THE IRONY OF THE HUMAN BEINGS WAY OF THINKING: WE HONOR OUR TOP PREDATORS BY LABELING CARS, BALLCLUBS AND SCHOOLS WITH THEIR NAMES.....................WE THINK NOTHING OF EXTRIPATING THEM THE MOMENT WE PERCEIVE THEM CAUSING US THE LEAST INCONVENIENCE

COLLEGE NICKNAMES AND MASCOTS

Albert E. Gator — the male alligator mascot of the Florida Gators of the University of Florida.

Archibald Eagle - official mascot of the University of Southern Indiana

Avalanche the Golden Bear -- The costumed bear mascot of the Golden Bears of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania.

Awesome Eagle - costumed mascot of the Golden Eagles of Tennessee Technological University (Tennessee Tech).

Azul the Eagle — costumed mascot of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Baby Jay — costumed sidekick and smaller version of Big Jay, the mascot for the Jayhawks of the University of Kansas.Baby Owl - second mascot of Temple University; more of a child-friendly mascotBaldwin the Eagle — the American bald eagle mascot of Boston College

The Bearcat - name of University of Cincinnati mascot.

Blue Jay — Johns Hopkins University, Polytechnic Institute of New York University

Bobcat - the Bobcat mascot of Bates College.

Bobcat - the Bobcat mascot of Georgia College & State University.

Bobcat — a costumed Bobcat mascot of New York University.

Bobcat - the Bobcat is the mascot of Ohio University.

Bucky the Beaver — The stoic, determined, furry symbol of American River College in Sacramento.

Bucky the Beaver - The buck-toothed mascot of Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota

Bucky Beaver — Nature's engineer, the mascot of the California Institute of Technology, Caltech, in Pasadena, California

Bucky (or Bucky Bison) — the costumed bison mascot of Bucknell University

Bucky Badger — the lovable but mischievous badger mascot of the Wisconsin Badgers of the University of Wisconsin–Madison

Butch T. Cougar — the cougar of Washington State. The "T" stands for "The".

Clyde The Cougar — the costumed cougar mascot of the College of Charleston

Cool E. Cougar — Cougar mascot for the College of Alameda Commonly goes by Coolie. The 'E' stands for Education.

Corey the Cougar — The friendly cougar mascot of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Havoc the Wolf — the costumed wolf mascot of Loyola University New Orleans

Howl the Red Wolf — the newest costumed mascot of the Arkansas State University

Jinx the Jaguar — the costumed jaguar mascot of IUPUI

Joe Bruin and Josephine Bruin — the Bruins of UCLA

Klawz Da Bear — the costumed bear of the University of Northern Colorado.

LU Bison - the costumed bison mascot of Lipscomb University

Lou Wolf — a wolf is the official mascot of the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers; got a major facelift in 2001

 LLobo Louie— the costumed wolf mascot of the University of New Mexico

Monte the Grizzly bear — University of Montana

Objee the bear — the Coast Guard Academy's costumed mascot and, until 1984, a live bear kept on campus

Polar Bear — the mascot of Bowdoin College and Ohio Northern University

Pounce the Blue Panther — the mascot of Georgia State University

Pounce the Panther — the new (for 2007-08) mascot of the Milwaukee Panthers. It is also the official Panther mascot of Purdue University North Central since 2003.^[6]Power Cat — the tiger mascot of the University of the Pacific

Razor the Shark - Nova Southeastern University

Roc the Panther — the costumed mascot of the Pittsburgh Panthers

Rowdy the Red Hawk — is the mascot for Southeast Missouri State University

Rufus — the Bobcat mascot for Ohio University.

Sammy the Owl — of Rice University

Scarlet hawk — of Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago

Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat — the married costumed mascots of the University of Arizona.

Wild E. Cat — the official costumed Wildcat mascot of the University of New Hampshire.

The Wildcat — a costumed student who is one of three official mascots of the University of Kentucky, two of which attend games. It is also the mascot of Davidson College, but is also named Mr. Cat.

Wildcat Willy -- the mascot of Northern Michigan University.

Willie T. Wildcat-- The official mascot of Johnson & Wales University for both the logo and costumed mascot.

Willie the Wildcat — the costumed wildcat mascot of Northwestern University and Kansas State University. Despite having the same name, the two have very different appearances.

Wolfie — the mascot of Stony Brook University and Western Oregon University.

Wolfie (Jr.) — the second costumed wolf mascot of the University of Nevada, Reno Wolf Pack. Was the original mascot until 1999, but was reintroduced in 2007 with a younger, less menacing face. Rumored to be the original with a facelift.

BAT CONSERVATION.ORG WITH SOME VERY DIRE NEWS ON OUR COMMON LITTLE BROWN BAT

WNS: Regional Extinctions Likely

BROWN BAT GEOGRAPHIC RANGE View Larger Image           Little brown myotis, one of the most common bats in North America, could become virtually extinct in the northeastern United States within two decades because of White-nose Syndrome, according to research by Boston University scientists.   The study by biologists Winifred Frick, Thomas Kunz and D. Scott Reynolds was published in the journal Science. Based on previous population trends and extensive computer modeling, the team forecasts that regional populations of little brown myotis will collapse to less than 1 percent of their current numbers in 20 years – even if the WNS mortality rate slows. The long-term survival of remnant populations in these areas would be difficult, since females of most bat species produce a single offspring per year.   "If one of America's most common bat species can be dealt a deathblow, at least regionally in such a short time, what will happen to less secure species around the continent?" said Nina Fascione, Executive Director of Bat Conservation International. "This could cause great ecological, economic and cultural disruptions and damage."   "The results of this study are depressing, but not unexpected," said Mylea Bayless, Bat Conservation International's WNS Response Coordinator who has been on the front lines of the battle against this devastating disease. "For more than three years now, we have witnessed cave floors covered with dead bats. This study validates our long-felt fears. White-nose Syndrome is a tragedy of incredible proportions."   The little brown myotis is one of the bats most frequently encountered by humans. Its range includes almost every state and province in the United States and Canada. It has generally adapted to human encroachment and often roosts in old buildings, attics and other manmade structures. Little brown myotis and other species affected by WNS are insect-eating bats with enormous appetites for a wide range of pests that damage crops and forests and can cause human disease.    Before the discovery of White-nose Syndrome, Fascione said, no one would have predicted such a dire threat to little browns. The IUCN, the international organization that assesses the health of all species around the world, lists the little brown myotis as a "species of least concern" based on a 2008 assessment.   "This disturbing report very clearly demonstrates the urgent need for substantial funding to combat White-nose Syndrome," Fascione said. Fascione, with the formal support of nearly 60 other conservation organizations from across the country, urged Congress last May to provide $5 million for the fight against WNS. Lawmakers will be considering funding for White-nose Syndrome research and monitoring as they go through 2011 budget appropriations.   You can help BCI support efforts to combat White-nose Syndrome and other urgent bat-conservation issues. Visit www.batcon.org/donate

1884-1931 bounty kills of wolves and Cougars in Montana show Park County(adjacent to Yellowstone) as still solid habitat for our top dog and cat predators

AN ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBER OF MOUNTAIN LIONS (PUMA CONCOLOR) AND WOLVES (CANIS LUPUS) KILLED UNDER THE BOUNTY SYSTEM IN MONTANA, 1884 - 1962.  Figure AII.2. Number of mountain lion and wolf hides presented for bounty payment in Montana, 1884 - 1931.  

DESPITE BUFFALO NEAR EXTERMINATION BY LATE 1800'S, WOLVES AND COUGARS WERE STILL HANGING ON IN MONTANA......

 OUTSIDE(AND LIKELY INSIDE) GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYTEM, SIZEABLE POPULATIONS PERSISTED BEFORE THE FULL WEIGHT OF FEDERAL AND STATE LICENSED KILLING BROUGHT NEAR "LIGHTS OUT" STATUS.

Mountain lions were listed on the first state-wide Montana bounty law passed in 1884. The estimated number of lion hides presented for payment varied from 177 in 1908 to 0 in 1932 (Figure AII.1). Despite demand and an increasing bounty payment, lion hides became scarce in the late 1920's and ceased being presented for payment in 1930. Written bounty records after 1932 have been lost so that comparable data are unavailable. Conflicting reports exist. Nowak (1976) indicated 191 mountain lions were taken between 1930 and 1950 under federal animal damage control. Montana Fish and Game Commission (unpublished files) suggest fewer than 5 annually were taken statewide under the bounty system until 1950. The number taken then increased through the 1950s to 167 in the 1961-1962 biennium (Riley 1992).

Bounty prices increased from $8.00 ($269 in 1995 dollars) per lion and $1.00 ($34 in 1995 dollars) per wolf in 1884 to $25.00 ($270 in 1995 dollars) for either species in 1930. Wolf pup prices increased from 50 cents in 1884 ($17 in 1995 dollars) to $5.00 ($54 in 1995 dollars) in 1930.

Records taken from original bounty record books permit enumeration of bounty take by counties as they existed in 1900 (Table AII.1 and 2).   Park County, in southwest Montana adjacent to Yellowstone National Park was in the top 5 counties for density of lion and wolf take (number 5).135 136

Table AII.1. The total wolf and mountain lion bounty payments by Montana counties, 1900 - 1931. 1930 County Name	Adult Wolf	Wolf Pup	Total Wolf	Mountain Lion
Beaverhead	597	116	713	28
Big_horn	203	446	649	0
Blaine	80	125	205	1
Broadwater	77	6	83	6
Carbon	279	105	384	2
Carter	5	21	26	0
Cascade	694	558	1252	31
Chouteau	1111	2503	3614	35
Custer	2448	3082	5530	4
Daniels	1	0	1	0
Dawson	1083	1167	2250	8
Deerlodge	53	8	61	0
Fallon	51	118	169	0
Fergus	1043	1553	2596	35
Flathead	492	16	508	791
Gallatin	106	147	253	18
Garfield	3	25	28	0
Glacier	12	0	12	1
Golden Valley	3	0	3	0
Granite	31	2	33	20
Hill	76	55	131	0
Jefferson	71	2	73	9
Judith Basin	5	4	9	0
Lake	0	0	0	3
Lewis and Clark	250	119	369	33
Liberty	9	13	22	0
Lincoln	738	14	752	105
Mccone	4	17	21	0
Madison	122	18	140	14
Meagher	612	243	855	29
Mineral	0	3	3	8
Missoula	20	8	28	148
Musselshell	157	246	403	0
Park	405	58	463	67
Petroleum	0	0	0	0
Phillips	61	66	127	0

Cougar and coyote biologist John Laundre(a good friend of this blog) making a passionate case for Western Senators, Congressmen, Govenors and the general public to support Easterners who seek to re-wild our Eastern Woodlands with wolves and cougars

Time for the West to ride to the rescue!

      There is a growing effort in the eastern U.S. to try and restore ecological balance in ecosystems long abused by domesticated populations of white-tailed deer.  Groups such as the Cougar Rewidling Foundation, Coalition to Restore Eastern Wolves, and many others are trying to re-establish populations of the two top predators, cougars and wolves, into the East.  Using the West as a model, they point to the success in not only reducing excess elk herds in Yellowstone Park but in controlling their movements across the landscape.  Like good shepherds, wolves keep the elk moving and thus providing refugia for plants and subsequently animals.  Others have documented cougars doing the same with deer, safeguarding fragile riparian habitat.  Bolstered with the biological and ecological success of western wolf reintroduction, these eastern organizations have been raising their voices in hopes the same can happen there. 

  Unfortunately, their voices are ironically alone in this effort.  Too silent are those of western groups whose voices were heard loud and clear regarding wolf reintroduction into Idaho, Yellowstone, and the Blue.  I say ironically, because those western voices evidently have forgotten the role eastern voices played in their success.  People of the East actively supported wolf reintroduction into Yellowstone Park and elsewhere.  They did so by letters to their congressmen, by letters to editors, by donations to various western conservation groups, and ultimately by their travels to the Park to hear and see wolves, spending millions of dollars locally and convincing local businesses that wolves were indeed a good thing to have.  We all know that the citizens of Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona did not support the wolf reintroductions.  In fact, Idaho forbid their game department to participate in the whole process.  Western state senators and congressmen vehemently opposed the reintroductions.  If it had not been for the overwhelming support of eastern politicians, wolves would still not be in Yellowstone or anywhere else in the West. I would hope at the very least that Western senators and congressmen would unit in support of wolf and cougar reintroduction into the East at least in sweet revenge:  What is good for the West is good for the East!  But yet, their voices too, are silent.

Unfortunately, while eastern ecosystems continue to suffer the same fate of Yellowstone before wolves and eastern organizations look to the West for support from former allies, all we hear is silence.  Or worse, these same organizations mouthing the same old arguments THEIR opponents used against their efforts: too many people, not the right time, will be too disruptive, will not work, etc. etc.   Where is the unquestioned support for wolves and cougars, eastern supporters gave to these efforts?  We in the east rose up to support reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone Park yet no western voices rise in chorus for wolves or cougars in Adirondack Park, which is twice as big as Yellowstone!  Even the Florida panther, living in an area comparable in size to Yellowstone, is viewed by many as a "local" issue.  Has there even been ONE letter to the editor of a California newspaper concerning the need to return cougars and wolves to the East? How many western citizens concerned about wolves and cougars donate to the "eastern cause"? Do they not care that in an area almost equal in size of the "West", there are NO wolves, there are NO cougars.  It seems once their objectives were gained, their voices fell silent…"mission accomplished".  But restoration of top predators is not just about one small area or about the West overall.  It is about returning them to all their former range where it is possible and our voices, East and West, should not be silenced until that mission is accomplished.  So come on you western lovers of wolves and cougars join us now, raise your voices, pressure your congressmen, support the cause, do SOMETHING!  The lives of 1,000's of future wolves and cougars depend on it…the life of the Eastern ecosystems depends on it.  Don't abandon us in our hour of need. 
 

coyotes, wolves, cougars, wolverines in Cape Breton? Can any of our readers provide information for our friend Laura....see below

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rick Meril <rick.meril@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 5:49 PM
Subject: Re: coyotes in Cape Breton
To: Laura MacIsaac <sketchyedges@hotmail.com>

Laura..............I am going to publish your letter on my blog and ask for readers to respond to your request. I will also investigate and advise further. Many thanks for reaching out to me and if you ever come across any articles that you think our readers would enjoy perusing, please send them along.

 

All the best to you and hope that it has not been too hot this Summer up your way(as it has across most of the USA).

 

Rick 

On Sun, Aug 29, 2010 at 10:06 PM, Laura MacIsaac <sketchyedges@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi Rick Meril,

My name's Laura MacIsaac, and I came across your blog site looking for news about what was happening in the highlands of Cape Breton. I live in the southern part of Cape Breton, and the same species lives there. I can't find anything about any ongoing research projects. Do you know if there are any?

Thanks for reading,
Laura

We looked yesterday at the historical record of bison populations in Yellowstone..............Today we look at the history of our wanton killing of wolves since 1600 in the USA

Only 10 years after the Mayflower landed, the Massachusetts Bay , the demand for pelts sent hundreds of hunters out to kill . Wolves were shot, poisoned, trapped, clubbed, set on fire and Barry Holstun Lopez writes in Of 1870 and 1877, bounty hunters employed by the United States government killed approximately 55,000 wolves 385,000 wolf deaths in only seven years. between 1883 and 1918, 80,730 wolves were exterminated and $342,764 in bounties , with westward expansion in full-swing, "the United States Biological Survey Colorado offered a $50 bounty per wolf in 1909, while the offered $150 . Many of the bounties stood for years. In Ontario, Canada, the wolf western states were paying over $1 million dollars per year in predator control.

The Eradication of the Wolf

A History of Unfounded Hatred that nearly completely exterminating the

species from North America.

Unknown date: On a Saturday afternoon in Texas...three men on horseback rode

down a female red wolf and threw a lasso over her neck. When she gripped the

rope with her teeth to keep the noose from closing, they dragged her around the

prairie until they'd broken her teeth out. Then while two of them stretched the

animal between their horses with ropes, the third man beat her to death with a pair

of fence pliers. The wolf was taken around to a few bars in a pickup and finally

thrown in a roadside ditch.

The wolf was at one time, the most widely distributed large land mammal in the

world. Within North America, gray wolves formerly ranged from coast to coast

throughout Canada down through Mexico. The gray wolf inhabited the North

American continent long before any humans did -- for about 40 million years.

Before Europeans settled the US, wolves roamed the country.

The first documented wolf bounty was reportedly paid sometime between A.D. 46-

120, when Greek officials awarded five silver drachmas to a hunter for bringing in a

dead male wolf. Years later, in France, the Statutes of Charlemagne (A.D. 742-814)

recorded that "two hunters were to be employed in each French community to

destroy wolves." During the Middle Ages, Europeans bred large wolf-hounds and

mastiffs for the specific purpose of killing wolves and keeping wolves away from

farms.

Nov. 9, 1630:

The Massachusetts Colony was the first in North America to begin offering a bounty on every wolf

killed. Wolves were effectively eliminated from the eastern United States by the end

of the eighteenth century.

In the 19th century, ranchers moved into the western

plains to take advantage of cheap and abundant grazing land. Livestock took over

and the wolves' natural prey base retreated. Wolves began depredating on livestock and this led to a massive campaign

to exterminate wolves completely in the west. Professional "wolfers" working for the livestock industry laid outstrychnine-poisoned meat lines up to 150 miles longinoculated with mange, a painful and often fatal skin disease caused by mites.

Wolves And Men, "[people] even poisoned themselves, and burned down their own property torching the woods to get

rid of wolf havens."

Between

each year, for a total of

In the state of Montana alone,

were rewarded.

In 1907, Washington declared the extermination of the wolf as the paramount objective of the government,"and President Theodore Roosevelt labeled wolves "the beast[s] of waste and

destruction."

Government hunters destroyed the last known wolf in the Yellowstone

area in the 1940s.

In 1948, the Alberta government unleashed "an astonishing arsenal of

poison" on the wolves in that province. There is no record of the number

of wolves that were killed by the strychnine pellets, and 800 sodium fluoroacetate poison bait stations,

but among the "incidental killings" were 246,800 coyotes.

By the 1970s, only a few hundred wolves remained in the lower 48 states

(Northeast Minnesota and Isle Royale in Michigan), occupying less than

three percent of their former range.

The Move Westward: A partial timeline of the enactment of wolf bounties:

1630 Massachusetts Bay Colony

1632 Virginia Bay Colony

1695 South Carolina

1697 New Jersey

1793 Upper Canada (Ontario & Quebec)

1839 Newfoundland

1840 Iowa

1843 Oregon Territory

1861 Quebec

1871 Washington

1878 Manitoba

1884 Montana

1893 Arizona & New Mexico Territory

1899 Alberta & Saskatchewan

1900 British Columbia

1915 Alaska

Become an active voice for the wolf and

join the fight in securing their future survival in North America!

Alliance for the Wild Rockies

Renee Van Camp, Wolf Program Director

PO Box 8731

Missoula, MT 59807

http://www.wildrockiesalliance.org/issues/wolves/index.html

406-721-5420

renee@wildrockiesalliance.org