Woodland caribou may lose endangered status
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - The federal government plans a new study to determine if the woodland caribou found in Idaho, Washington and Canada should continue to be protected as an endangered species.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct a new review of the Selkirk population of caribou, after deciding that removing them from protection "may be warranted." The animals were given endangered species protection in 1984.
The agency made that decision in response to a petition from the Pacific Legal Foundation, Bonner County in Idaho and the Idaho State Snowmobile Association. That petition contended the Selkirk population of caribou is not significant and not worthy of protection because large numbers of the animals live across the border in Canada.
But the Center for Biological Diversity said this is the last population of woodland caribou in the lower 48 states and should be protected.
"If it were up to the Pacific Legal Foundation, caribou, Puget Sound orcas and many other species would be allowed to go extinct in the contiguous United States simply because they also live in Canada," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "Scientists from both sides of the border have determined the southern Selkirk population is significant and needs protection to survive."
The agency originally proposed setting aside 375,000 acres in the two states as caribou habitat, an amount that produced an outcry from recreation groups, loggers and local government officials. In late November, the agency reduced that total to 30,100 acres in Idaho's Boundary County and Washington's Pend Oreille County, after taking public comment.
No one disputes that woodland caribou are struggling to survive in habitat south of Canada. Only four were tallied in northern Idaho and eastern Washington during an aerial census last winter, although the population is estimated to total several dozen animals.
In a decision last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it would conduct a new study of the Selkirk herd of caribou. The agency has twice before considered delisting caribou and rejected the idea both times.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct a new review of the Selkirk population of caribou, after deciding that removing them from protection "may be warranted." The animals were given endangered species protection in 1984.
The agency made that decision in response to a petition from the Pacific Legal Foundation, Bonner County in Idaho and the Idaho State Snowmobile Association. That petition contended the Selkirk population of caribou is not significant and not worthy of protection because large numbers of the animals live across the border in Canada.
But the Center for Biological Diversity said this is the last population of woodland caribou in the lower 48 states and should be protected.
"If it were up to the Pacific Legal Foundation, caribou, Puget Sound orcas and many other species would be allowed to go extinct in the contiguous United States simply because they also live in Canada," said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director for the Center for Biological Diversity. "Scientists from both sides of the border have determined the southern Selkirk population is significant and needs protection to survive."
The agency originally proposed setting aside 375,000 acres in the two states as caribou habitat, an amount that produced an outcry from recreation groups, loggers and local government officials. In late November, the agency reduced that total to 30,100 acres in Idaho's Boundary County and Washington's Pend Oreille County, after taking public comment.
No one disputes that woodland caribou are struggling to survive in habitat south of Canada. Only four were tallied in northern Idaho and eastern Washington during an aerial census last winter, although the population is estimated to total several dozen animals.
In a decision last week, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it would conduct a new study of the Selkirk herd of caribou. The agency has twice before considered delisting caribou and rejected the idea both times.
The problem with Woodland caribou is that they don't live in WA year-round and they are not a concern as a species as there are tons in Canada. The only reason we are protecting them is that the 49th parallel is at the VERY southern most portion of their natural range/habitat. It'd be like approving other northern BC/Alaska species for federal protection because they happened to stumble upon our very northern border. We are not destroying their habitat and they're not at risk of extinction, we just exist (and always have) at the extreme southern end of their range. I do not believe we should be using funding that is for saving animals who's main habitat is within the US to save an animal at the extreme edge of its range and has no concerns as a species.Â
Â
Also, to the person below who says they enjoy seeing wildlife in their natural habitat, I challenge you to go up into the Selkirk range and see if you can find one of these animals (or any animals). Its very unforgiving and I highly doubt (whichever the outcome) that going up into that area was part of your life plan.
Â
Lets use the money to save things like the California Condor who have nowhere else to go and are a concern as an entire species.
"If it were up to the Pacific Legal Foundation, caribou... would be allowed to go extinct in the contiguous United States simply because they also live in Canada" - Does anyone see the irony here? If they are abundant in Canada, then they would not be extinct. If they aren't truly at risk of being extinct (let alone even being endangered), then they rally don't need a protected status.
 @TP The ones from canada do not migrate down here.
@DarkParty @TP Me thinks no one told them that
Allow the extinction of an animal in the US because some dudes want to open up the lands for snowmobiles? Maybe I'm coming to the wrong conclusion there...
 @tennistime That's not the reason at all. The powers that be in Fish and Game want to make that same area a wolf sanctuary, there by insuring the demise of the Silkrik Caribou. By delisting them in SaWa it will take the heat off when they're all gone. Problem solved.
Well I am not a hunter so I say........ protect them.... I love to see wildlife in their natural habitats left alone..... okay bring on the hunters... :(
 @Funky-Munky If there are only several dozen, I would say go hunting in canada were the numbers are much greater. If they are hunted here, they will be gone in one season.
 @DarkParty You misunderstood me....... I was waiting for the hunters to attack my post... Ha!
Dark Party you are 100% on target. Most hunters love the âgreat out doorsâ and do not want to see the game animals extinct. We know that our license fees go to preserve habitat, thereby conserving the natural beauty and wildlife as well. When a specific area becomes over populated, you have hundreds of animals starve to death in a bad winter. The over population is caused because we have eliminated all but man from the predator list which controls population growth. Controlled hunting maintains a viable species population. The only other options are let thousands starve to death or have the Fish & Wildlife people go in, at taxpayerâs expense, and have large drive and kill operations. Hunting is controlled population control.    Â
 @Funky-Munky I think a good 90% of hunters are also conservationist and wouldn't want to deplete an animal population.