The COVID-19 Threat To America’s Wildlife

[bearpaw]

an issue many people have overlooked...

https://dailycaller.com/2020/04/10/the-covid-19-threat-to-americas-wildlife/

[bbarnes]

I posted about the sick elk already but how about all the non profits that waste our donations.in addition all the parks and game departments that do the same the wildlife is better without them.

[dwils233]

I view the threat from COVID to our wildlife differently but very real. The funding damage to conservation orga, both immediate during fundraiser season with events shutdown, when combined with longer term threats die to the economy are going to be very destructive to their operations. Funding to wildlife MGMT and sciences will be quickly on the chopping block for both private and public funding as money constricts or moves towards other funding.

The biological threat does exist, but the other impact is already well underway and will continue long after the shutdown. Just thinking of the INWC and the big Horn show makes me shudder when I hear how critical it was for their funding. And that's going to happen to every org everywhere

[bearpaw]

I view the threat from COVID to our wildlife differently but very real. The funding damage to conservation orga, both immediate during fundraiser season with events shutdown, when combined with longer term threats die to the economy are going to be very destructive to their operations. Funding to wildlife MGMT and sciences will be quickly on the chopping block for both private and public funding as money constricts or moves towards other funding.

The biological threat does exist, but the other impact is already well underway and will continue long after the shutdown. Just thinking of the INWC and the big Horn show makes me shudder when I hear how critical it was for their funding. And that's going to happen to every org everywhere

agreed, a lot of good is done with the money raised by many different conservation orgs

[bbarnes]

Then why has there been basicly nothing given from all of these fundraising organizations to the SICK ELK in our state?? We've lost at least 1/2 If not 2/3 rds and all WDFW wants to do this year is encourage hunters to kill the sick elk this year.Also if you do put your name in a drawing to a special hunt LOL.What a great management statagy and still not looking into the chemicals being sprayed as the cause.

[Bob33]

Hard to argue with ignorance.

https://tdn.com/news/local/foundation-contributes-to-study-elk-hoof-rot/article_f97721f2-55cb-512b-8446-4c99e0f0e162.html

[bbarnes]

I knew about the hundred grand .I made the trip to the RMEF in Missoula 3 years prior to that the day after the bill 5474 was signed by the governor.They only decided to donate money after the sick elk started to show up in other states and was getting close to home base.Lets fast forward 3 years forward and WDFW has no one working on this issue and from the conception of this NOT ONE ELK HAS BEEN SAVED!!!!!!!!!The bill was written so WSU and WDFW were to work together on this and they have Abandon ship.The point here is while all these non profits are asking for cash for memberships to help homelessness or elk alive these dollars pay to keep lights on wages benefits health issuance paid LONG before one dollar is spend to help wildlife.Due a little research at how many full time employees RMEF has nation wide how many building they own etc etc etc it's all public info there a no profit.

[huntnphool]

I knew about the hundred grand .I made the trip to the RMEF in Missoula 3 years prior to that the day after the bill 5474 was signed by the governor.They only decided to donate money after the sick elk started to show up in other states and was getting close to home base.Lets fast forward 3 years forward and WDFW has no one working on this issue and from the conception of this NOT ONE ELK HAS BEEN SAVED!!!!!!!!!The bill was written so WSU and WDFW were to work together on this and they have Abandon ship.

 I take it that you were not sent the survey from WSU last month?

[bbarnes]

I've been involved with this from the first die off on the mud flow to present day.I'm up to date on any and all information including the last two 5 YEAR STUDYS that were done by WDFW.Where it states these elk have about a three year life span in infected areas and to date NOT ONE HAS RECOVERED FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[huntnphool]

I've been involved with this from the first die off on the mud flow to present day.I'm up to date on any and all information including the last two 5 YEAR STUDYS that were done by WDFW.Where it states these elk have about a three year life span in infected areas and to date NOT ONE HAS RECOVERED FROM IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Maybe so, but to say WSU has “abandoned ship” is dishonest!

[bbarnes]

I'm not saying that I'm saying that there is VERY LITTLE COLLABORATION from WDFW who is TASK with maintaining the Heath and herd size of our ELK!!!!!!! Read the BILL 5474 in its inherently and tell me if that's whats happenening here???

[huntnphool]

I'm not saying that

 Looks like that’s exactly what you said.

The bill was written so WSU and WDFW were to work together on this and they have Abandon ship.

 

[pianoman9701]

I'm unsure that the biggest threat to all US wildlife from this pandemic are the poor sick elk. It appears that's where this thread has been turned.

I've been involved with BBarnes in the hoof disease debacle from almost the start. He's a dedicated conservationist who writes and acts out of concern for our wapiti. That may occasionally color his views. I'm unsure that he or I know the steps that WSU has taken to make the study more scientific and less politically-driven. It was crystal clear to any of us who've participated for the last 10-12 years that when WDFW was in charge, there were members of the panel involved who were representatives of industries which had financial interests in showing the cause was not due to the effects of logging along with chemical use. I believe, as he does, that smoke was being blown and all of WA citizenry were being made to fart smoke rings. It is my sincere hope that WSU has changed that tack.

As far as the contributions of the RMEF are concerned, about 90% of their donations go back into elk habitat, peripheral issues such as predators, and science donations. They have a 4-star rating from Charity navigator. I don't know how much they've put into Hoof Disease specifically, but I imagine it goes into at least the tens of thousands. I'll try to find that.

[wolfbait]

The wolves and uncontrolled predators have/will take care of WA wildlife...WDFW are counting on them.

[Pinetar]

And now we have another pack in the West Nanuem area that WDFW are actually going to list soon as a new pack.

[ballpark]

And now we have another pack in the West Nanuem area that WDFW are actually going to list soon as a new pack.

That is not why elk #'s are down.  And it's not because of predators.  Get onboard - it's because of the extreme winters we've had, probably - maybe