Wildlife
Contents:
Pacific Fisher
On January 27th, 2008, the Pacific fisher returned home to its habitat in Washington for the first time in over eighty years. The fisher, a relative of minks and otters, was eliminated in the state due to over-trapping and the loss of the big trees and snags found in old-growth forests.
In 2002, Conservation Northwest partnered with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to initiate the reestablishment of a native population of fishers to the forests of western Washington.
To see a slideshow of images from the fisher release in Olympic National Park, go to the Conservation Northwest web site by clicking on the link Fisher Release.
To read press coverage of fisher reintroduction, including video footage, click Fisher Press Coverage, also on the Conservation Northwest web site.
Wild Turkeys
Subject: Juniper Group Sierra Club comments on the release of Turkeys
The Juniper Group Sierra Club requests that ODFW discontinue the release of turkeys in Oregon until a review of turkey management plans is completed as required by the controlled species sections of the Wildlife Integrity Rules. I believe that releasing turkeys without conducting biological evaluations and doing a review to assess impacts to Oregon's native fauna and flora is wrong and it will violates the intent of ODFW's own regulations. I personally don't like the idea of ODFW releasing turkeys into the wild with the intent that they are just there to provide hunters a bird to kill. There is no other reason that ODFW would introduce a non-native species unless there was pressure from hunters wanting another species to kill. It is known and extremely well documented that the introduction of exotic animals and plants can harm and disrupt the abundance, distribution, and existence of native species. ODFW NWST determine if turkeys will have any impacts on native species. I believe ODFW resources (budget dollars) should help the recovery of native wildlife populations and habitats rather than spending money and introducing exotic species. Turkeys are classified as a controlled species under OAR 635-056-0070 and are subject to management activities as allowed by OAR 635 Division 44. These rules do not address the release of turkeys for the purpose of establishing self-sustaining populations. ORS 498.052 prohibits the release of captive breed and imported wildlife in Oregon without a permit. In order to justify the release, ODFW should qualify itself under its own standards before doing so. Therefore, I request ODFW provide evidence that the release of turkeys will not have a destructive and harmful effect on native species; resource dollars are not used for turkey introduction that could be better spent on native species restoration, and that ODFW adhere to its own mandates.
Marilyn Miller
Conservation Chair
Juniper Group Sierra Club
Gophers
Re: Proposal to kill Northern Pocket Gophers
I am appalled at your proposal to kill Northern Pocket Gophers on 980 acres near Sunriver and near Paulina Lake Road. Your plan lacks sensitivity, compassion and is definitely not based on science. Gophers have been a part of the natural ecosystem for thousand of years, as has fire. Nature has shown to scientists over and over again that "Nature does know best".
Gophers aerate and loosen soils, especially the type of soils Central Oregon and the high desert tends to have. Can you please explain to me how the forests have grown over the past thousand years, and done quite well, with gophers in their midst?
Trapping is not the answer. How many more innocent wild animals, domestic dogs, domestic cats and other non-targeted animals have to be caught in traps before the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Deschutes National Forest and other Oregon public agencies wake up? I do not condone my tax money to be used for such purposes.I noticed in your article it said "The risk to other animals is minimal because MOST poisoned gophers die underground, and other small animals USUALLY don't invade active gopher tunnels". I would like to know how many non-targeted species you think is okay to die from poison that is not meant for them. Is it okay to poison sensitive species such as wolverines, fishers, and martens? Can you promise me that the poison won't kill any other mammal that may live in that area? I do not believe you can. How long does this poison stay in the soil? What if a Raven eats the gopher that does not die underground? How will it affect the animal that eats the poisoned carcass?
I have taken the time to give you my public comment that you requested. I would like you to contact me and discuss other options for the control of Northern Pocket Gophers besides killing them. Have you considered live trapping? Relocation?
Marilyn Miller
Conservation Chair
Juniper Group Sierra Club
