Grey Wolves Are Back

[Judge]

Could be bad news for ranchers on the immediate side of the border with California. Lots of livestock losses last year from this particular endangered species. Awkward...

Sierra Valley wolves are back, efforts to not have a repeat of last year

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

I don't see how wolves returning to their former range is a bad thing?

My father worked, volunteered, restored habitat, and donated his whole life with the hope to see wolves repopulate the west.

He was also passionate about the California condor, wild horses, eagles, whales, beavers, etc.

We are not the native species here.

Native predators create a healthy ecosystem with less disease.

 

[Judge]

I don't see how wolves returning to their former range is a bad thing?

Too many farm/ranch animals in the vicinity who become their prey. When insurance companies quietly lobby to do whatever they can to "terminate" the proximate cause. And then of course to factor in farmers and ranchers who would just assume not have to make such claims to insurers.

The rest of us? We tend to favor wildlife conservation in general...especially when it comes to endangered species. They may be effective predators, but their pack numbers are relatively small.

Of course policy also varies depending on which side of the border is involved. And all the legislators, lobbyists and special interests doing their thing, hoping not to be seen or heard.

 

[Aspychata]

We have a lot of wolves where l live. The bunnies disappeared. I saw a wolve at nite crossing the road.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

We have a lot of wolves where l live. The bunnies disappeared. I saw a wolve at nite crossing the road.

I thought at first, there are no wolves in Florida. This link below shows interesting information on the history of and current state of wolves in Florida and there might be a stray wolf here or there in the state:

Grey Wolves in Florida

I don't know what is eating your bunnies, but it is probably not wolves. I double checked and the Burmese pythons have not migrated up to your area, although occasional individuals might be seen.

 

[Judge]

I thought at first, there are no wolves in Florida. This link below shows interesting information on the history of and current state of wolves in Florida and there might be a stray wolf here or there in the state:

Grey Wolves in Florida

I don't know what is eating your bunnies, but it is probably not wolves. I double checked and the Burmese pythons have not migrated up to your area, although occasional individuals might be seen.

I had the same thought about wolves in Florida. But with so many other creatures in that ecosystem it sounds cool. I'm also wondering if Florida had the same blight Nevada did a few years ago regarding rabbits and hares.

They all disappeared for a few years, but are slowly coming back now.

About RHDV2

"Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious, often fatal, foreign animal disease of rabbits and hares. Since Nevada's first detections in spring 2020, NDA has continued to monitor and investigate the rabbit/hare population for the disease. RHDV2 is easily transmitted between rabbits/hares, and the virus can persist in the environment for extended periods of time. Detections confirmed in counties in several areas of the state further underscore that there is no distance within the state, that can be considered 'safe'. "

Request Rejected

 

[monkeyclogs]

I shall share this news though we're a long way from the Sierra valley.

As part of a community wide project about lost species in our town's green spaces, the local children voted on which they'd most like to see return and picked the wolves there's now a painting in the community centre forecourt called the lost species with a wolf front and centre

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

I shall share this news though we're a long way from the Sierra valley.

As part of a community wide project about lost species in our town's green spaces, the local children voted on which they'd most like to see return and picked the wolves there's now a painting in the community centre forecourt called the lost species with a wolf front and centre

I’m delighted you posted this.

 

[Mary Terry]

I don't know what is eating your bunnies, but it is probably not wolves.

Probably feral domestic cats.

 

[Judge]

Probably feral domestic cats.

Lots of other carnivores in the mix up here. Anyone of them may have attacked the rabbits. Interestingly enough, as I just got up I looked outside to notice a desert cottontail coming down the slope, headed closer to my building.

I always marvel out how they move, even in very short spurts it's always with a distinctly defensive move, darting left to right and periodically looking sometimes in 360 degrees. Presumably for predators, given their instinctive behavior probably backs up many more possibilities than merely wolves which here are known for going after larger prey.

However next in line is a species that is far less selective about their prey, whether it may be wild or domesticated- coyotes, usually quite smaller than wolves and far more common relative to human habitats. Though it was Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 that by far ravaged our wild rabbit population locally.

 

[Mary Terry]

However next in line is a species that is far less selective about their prey, whether it may be wild or domesticated- coyotes, usually quite smaller than wolves and far more common relative to human habitats. Though it was Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 that by far ravaged our wild rabbit population locally.

We have lots of coyotes and a declining population of native red foxes. It's a running joke on Halloween when the coyotes are howling that they are werewolves.

 

[Judge]

We have lots of coyotes and a declining population of native red foxes. It's a running joke on Halloween when the coyotes are howling that they are werewolves.

Foxes....even more common predators after smaller game. We have at least three varieties of them here as well. Though they also tend to be far more elusive compared to the boldness of coyotes.

I've seen coyotes that seemed utterly indifferent to threats humans are capable of. Almost to a point of humor in some cases, seeing coyotes trot down a busy street as if they owned it.

Conversely I don't ever recall seeing a fox here in the wild...let alone in town. Would love to get a picture of one though.

 

[Yeshuasdaughter]

Coyotes are my buddies. I love em. I've been very close to coyotes on many many occasions. They're mellow fun dogs. Homeboys. I never will get the whole hysteria surrounding them.

 

[Mary Terry]

Coyotes are my buddies. I love em. I've been very close to coyotes on many many occasions. They're mellow fun dogs. Homeboys. I never will get the whole hysteria surrounding them.

I have no fear of coyotes, either. They're more scared of us than we are scared of them. When I had dogs, I'd see my dogs stop and listen to the coyotes' howling and barking. I wonder if domestic dogs and coyotes speak the same language.