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Letter: Maine should stop coyote killing contests

A coyote makes its way through the snow in northern Maine. (Courtesy of Keith Dirago | Mainely Wildlife Photography)

I cannot even begin to comprehend how there are individuals in this state who take part in coyote killing contests, and that these barbaric events are allowed by the Maine Department of Inland Fishies and Game. I believe these contests are inhumane and serve absolutely no purpose other than to torture animals.

All creatures were put on this earth for a reason, and each species plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem balanced. Coyotes play an extremely important role in keeping rodent and small mammal populations in check. They eat the wildlife that harbor ticks, such as the white footed mouse, which is the principal natural reservoir for Lyme disease bacteria. Eastern chipmunks and shrews are also moderately competent reservoirs for the Lyme disease bacteria.

Lyme disease is a serious problem impacting a significant number of Maine residents. If we want to decrease the number of cases of Lyme disease in Maine, our lawmakers need to look at the big picture and truly understand how we can solve this. Killing the main predator of the white footed mouse and other small mammals, certainly is only going to exacerbate the spread of Lyme.

I encourage everyone who cares about a healthy ecosystem, working towards eradicating Lyme disease and for the ethical treatment of all animals, to please contact your state representative and senator and let them know your thoughts on this matter.

Janie WhitneyBar Harbor

Letter: Maine should stop coyote killing contests

Stop Congress’s Attack on Wolves and the Endangered Species Act!

Urge your Representative to Oppose H.R. 845!

The war on wolves is escalating in Congress, and they urgently need your voice!

U.S. House Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-CO) and Tom Tiffany (R-WI) have introduced a bill H.R. 845, that would strip wolves of their vital federal protections under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Even worse, the bill would block judicial review, preventing any legal challenges to this harmful and destructive legislation. Tell your Representatives to vote NO on H.R. 845!

The intent is clear: weaken federal oversight so more wolves can be killed. The last time wolves lost ESA protections, Wisconsin hunters slaughtered nearly 220 wolves in less than three days—almost twice the state’s limit. A judge later restored protections for most wolves in the U.S. (except in the Northern Rockies), recognizing the chaos that followed delisting.

With the deceitful name “Pet and Livestock Protection Act,” H.R. 845 perpetuates the myth that wolves are a major cause of farm animal deaths. In reality, years of state and federal data show that wolves are responsible for less than 1% of farmed animal deaths—far behind disease, weather, and natural causes

As history has shown, taking wolves off the ESA list guarantees their rampant killing and persecution. Please join us in advocating for proper protection for wolves—one of the nation’s most ecologically critical and iconic species.

Join us in urging Congress to vote NO on H.R. 845!

https://act.projectcoyote.org/a/hr845-petandlivestockprotectionact?emci=3e8d629f-d6ee-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&emdi=b4616e96-efee-ef11-90cb-0022482a94f4&ceid=5580059

Stop Brian Nesvik from leading the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service!

President Trump has nominated Brian Nesvik to head the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—a disastrous choice for wildlife. Nesvik has a long history of undermining the Endangered Species Act, prioritizing development over conservation, and failing to hold wildlife abusers accountable.

His leadership would put wolves, sage-grouse, and other imperiled species at even greater risk. We need a Fish and Wildlife Service Director who will protect wildlife and their habitat, not hand it all over to extractive industries.

Contact your elected officials today and urge them to oppose Nesvik’s nomination!

Your senators are CC’ed on the email message and will receive it with your representative.

https://action.wildearthguardians.org/page/79523/action/1?ea.url.id=3337343&forwarded=true

Three-legged predator grabs prey in view of visitor center at Iowa refuge, photo shows

It’s the third winter in a row the three-legged coyote has been seen at the DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges, and Rea is more impressed each time it returns — so much so he shared a photo of the resilient canid in a Jan. 10 Facebook post.

https://amp.fresnobee.com/news/nation-world/national/article298586258.html

“Beautiful creature”: Rare albino coyote spotted in British Columbia wilderness

True albino coyotes are extremely rare, and research on them is few and far between. According to a 1947 study out of the US, these animals are only found about once in every quarter million captured and are categorized as pure white, with pink paws, eyes, and foot pads.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/white-coyote-spotted-bc#google_vignette