Dear Secretary Haaland,
I'm emailing you today to request that you keep the Endangered Species Act protections for our grizzlies in the lower 48 States. These beautiful animals have not made the comeback that some say. If the hunt is allowed to happen, we might as well say goodbye to these wonderful creatures.Without this protection, the species could be in danger of not surviving. Their territory is already being so encroached upon that they are struggling to find the food and space to live.
You have such a hard decision to make but I hope that you will realize how Grizzlies and our gorgeous wolves must have federal protection. Bear hunters don't care about these animals and their souls. All they care about is the thrill of the kill and having a huge trophy to stuff at the end. Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon is terribly wrong about his reasons behind why he wants control over the Grizzlies. He himself is a hunter and that says it all to me in my humble opinion.
The Mortality rate of the Grizzlies was discussed in an article in "The Sheridan Press" in November of 2021.
"Grizzly bears are dying at a record pace in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
There have been 63 known grizzly bear mortalities in the three-state area in 2021, according to the study team, with 42 deaths reported inside the primary conservation area for the species.
Of the deaths within the Demographic Monitoring Area (DMA), 30 were in Wyoming, including 18 euthanized in management decisions. There were also 21 deaths reported outside the DMA, including 13 management removals in Wyoming."
I pray that you will see the need to veto this petition and let him and other trophy hunters know that these animals are not for them to kill. These Animals have a greater purpose. They are part of keeping the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in balance. Predators are an important part of a healthy ecosystem. Predators remove vulnerable prey, such as the old, injured, sick, or very young, leaving more food for the survival and success of healthy prey animals. Also, by controlling the size of prey populations, predators help slow down the spread of disease. The impact of a predator on prey is balanced. If a predator is removed from the ecosystem, the population of prey tends to surge and have damaging effects on other areas of the ecosystem such as vegetation or other small game if the prey is carnivores. I studied about this important information and I've been teaching it on a 2nd- grade level to my students. If my 2nd graders understand the importance of balance in an Ecosystem, then Governors should also be held accountable to learn understand this very important scientific concept.
Thank you so much if you have read all of this. Please, think about what I wrote and do the right thing and keep the Grizzlies protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Sincerely,
Sheila Staley
Animal Advocate and 2nd Grade Teacher
If you'd also like to help, please contact Secretary Deb Haaland
HERE:
Contact Deb Haaland
Phone: 202-208-7960
Email: Deb.haaland@doi.gov
***The group, Bear Defenders posted this on Facebook and what they said was very powerful.***
De-listing grizzly bears is not the answer to any problems, and is by no means a way to "celebrate" their years of conservation. We need stronger laws and rules to abide by while in grizzly territory. Every year, dozens of grizzly bears are killed- be it by car, ranchers, wildlife officials or poachers. We encroach on their homes and give them little space to roam and live without running into humans. Grizzlies are continually faced with man-made obstacles and de-listing them is not the answer. Hunting them is not the answer. Not now, not ever.
You can reach them @ https://www.beardefenders.org/
All photos borrowed from Bear Defenders FB page.
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