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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 13, 2020)
B4 THE ASTORIAN • TuESdAy, OcTObER 13, 2020 Conservationists to challenge federal decision to not protect wolverines By COURTNEY FLATT Northwest News Network Conservation groups are vowing to again challenge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s decision not to add wolver- ines to the Endangered Spe- cies List. The groups say wol- verines are iconic species in high mountain snowy habitat, which is greatly threatened by climate change. Ten conservation groups had requested the federal government list the elusive predators. There are likely fewer than 300 wolverines across its habitat across the Moun- tain West, which includes populations in Washing- ton state, Idaho and Oregon, where 90% of their habitat is on federally managed lands and wilderness areas. Dave Werntz, of Conser- vation Northwest, said listing the elusive wolverines would “help bring a focus to wolver- ine conservation.” “It would mean better planning, better consideration and — in some places — reducing the threats that are putting the wolverine at risk of extinction,” Werntz said. Wolverines depend on remote, snowy habitat to bur- row dens in the springtime. Climate change projections show that breeding habitat is at risk, according to Timothy Preso, an attorney with envi- ronmental advocacy group Earthjustice. “Literally, the wolver- ines’ snowy habitat is melting away. There are things that can be done, short of stopping climate change, to help the wolverine,” Preso said. For example, working on reintroduction efforts in areas that appear likely to stay snowy. Preso said those types of recovery efforts have been “held up” by the lack of fed- eral protections. Even though wolverines are known for their ferocity in the wildlife world, they’re greatly impacted by human disturbance — activities such as roads, forestry practices and snowmobile use. The bear-like members of the weasel family are also threatened because their num- bers are mainly in small, scat- tered populations. That means if disease or some other natu- ral disaster were to strike, it could wipe out large sections of the remaining wolverines, Werntz said. Threatened and spotted In Oregon, wolverines are listed as a threatened species. A few years ago, a wolverine was spotted in the Wallowa Having Difficulty Hearing People with Masks? Mask wearing eliminates vital visual information like watching another’s lips move to understand speech. This is a problem for those with hearing loss. Steve Kroschel/U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Wolverines, which look like a small bear and are part of the weasel family, are rare in the Northwest and are listed as threatened in Oregon. Mountains in the northeast- ern part of the state. “What I think that indi- cates, is that if we give the wolverine a chance and lend them a hand, they can recover. They are incredibly resilient, and they are very tough. But they need some help to ensure that they have a future in this country,” Werntz said. In Washington state, wol- verines are candidates to be listed as threatened. A wol- verine mother and her kits were recently spotted at Mount Rainier National Park. Biologists hope that wildlife crossings and underpasses will allow wolverines to travel from the state’s North Cascades to other habitat fur- ther south in the Cascades. This wasn’t the first time wolverines were spotted in Washington’s Southern Cas- cades. But researchers hav- en’t seen signs of the first wolverines in the area in years. In Idaho, wolverines are listed as an “Idaho Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” Idaho’s Fish and Game Department says a threat- ened status is not warranted because there is “the high level of uncertainty related to climate change effects on wolverines and their habitat.” Pushed toward extinction Wolverines were pushed toward extinction by the early 1900s, from trapping and baiting for other preda- tors. Trapping is still allowed in Canada. When conserva- tion groups began petition- ing to list wolverines, Mon- tana still allowed anyone to trap one wolverine, according to Preso. That is no longer the case, but he worries trapping could resume in Montana. Conservation groups first filed a petition to add wolver- ines to the federal Endangered Species List in 2000. In April 2016, a judge ruled the fed- eral government had to make a decision about the wolver- ines’ status, but it didn’t set a deadline. The groups sued again in March 2020. Now, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said threats to wolverines aren’t as sig- nificant as scientists believed in 2013, when it proposed to list wolverines as threatened. In a news release, the service said wolverine populations “remain stable.” “In the time since our original proposal, the sci- ence on wolverine (sic) has been greatly advanced thanks to the work of state wild- life agencies and research- ers in the U.S. and around the world,” Noreen Walsh, regional director for the ser- vice, said in a statement. The service also said wol- verine populations in the Lower 48 states are con- nected and “interact on some level” with those in Can- ada and Alaska. Therefore, it says, wolverines in the Lower 48 do not qualify as distinct populations. Preso said that reason- ing doesn’t track. He points to other species protected under the Endangered Spe- cies Act that also have north- ern populations, such as bald eagles, grizzly bears and grey wolves. “I don’t think most Amer- icans want a future in which we are fine with writing off wildlife in the Lower 48 because they still exist in Alaska,” Preso said. “That’s certainly not the vision that was enacted into law in the Endangered Species Act.” He said the pushback against listing the wolver- ine under the Endangered Species Act stems from the national debate over climate change. Peer-reviewed stud- ies show that 97% of actively publishing scientists agree that the warming climate is extremely likely caused by human activities. Lead with compassion Dear Annie: My son and I’m saying she’s dirty. daughter-in-law have been When she got pregnant married for about three years. again, I was not allowed to She used to be a very nice girl know until my son called when dating my son. When months later and told me they they told me they were getting were having twins. That’s married, it was just so that she why they were telling me — could be put on my son’s health because he said it wasn’t a insurance because she good time to come couldn’t work any- down, instead of just DEAR more. I was still happy. telling me she is preg- ANNIE nant (everyone else She sold her house and knew). He said there moved into his house. I live five hours would never have away, so when I visit, been all that arguing. I usually stay four My daughter-in-law days and play with my and I have not spo- ken since she became granddaughter, who is 9 years old. I was kid- ANNIE LANE pregnant nine months Creators ding around one day ago. She started mes- Syndicate Inc. saging me nasty when my son was things, saying it wasn’t leaving for work and I said, “Aren’t you going to any of my business why I kiss your wife goodbye?” She couldn’t come down. She yelled, “We don’t have that states, “STAY UP WHERE kind of relationship!” I quickly YOU ARE NOBODY LIKES YOU DOWN HERE ANY- shut my mouth. When I used to go down, WAY.” So we started arguing I would ask if I could take back and forth. my granddaughter for a walk, I was talking with my doc- but now she always says no. tor about this, and he says to She says she doesn’t trust me. stay away from her. What do She accuses me of all kinds of I do if I’m invited to birthdays things that are not true. When or the twins’ christening? She I tell my son what she says to took away my bonding time me, he always answers that’s with my granddaughter. I don’t just how she is. Once my son want to be around her, but I and his wife went to a ball- want to see my grandchildren. game, her mother was babysit- — Shut-Out Grandma ting at her house because I Dear Shut-Out can’t be trusted. I had noth- Grandma: Your daughter-in- ing to do, so I vacuumed the law does sound unstable, or house. When they came home, certainly like she believes you she had a fit. She considers that cannot be trusted. That must be so hurtful for you as a grand- mother, and I’m sorry you are going through this. Grandpar- ents are a gift to children, so let’s try and find a way for you to be back in their lives. You should attend events if you are invited. Birthdays and christen- ings are memorable days that you don’t want to miss. When you’re there, focus on the love you have for your grandchil- dren and your son. If you can take it a step further, send your daughter-in-law some love. Clearly, she is hurting deeply. Have an open and honest con- versation with your son about your feelings. Tell him you are willing to go to family coun- seling or do whatever it takes to have a relationship with him and your grandchildren. Don’t give up on them. How someone treats you is a statement about who they are as a human being, not a state- ment about you. How you respond is a statement about you. When you are with them, it’s probably best to avoid making any comments what- soever about their marriage. Of course, you were right in your comment about a kiss good- bye, but that makes her even angrier. If she says hurtful things again, don’t engage in an argu- ment. Remember she is hurt- ing and that is why she is act- ing out. Act with compassion, and keep being there for your son and grandchildren. Miracle-Ear needs 15 qualified candidates to participate in a field test study in determining the benefits of a new hearing instrument in the Warrenton and Tillamook area. We have a limited supply of the Genius 4.0 test product currently on hand and ready for testing. We have also been authorized to offer significant discounts if you decide to take the hearing instruments home. If you choose not to keep them, there’s no risk or obligation of any kind. 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