Idaho Fish and Game Plan to Kill 4,000 Ravens, in a misguided effort to help the Sage-Grouse

[Beringia]

http://www.all-creatures.org/alert/alert-20140405.html


By Jim Robertson

A couple of weeks ago, I came across a small news article explaining that the Idaho Department of Fish and Game had received a permit from the United State Dept. of Agriculture (I think it was Ag) to kill 4,000 ravens. This is proposed under the guise of protecting the sage-grouse, which, I believe, is being added to the endangered species list. The sage-grouse does need protection but here’s the problem. There are 19 factors that have caused their populations to decline, most the result of human activity. Predation by other creatures is #12 and ravens are the only ones that have been singled out, although there are many. Killing ravens will do little if anything at all to mitigate the problems the sage-grouse face.

On April 4, there was news that the state plans to start placing poisoned eggs in three separate areas of the state sometime this spring. The ravens are hard to kill with guns, the article said, because they are so smart. There is still time to stop this if we try.

I was so upset that I took it on myself to create a petition and I hope some of you will consider signing it.

There is a bias among many people against ravens and crows–their voices are not lyrical and some people see them as bullies or as symbols of evil. But recent studies show that they are among the most intelligent creatures on earth and actually may be the most intelligent. They have complex societies, young stay with their parents for years and they even have a ritual that humans would call a funeral when one of their own dies. Killing 4,000 of these remarkable birds will reverberate through their community for generations.

And just so you know, I have NO financial or professional interest in this. It is a simple act of love. I have long adored ravens and crows. And Edgar Allen Poe, too.


Sign the Petition
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/114/241/939/state-of-idaho-to-kill-4000-ravens/

Jim Robertson's Blog
http://exposingthebiggame.wordpress.com/

Related article
http://magicvalley.com/news/local/poisoning-ravens-to-help-sage-grouse/article_4cd847e4-bbae-11e3-82ee-001a4bcf887a.html

[JJChambers]

1. I would rather we protect the endangered species than a nasty old raven.

Just my opinion but there are plenty (maybe too many) ravens.

[Beringia]

2. The point being made

is that there is no justification for killing the ravens. The ravens have a negligible effect. It is loss of habitat brought on by humans that is mostly responsible for the grouse being in danger. Also the populations of ravens will just rebound in a few years.

[BlindTiresias]

3. Ravens are extremely intelligent though

Their intelligence approaches sentience if it is not already there. There being "alot of" a sentient species is no justification for the mass murder of that species. Furthermore, the causal link between the Raven and the endangered Grouse is dubious.

[hatrack]

9. Yes, because it's up to us to protect the Good Animals from the Bad Animals . . .

See also:

The Wind In The Willows
The Jungle Book
Old Mother West Wind
Peter And The Wolf

And other outstanding works of conservation biology.

[BlindTiresias]

4. Thankfully

Ravens are extremely intelligent and possess language, so attempts to murder them are often unsuccessful. They can recognize and avoid individuals with guns and knowledge of firearms as individuals using firearms spreads extremely quickly. I would not be surprised if some ravens die from eating the poisoned eggs and the ravens communicate with one another to avoid eggs.

[Beringia]

5. I read that too

Audubon said they learn to avoid people with firearms, (or maybe he said that of the crow?).

I hope they do outwit the poison eggs.

[Boreal]

6. Thank you

for bringing this to my attention. I signed the petition. I hope it does some good.

Nature does not need "management". I detest these agencies that have taken that role and often shoot, poison and drown helpless and innocent creatures.

[IDemo]

7. I posted about this a couple of days ago-

And now, they want to spend $100k to poison the ravens. Nevermore!

"They believe there is anecdotal information suggesting that ravens could be causing sage grouse populations to decline." - http://www.eastidahonews.com/2014/04/state-to-spend-100k-to-poison-ravens/

Well, THERE's some hard-hitting wildlife biology for ya'!

[Beringia]

8. I missed your post

What was the title of your post?

[IDemo]

10. Sorry, it wasn't an OP

Here was the OP: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4796708

And here was the sub-thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4797187

[Beringia]

11. thanks