sea ice to hunt seals, but global warming is causing the ice to melt away more rapidly each year. The extent of sea ice in the Arctic has decreased about eight percent in the past 30 years, resulting in the loss of 386,100 square miles—an area as large as Texas and Arizona combined. The sea ice in Hudson Bay now breaks up two and a half weeks earlier than it did 30 years ago, causing female polar bears to weight 55 pounds less due to lost hunting opportunities. The effects of global warming are appearing faster and most dramatically in the northern hemisphere. Some parts of the Arctic are warming ten times faster than the rest of the planet. The average winter temperature in Alaska, western Canada and eastern Russia has risen four to six degrees in the past 50 years and is predicted to increase another seven to 13 degrees in the next hundred years. Scary stuff!
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Kitfox
Mexican Grey Wolf Member
Posts: 149
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Post by Kitfox on Nov 18, 2004 17:14:40 GMT -5
Yeah I've been hearing about that too. It's a real shame. What's unfortunate, and correct me if I'm wrong, is that there's no real possible solution to this problem. Global warming is a real issue, but we're still not even sure what causes it. And even if we can come to some kind of an agreement as to the cause, there's not much we can do to stop it without changing the way the entire world runs - which would be great, but it's not going to happen.
I'm not real educated on this issue, so has anyone heard any proposed solutions to global warming that are reasonable? Unfortunately I haven't...
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Post by Whiskey Jack on Nov 19, 2004 17:06:17 GMT -5
Being an Environmental Science major, I learned a little more than I wanted to about global warming. This is an insanely scary topic to me, because the implications that come with global warming are bleak as can be, and the worse part of it is that folks still do not believe that it exists! Basically, there is no stoping it now. We have already created a nightmare, and foolishly did nothing about it, and now it is too late. But, there are long term solutions that can be implemented on a global level. Have you heard of the Kyoto Treaty? Bush currently refuses to join it, as he still believes that there is no proof global warming exists (contrary to the data of thousands of scientists across the world.). That would be a good place to start to see some progressive solutions to global warming if your interested. The last Wildlife Society conference in Safford a year ago was based on global warming (and other conditions brought on by it, including drought in some areas) and how it will effect wildlife. They brought in a bunch of experts, and what they spoke about was startling to say the least.
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