The Marmot Recovery Foundation and the provincial ministry / bioligist (the ones who bought you the wolf kill) are encouraging hunters to kill wolves and cougars in areas near marmot habitat.
Article and letter in the Times Colonist:
Here is my letter:
To encourage the killing of wolves and cougars (even if it will help marmots) is unethical and hypocritical coming from a conservation organization. How can you advocate the saving of one wonderful creature and then advocate the killing of another wonderful creature?
Lets stop scapegoating cougars and wolves and look at the real reason the marmots are endangered; habitat loss (in other words humans). How about a 'people cull' to save the marmots? Starting first with provincial biologists who use questionable science to support their rabidly pro hunting / anti predator views? Then we could go on to people who can't seem to see that the marmots did just fine, among plenty of wolves and cougars, before we came along!
Stop looking for a 'quick fix' scapegoat and start looking at the real reasons for declining populations!
I will not support any agency that encourages hunting and will encourage any else I can to do the same.
Chris Dakin
Victoria, BC