Cheyenne's Howl

Printed in Mountain Messenger on Friday March 28, 1997

Yellowstone Wolf Killing

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This week I had intended to tell you about wolf pups as their eyes opened and they would see the beauty of the world for the first time. But today I am angry. Some of the beauty has been destroyed forever and I am going to tell you about a killing instead. I had promised Dad that I would not get political in my column but something has to be done to stop the irrational and vicious hatred that is exhibited by extremists in this world. I often wonder how many two and four legged animals would voluntarily be born on this earth if they knew how much unnecessary pain and suffering they could be facing at the hands of self-centered, egotistical, radical extremists.

$4,000.00 REWARD

for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for killing an endangered timber wolf in Yellowstone Park in January. This reward is offered by Defenders of Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Call 1 (800) 847-9367.

Once again, someone with an irrational and vicious hatred has killed another Alpha male wolf that had been reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park. This rare and beautiful animal was shot several times and its body then dumped into the Madison River. The person or persons who were responsible for this senseless crime are still at large. I cannot express the intense anger and sadness that I feel over this slaughter. Why is it that some men feel that they must kill everything they do not understand? Why is unwarranted killing such a macho ego trip? Why is it so much easier to fear and kill, than it is to learn? Why is it that so many men prefer to live for today without thought of the consequences that they cause for tomorrow? When is man going to learn to respect Earth Mother and all of her creatures and live in harmony with all things, as did the original Native Americans?

In 1995, when the first wolf was shot and killed in Yellowstone, a reward was put up by Defenders of Wildlife and the wolf's killer was turned in. He was sentenced to three months in prison, three months more in a community release program, and ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution. Help Defenders find this latest murderer.

I know that times are hard, but I encourage those of you who can to support Defenders of Wildlife. Any amount that you can spare will help them to continue to educate people about wolves and the importance that we are to the environmental balance. As I mentioned in a previous column, they have a wolf compensation fund that compensates ranchers for wolf-related livestock losses. They also help ranchers protect their livestock and have made a cash award to another for allowing a wolf to give birth and raise pups on his property. Write to Defenders at 1101 14th Street NW, Room 1400, Washington, DC 20005. Together, with the tool of education, we can all live in harmony.

Cheyenne