Speak up for Washington's Wildlife
Participate in the Fish and Wildlife Online Survey Action needed by August 25, 2005 The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is asking for public input to help to determine "the major issues to consider for the 2006-08 hunting seasons." Although a "citizen panel of conservation and hunting representatives," identified the issues for consideration on the survey nearly all 93 suggestions involve increasing the number and ways wildlife can be killed for sport in Washington. Given that only 5% of Washington residents hunt, it is hard to believe that the current list of suggestions accurately represents the interests of the majority of Washington's citizens. In fact, a public survey commissioned by the WDFW and published in the 2002 Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the state's Game Management Plan, revealed that:

• "Hunting for the purpose of obtaining a trophy was clearly not supported by the general public."
• "In general there is less public support for hunting cougar, black bear, and furbearing animals than most other game species."
• "The majority of respondents from the general public did not support introduction of non-native species and were split on the release of game birds to improve hunter success."
• "Sixty four percent of the general public did not think it is the WDFW's role to encourage participation in hunting, and while a majority of hunters do think it is the Department's role, a surprising 39 percent disagree."
• "Somewhat surprising though perhaps related to the previous finding, was the general public's lack of support for providing special youth hunting opportunity."

Grizzlies being delisted? Good news or bad? You decide.
The grizzly bears of Yellowstone National Park may soon be taken off the endangered species list with the encouragement of the Bush administration and the National Wildlife Federation. When grizzlies were listed as threatened in 1975, there were about 200 to 250 of them in the Yellowstone area. Now their population is estimated to be about 600, and growing by about 4 percent to 7 percent a year, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The success of the Endangered Species Act can be seen over time, but the government and the public has to be patient enough to see it work. Animal rights groups have mixed opinions on whether or not the removal of the bears from the list is a good idea. "If the Yellowstone grizzlies are taken off the list, a Forest Service protection plan in six national forests that surround the national park would sharply limit road building, camping, and oil and gas exploration, while retiring existing leases for livestock grazing" (The Seattle Times). Other environmentalist groups don't think this plan is reliable because they don't believe the White House will uphold it. What do you think? Contact your state representative with your opinion. You can contact the National Wildlife Federation at www.nwf.org. An article in The Seattle Times wrote about this recent issue and can be viewed here.

Spotted Owl Populations On The Decline!
The situation is tense surrounding the declining spotted owl populations here in Washington state. Two-thirds of the known owl nesting sites in our state have been abandoned. Some of the steepest recorded declines are occurring in the Cascades east of Seattle. The owls' plight is the direct consequence of the logging industry's relentless monetary motivation. Owl's nest in the broken tops or "chimneys" of extremely large, old trees-precisely the ones the logging industry looks for as they are worth a large sum.

Not only is there a threat by the logging industry, but also the barred owls who have recently taken up residency in the Northwest. Barred owls, have come from Eastern Canada and have been documented to be somewhat of an aggressive bird known to kill or mate with the spotted owl.

Other emerging threats to the spotted owl include the West Nile virus, which is known to kill birds, and the increasing likelihood of fires wiping out huge chunks of overgrown forest.

For more information on this delicate issue surrounding the spotted owls please read this article posted in the Seattle Post Intelligencer August 9, 2005: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/235802_owl09.html Please help save the spotted owls of Washington State as they are in serious need of it! Contact the following organizations and voice your opinion.

Washington Forest Practices Board: By law, the board is charged with establishing rules to protect the state's natural resources while maintaining a viable timber industry.
FPB Rules Coordinator
DNR Forest Practices Division
PO Box 47012
Olympia, WA
98504-7012
Phone: 360-902-1400

Washington Forest Protection Association
724 Columbia ST. N.W. Suite 250
OLYMPIA, WA 98501-0000
Phone: 360-352-1500

Weyerhaeuser Company
P.O. Box 9777
Federal Way, WA 98063-9777
Local: (253) 924-2345
Toll Free: 1-800-525-5440

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A Northwest leader in protecting animals since 1967, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) shelters homeless animals, rehabilitates injured and orphaned wildlife, and empowers people to demonstrate compassion and respect for animals in their daily lives.