Palin: Her deadly wolf program disdain for science that alarms wildlife experts

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.salon.com/env/feature/2008/09/08/sarah_palin_wolves/ Includes link to Defenders of Wildlife video

-----

In 2007, she approved $400,000 to educate the public about the ecological success of shooting wolves and bears from the air. Some of the money went to create a pamphlet distributed in local newspapers, three weeks before the public was to vote on an initiative that would have curtailed aerial killing of wolves by private citizens. "The timing of the state's propaganda on wolf control was terrible," wrote the Anchorage Daily News on its editorial page.

"Across the board, Sarah Palin puts on a masquerade, claiming she is using sound management and science," says Nick Jans, an Alaskan writer who co-sponsored the initiative. "In reality she uses ideology and ignores science when it is in her way." The initiative was defeated last month.

Gordon Haber is a wildlife scientist who has studied wolves in Alaska for 43 years. "On wildlife-related issues, whether it is polar bears or predator controls, she has shown no inclination to be objective," he says of Palin. "I cannot find credible scientific data to support their arguments," he adds about the state's rationale for gunning down wolves. "In most cases, there is evidence to the contrary."

Last year, 172 scientists signed a letter to Palin, expressing concern about the lack of science behind the state's wolf-killing operation. According to the scientists, state officials set population objectives for moose and caribou based on "unattainable, unsustainable historically high populations." As a result, the "inadequately designed predator control programs" threatened the long-term health of both the ungulate and wolf populations. The scientists concluded with a plea to Palin to consider the conservation of wolves and bears "on an equal basis with the goal of producing more ungulates for hunters."

Apparently Palin wasn't fazed. Earlier this year she introduced state legislation that would further divorce the predator-control program from science. The legislation would transfer authority over the program from the state Department of Fish and Game to Alaska's Board of Game, whose members are appointed by, well, Palin. Even some hunters were astounded by her power play.

[flamingdem]

1. Rambo, oh how I wish this would be published as a full page in major

newspapers in all the swing states, with that photo.

[RamboLiberal]

2. Same here n/t

[flamingdem]

3. The PETA group is full of rich Hollywood people, maybe they will do something

They should be riled up big time.

[RamboLiberal]

4. I'd like to see this get publicized on KO or Rachel's show

I'm going to email them.

[depakid]

5. Sigh

This kind of thing is so far from PETA.

and just goes to show how ridiculous some people get with purveying nonsense.

[Bobbieo]

6. I believe Sarah Palin is a sociopath!

[Blarch]

7. My favorite thing about hunting is...

when the hunter accidentally shoots himself dead. Just seems so fitting.

[Wolfies Revenge]

8. bump

bump