Finally! Finally, a bit of positive news for wolves, a bill that doesn’t just compensate ANY livestock owner for a confirmed wolf predation but to those who are implementing non-lethal methods as deterents. See the story below and share your comments!
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011:
John Kitzhaber, Oregon Governor, signed the state wolf compensation bill Tuesday. It creates a $100,000 fund to pay ranchers who lose livestock to the legally protected wolves.
Aaron Kunz has reaction from those who could benefit from the newly established fund.
The Livestock Compensation and Wolf Co-Existence bill goes into effect right away with Kitzhaber’s signature. The funds will be given to eligible ranchers that lose livestock confirmed predated by wolves.
Eligible ranchers are those who utilize non-lethal methods to deter wolf attacks.
The group is hailing this new law as a demonstration of the state’s commitment to reducing conflicts between wolves and ranchers.
Suzanne Stone is the conservation group’s northern Rockies representative. She says, “We are really very pleased with the signing of the bill. We worked very hard to get that legislation passed this year and felt it was a very solid compromise that brought both the ranching interests as well as the wildlife interests together.”
Ranchers in Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa County are among those who could benefit from this fund. Cattle rancher Ramona Phillips says it’s a good first step.
*More information can be found in Oregon’s Daily Astorian.
The Wolf Preservation Blog 