NOVEMBER 2020 IN THIS ISSUE:
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.
~Margaret Mead
What a week (month! year!) it has been—nail-biting and nerve-racking, to say the least.
As an antidote to the widespread negativity and divisiveness, we are well-served to focus on the positive. For example, Colorado and Washington’s state wildlife agencies passed rules banning wildlife killing contests, while voters in Colorado supported Proposition 114, voicing their support for reintroduction of wolves in a state with much prime but still unoccupied wolf habitat. However, this significant win for wildlife —and the first time that voters have had an opportunity to weigh in on this issue via the ballot—is a stark counterpoint to the federal ruling last week removing protections for all gray wolves in the lower 48 states (except for a small population of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico), thereby leaving this iconic species vulnerable to state agency management—which has far too often translated into expanded killing opportunities through trophy hunting and trapping.
We are also fighting efforts to expand the killing of bears in Alaska and Missouri. At the federal level, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to allow hunting brown bears over bait and trapping Alaska’s iconic wildlife in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. In Missouri, the Department of Conservation’s proposed rule to allow trophy hunters to kill the state’s black bears could severely impact the slowly reproducing population and reverse decades of recovery progress. Read Project Coyote National Carnivore Conservation Manager Michelle Lute’s opinion editorial, Tell Missouri Department of Conservation not to allow trophy hunting of black bears, just published today in the Kansas City Star.
While unpredictability has defined so many of our lives of late, what is certain is that our work to defend North America’s wild carnivores continues unabated. Despite a global pandemic, political upheaval, and election chaos, our team continues to advocate on behalf of the Wild Ones who can’t speak for themselves, and to celebrate and cherish each victory and each step forward. We hope this edition of Coyote Chronicles will uplift and inspire you, and will help us all renew our belief that with our combined voices, a kinder world is not only possible, but probable.
With gratitude for your steadfast support ~ and for your compassion and caring,
Camilla Fox
Founder & Executive Director
REFORMING PREDATOR MANAGEMENT ~ CALIFORNIA
Project Coyote Advisory Board member Don Lipmanson, a devoted and steadfast member of our Pack who has represented us so capably in many legal matters over the years, is currently spearheading our collaborative efforts with Mendocino Nonlethal Wildlife Alliance (MNWA) to urge Mendocino County, CA, to permanently end their contract with USDA Wildlife Services and shift from lethal to nonlethal predator control. (Read more here.) After the County voted in July to approve a five-year lethal Integrated Wildlife Damage Management Program with Wildlife Services and to certify an Environmental Impact Report for the operation of the program, Project Coyote and MNWA (led by Don) filed suit against the County challenging the decision. A hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for mid-December.
Our team is thrilled that California’s Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1788 – the California Ecosystems Protection Act – into law, thereby placing a moratorium on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. Project Coyote, our coalition partners, and supporters, and innumerable other California citizens spoke up in support of this ban—and our collective voices were heard! Read more in this Letter to the Editor by Project Coyote Southern California Representative Randi Feilich.
Reforming Predator Management and Coyote Friendly Communities ~ California
As regular Project Coyote followers know, Project Coyote Southern California Representative Randi Feilich is a stalwart and indispensable member of our team and a fearless defender of wildlife. We were recently contacted by students at Occidental College in Los Angeles who were very distressed about a plan to trap coyotes on the college campus. Randi immediately notified the college that, as set forth in Los Angeles City Ordinance 183001, the proposed snare traps are illegal, as are any traps that maim or cause the inhumane death or suffering of any animal, including coyotes. She also provided information on Project Coyote’s Coyote Friendly Communities program. To our knowledge, the college’s administrators complied with our request to remove all set traps immediately, cease any plans to set additional traps, and notify all personnel involved that this trapping program has been terminated. Well done, Randi – and thank you, Occidental College!
In July, Randi played a major role in the investigation into illegal trapping in the community of Valley Village, CA. As a result of the dogged efforts of Randi and representatives of PETA, Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey has filed a felony cruelty-to-animals charge and a misdemeanor charge for use of an illegal trap against Richard Wallem, who allegedly set the rusty steel-jaw trap in Valley Village in which a coyote pup reportedly struggled in extreme heat for over 24 hours over the Fourth of July weekend. Project Coyote and California’s wildlife are incredibly fortunate to have Randi as an advocate!
Reforming Predator Management ~ Maine
A proposed rule to ban predator killing contests and limit coyote hunting statewide is currently under consideration by Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Project Coyote is working directly with the petitioner on this issue, in part by activating our Maine supporters on this issue and testifying at the recent hearing. The proposal appears to have substantial support and we are optimistic that the outcome will result in Maine’s predators being afforded greater protections under the law.
Reforming Predator Management ~ Washington
On September 11, Washington became the seventh state to prohibit wildlife killing contests (joining AZ, CA, CO, MA, NM, and VT). The rule, issued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, prohibits the killing of unprotected species including coyotes, bobcats, crows, foxes and raccoons as part of a contest. Our team, our coalition partners, and our supporters coordinated efforts to help ensure that this ban was enacted, and we are grateful to everyone who lent their voice to this cause. “Wildlife killing contests are a bloodsport just like dogfighting and cockfighting, which have been outlawed nationwide,” said Project Coyote Executive Director Camilla Fox in the coalition news release announcing the victory. “We commend Commissioner Barbara Baker and the entire Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission for relegating these ecologically and ethically indefensible events to the history books.”
Reforming Predator Management ~ National
In a letter to the CEO of Chewy.com, Project Coyote and a coalition of conservation organizations urged the supplier of companion animal food, toys, and other products to end their sale of Farnam Rodentex Multi-Feed Bars, which contain the deadly rodenticide diphacinone. As we continue to advocate for an end to wildlife killing contests in every state in the country, we will also continue to speak up for a nationwide prohibition against toxic rodenticides.
Reforming Predator Management ~ KILLING GAMES ~ Wildlife In The Crosshairs
Our groundbreaking film KILLING GAMES ~ Wildlife In The Crosshairs continues to bring awareness to the grisly spectacle of wildlife killing contests. Most recently, the film made its international debut at the Kraków Green Film Festival in Poland. If you are interested in hosting a screening in your community, please fill out the information here.
Coyote Friendly Communities ~ National
With the capable guidance and oversight of Program Associate Heather Cammisa and Massachusetts Representative John Maguranis, Project Coyote continues collaboration with the National Animal Care and Control Association in coordinating nationwide efforts to encourage coexistence between people, domestic animals, and our native predators. In addition to our namesake Song Dog being featured on the cover of the summer issue of NACA’s Animal Care & Control Today, the magazine also included an article on Coyote Ecology by Project Coyote Vermont & New Hampshire Representative & Wild Canid Ecologist Chris Schadler and Project Coyote’s Dogs and Coyotes factsheet. We look forward to engaging further with NACA!
Ranching with Wildlife ~ California
Last year, Project Coyote—as well as hundreds of other organizations and individuals—submitted comments to the National Park Service’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on the General Management Plan for Point Reyes National Seashore (PRNS) and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The DEIS addressed issues related to the tension between private ranching concerns and native wildlife (primarily tule elk) in PRNS. Project Coyote spoke out against expansion of ranching in the park arguing that such a proposal will only increase conflicts between wildlife and livestock. The final Environmental Impact Statement released by the Park Service in September tilts in favor of continued commercial livestock and crop production in the Park. Read Project Coyote Wildlife Educator Sarah Killingsworth’s thoughts here, Project Coyote Science Advisory Board member George Wuerthner’s comments here, an overview of the issues here, and a short film by Comfort Theory about the park’s imperiled Tule Elk here.
Reforming Predator Management and Ranching with Wildlife ~ California
Project Coyote teamed with Davis, CA’s Sudwerk Brewing Co. in their limited release of Lassen Pack IPA, a very special, small-batch beer honoring California’s only known wolf pack. Lassen Pack IPA was released for sale on October 8 (in California only) and is expected to sell out quickly, so buy yours before it’s gone! Proceeds will benefit Project Coyote‘s Reforming Predator Management and Ranching with Wildlife programs, which promote wolf recovery and humane, non-lethal solutions to reducing conflicts between wolves (and other native carnivores) and livestock. (This unique partnership also got a shout-out in the October 15 edition of Earth Island’s Island Wire online newsletter.)
Science and Stewardship
As members of the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Ethics Committee, Project Coyote Wildlife Educator Sarah Killingsworth, and Project Coyote Ambassador Daniel Dietrich adhere to strict standards of ethical conduct towards and responsible photography of wildlife and encourage others to do the same. This month, NANPA features Sarah and Daniel in a blog post about Choosing an Ethical Photography Workshop.
Science Advisory Board members Adrian Treves and Dr. Francisco Santiago-Ávila recently published Liberalizing the killing of endangered wolves was associated with more disappearances of collared individuals in Wisconsin, USA, in Scientific Reports online journal.
National Carnivore Conservation Manager Dr. Michelle Lute recently published Conservation professionals’ views on governing for coexistence with large carnivores in the journal Biological Conservation.
Science Advisory Board Member Joanna Lambert has been featured in numerous media outlets this year:
The Colorado Sun (discussing research in Lambert Lab) – Coyotes figured out how to survive in the city. Can urban Coloradans learn to coexist? (Jan. 6, 2020)
Washington Post – Colorado Voters will decide whether to bring back endangered wolves (Jan. 13, 2020)
The Revelator – Will Voters Welcome Wolves Back to Colorado? (Feb. 5, 2020)
CBS Denver – University of Colorado Professor Educates Students on Complex Gray Wolf Issue (Feb. 25, 2020)
The Daily Sentinel – Wolves and pandemics: Let’s not get medieval (Mar. 31, 2020)
Popular Science – The real reason we’re seeing more wildlife during the pandemic (Apr. 9, 2020)Video aired on CBS and NBC – Why are we howling like wolves at night? (Apr. 17, 2020)
CU Today – As rare animals disappear, scientist faces ‘ecological grief’ (June 11, 2020)
LA Times – Trump administration drops gray wolf from endangered species list (Oct. 29, 2020)
Project Coyote Events
Project Coyote was fortunate to be included at the 5th Annual P-22 Day & International Urban Wildlife Festival on October 24. Last year over 8,000 people attended the party for this famous mountain lion at his home in Griffith Park. This year, his Wildlife Wonderland party was presented virtually ~ making it easy for attendees to explore the wild world and learn about how to coexist with mountain lions and other wildlife. Governor Gavin Newsom ~ who just last month signed AB 1788 into law, thereby placing a moratorium on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides in California ~ appeared virtually at the Festival, joining the Grammy-nominated band the Black Pumas, Congressman Adam Schiff, actress Julia Butters (Once Upon a Time In Hollywood) and so many others.
Project Coyote has been a long-time participant in Wildlife Conservation Network’s Fall Expo, one of the world’s preeminent events for conservationists, and the line-up of speakers is always second-to-none. As might be expected, this year’s event was virtual and took place on two successive Saturdays—October 10 and October 17. We were honored to have been included on both days, and we encourage all to attend next year’s Expos and to support this amazing organization.
On September 20, Executive Director Camilla Fox joined Jill Fritz of HSUS at the Taking Action for Animals Online conference for a feature presentation entitled “Working in coalition to end wildlife killing contests.”
On November 12, Camilla and Jill Fritz will again join forces for a virtual presentation as part of Sedona Wolf Week. Following the video session, Camilla and Jill will participate in a live Q&A session. More information here, and view the entire schedule here.
Project Coyote once again teamed up with FLOAT.org to offer a variety of beautifully designed T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts featuring our one-of-a-kind COYOTE ~ MADE IN AMERICA designs (created by FLOAT.org exclusively for Project Coyote) celebrating America’s Song Dog—the Coyote. The campaign was originally scheduled to run for one week, but was extended for an additional week when musician and animal activist Moby joined the cause! Thanks to all who purchased our FLOAT swag helping to support our campaign to end wildlife killing contests ~ and thanks as well to Advisory Board member Peter Coyote for lending his support and voice to this campaign.
Project Coyote Webinars
Project Coyote (in collaboration with The Rewilding Institute) has initiated an informative and engaging series of webinars. If you missed any of these we record each one and provide them on our website for easy viewing and sharing; to date, speakers and topics include:
- Science Advisory Board member Dave Parsons and The Rewilding Institute’s Kim Crumbo: Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery
- Science Advisory Board member Dr. Adrian Treves: A Critical Evaluation of Legal and Illegal Killing of Native Predators
- Wildlife Educator Sarah Killingsworth: An Inside Look at the Intriguing, Elusive Bobcat
- Science Advisory Board member Dr. Joanna Lambert: Fear, Wild Things, and Coexisting with Predators
Stay tuned for news about upcoming presentations! Check out our webinar and events page for upcoming presentations!
Project Coyote’s Team Is Growing
Michelle L. Lute, PhD
NATIONAL CARNIVORE CONSERVATION MANAGER
Please welcome Project Coyote’s new National Carnivore Conservation Manager, Dr. Michelle Lute, who joined our team in September after a months-long search and the exhaustive review of over one hundred applications. As her biography notes, Michelle has extensive experience in both academia and the nonprofit world and will be a key player in our nationwide efforts to reform predator management and create a more compassionate world. Read Conservation professionals’ views on governing for coexistence with large carnivores, a paper Michelle co-authored that was recently accepted for publication in the journal Biological Conservation.
Project Coyote’s Social Media Team
Finally, we extend a huge shout-out to our amazing Social Media Team! Under the eminently capable oversight of Social Media Coordinator Felipe Gonzales, our core team of Program Associate Fauna Tomlinson, Ranching with Wildlife Coordinator Keli Hendricks, Program Associate Erin Hauge, Program Associate Kim Boester, Social Media Intern Aspen Stevanoski (who was recently interviewed about coyotes on a local television show), and Creative Manager Deb Etheredge, this small group has expanded our social media reach enormously in the past year—our posts now reach almost three million eyes and ears! We are incredibly fortunate to benefit from the multi-faceted skills of this amazing group of individuals and grateful that they have chosen to share their formidable talents with Project Coyote.
Project Coyote Team Recent Publications and Podcasts
Camenzind, Franz, Song Dogs ~ Understanding Jackson Hole’s Most Musical Resident (JHStyleMagazine.com, Summer-Fall 2020)
Killingsworth, Sarah Killingsworth, and Dietrich, Daniel, Choosing an Ethical Photography Workshop (NANPA online blog, Oct. 16, 2020)
Killingsworth, Sarah, Resistance Radio Interview with Derrick Jensen (Nov. 1, 2020)
Lambert, Joanna, Trump administration drops gray wolf from endangered species list (LA Times, Oct. 29, 2020)
Lute, Michelle L., Carter, Neil H., López-Bao, José V., and Linnell, John D.C., Conservation professionals’ views on governing for coexistence with large carnivores. Science Direct
Lute, Michelle, Tell Missouri Department of Conservation not to allow trophy hunting of black bears (Kansas City Star, Nov. 6, 2020)
Lute, Michelle L. and Perryman, Heidi, Coe Lewis Podcast: “Coexist: Conversation for Conservation” (Nov. 27, 2020)
Santiago-Ávila, F.J., Chappell, R.J., Treves, A., Liberalizing the killing of endangered wolves was associated with more disappearances of collared individuals in Wisconsin, USA. Sci Rep 10, 13881 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70837-x.
RECENT NEWS
Coyotes in Atlanta – How to keep them from becoming a problem on your property (11alive.com, Sept. 20, 2020)
Bixby, Kevin, Why Hunting Isn’t Conservation, and Why it Matters (Rewilding.org, Sept. 22, 2020)
Chamberlain, Kendra, Armed with new research, ranchers rethink depredation (NM Political Report, Sept. 22, 2020)
Noor, Dharna, The Department of Agriculture Killed 1.2 Million Wild Animals Last Year (Gizmodo, Oct. 8, 2020)
Silverstein, Nikki, Marin Headlands’ Coyotes Tracked (pacificsun.com, Oct. 14, 2020)
Walther, Aleta, CIG, ATG, CTA, A Coyote is so Much More Than a Cat-Eating Canidae – Interpreting the Misinterpreted (Northwest Passages Newsletter, Fall 2020)
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